According to the AV-TEST laboratory, more than 390,000 new malicious programs are detected every day. This amount of malware gives hackers virtually unlimited targeting options.

Users often make the same common mistakes that cybercriminals take advantage of.
Below is a quick overview of 10 common user mistakes and how to prevent them to keep your network secure.



10) Using public Wi-Fi networks
Never use public Wi-Fi networks to access your personal information. These networks are often insecure, and worse, they can be a trap. The bad guys know that when they look into a cafe for a cup of coffee, they expect to see a sign with the name of the local network “Coffeshop WiFi”.

Therefore, attackers create there a tempting (but malicious) access point for everyone who wants to access the Internet. And as soon as you connect to the network, a hacker can get hold of your passwords and other personal data.

The solution for this problem will be a VPN. Double VPN encrypt your data and make you completely anonymous online. You may ask what is a double VPN? Double VPN protects your data from any Internet theft and hacker attacks as reliably as possible. One of the most trusted VPN is VeePN. All US VPNs use high-level encryption to protect your data from hackers.

Want to pay bills or check your tax return? Do this from home, where you can be confident in the security of your network.

9) Disable User Account Control Features
User Account Control notifications (a component of the Windows operating system) can be annoying to the user, and he decides that the easiest way to get rid of them is to disable them.

However, these notifications are important because they inform the user about changes taking place on his computer, which allows him to manage updates.

If you turn off notifications, you are effectively giving hackers carte blanche: they can now make changes to your computer without your permission and therefore gain access to your files.

8) Responses to phishing emails
According to the Canadian government's Get Cyber Safe website, 80,000 users fall victim to phishing scams every day.

The next time you receive a phishing email that says you won the lottery, or that you need to “click here” to avoid tax fines or watch a “shocking video,” delete it immediately.

Most email systems have spam filters that block such messages, but before clicking on the link in the message, check the sender (and not only the name, but also the email address) and make sure it is a trusted contact.

7) Untimely software update
Failure to install required updates (for programs such as Windows, Java, Flash, and Office) is a mistake that plays into the hands of cybercriminals by allowing them to gain access to your computer.

Even a reliable antivirus solution can be powerless if popular software contains vulnerabilities. If you do not install updates on time, you do not receive new patches and thereby leave a loophole in your system that attackers can attack and steal your data.



6) Using weak passwords
Even if you use different passwords for different accounts, but they are not complex enough, you risk becoming a victim of brute-force password hackers. an attacker uses special password guessing programs to carry out an attack on your accounts. The shorter and simpler your password, the faster a hacker will crack it.

5) Using the same password for different sites in the absence of two-factor authentication
If you use the same password to log into your accounts on the websites of online stores, banks and government organizations, you are a godsend for a hacker. This so-called "daisy chain" allows them to access all of your accounts by hacking just one.

Use different passwords for different accounts and change them every six months. Of course, keeping several different passwords in mind is not easy, but it is better than eliminating the consequences of identity theft if the culprit gets to all of your accounts.

4) Webcam attacks
According to the Daily Mail, webcam attack can lead to intrusion into your privacy with serious consequences. A certain type of malware gives attackers remote access to your computer and the ability to turn on your webcam.

Your computer's camera is not as secure as other devices connected to the network, so the main indicator that your camera is turned on and possibly recording is a lit LED.
It is not enough just to cover the camera with tape: it does not block the sound. So make sure you know how to turn off your camera.

3) Downloading fake antivirus software
Each of you have encountered pop-up warnings that your computer will be at risk if you do not immediately download free antivirus software.

Attackers are adept at convincing users to download files before they realize what is happening: their favorite trick is to pass off malicious code as a virus scan program, which will certainly "help" the user to protect themselves from online threats.

However, one click on this link can block legitimate security solutions from being used on your computer. Always keep your antivirus software up to date with an integrated pop-up blocker to prevent unsafe links from appearing on your screen.

2) Using unknown flash drives
It's important to back up your files and your system, but always be careful when inserting someone else's flash drive or USB drive into your computer.

External drives can contain malware, and one such successfully "forgotten" drive is enough to infect the entire network.

Conclusion: If this is not your device, do not use it. Check your device regularly for viruses and other malware to make sure you are not infecting other machines.

1) Clicking on questionable links
As noted by Inc., users often fall for the bait of "strange" sites through virtual word of mouth, when downloading music or viewing free photos.

By clicking on a dubious link, you can launch malware into your system, which will then give attackers access to your personal information, including bank accounts and credit card numbers.

In order not to be at risk, try to visit sites with a good reputation. As a rule, the safest links appear at the top of the list of results for any Google search, but if in doubt, do not click on the link.

If the link seems suspicious to you, do not click on it. Users make mistakes all the time that threaten the security of their computer, and hackers are happy to take advantage of this! But knowledge is power: knowing how attackers "work", prevent them from gaining access to your personal information, files, or data.