1. Use strong passwords

asswords protect your data online, so you should be creative with them. Using your pet's password, date of birth, "12345" or "password" as a password is never a good idea. Discovering this information is a breeze for hackers. And that's not all. Do not use the same password for all your accounts. If you have a lot of them, it can be a good idea to have a trusted password manager that will generate a strong and secure password for every website you log in to.

2. Enable two-factor authentication

Many popular online services allow you to secure your accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA). However, this effective safety feature is rarely used by most people. Here's why you should look at it in detail. Using 2FA adds another level of security to your account, making it even harder for cybercriminals to gain access. If they still manage to reveal your carefully created password, your 2FA account will remain protected and will not be able to hack.

3. Update your software and applications regularly

Yes, these software update notifications can be annoying, but they appear on screen for good reason. These updates often include security solutions needed to help protect your device from computer threats. Ignoring these updates will compromise your privacy and sensitive information. Don't be put off. Don't forget to install them.

4. Be careful with public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi hotspots provided in cafes, hotels and shopping centers are certainly convenient. However, connecting them exposes you to the risk of stealing sensitive data. These public networks are usually poorly protected, making it very difficult for hackers to intercept your Internet traffic and steal whatever they want, such as passwords or credit card information. You probably won't listen if we tell you not to use public Wi-Fi, so the best way to stay safe on insecure networks is to use a virtual private network or VPN. It hides your IP address and encrypts your Internet traffic so that no cybercriminals can hack it. This brings us to the last and best heap.

5. Secure your Internet traffic with a VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are by far the most reliable tools for protecting consumers' privacy online. A VPN acts as a secure gateway to the Internet: it hides your IP address and sends all your communications through an encrypted tunnel so that no one, not even your ISP, can see what you are ' n do it online.

If you have a VPN account turned on or "enabled", you can connect to the Internet without worrying about someone else looking over your shoulder online. All you have to do is open a VPN account and connect to one of the special servers they offer worldwide. Remember to choose a trusted VPN provider, such as NordVPN.

NordVPN uses military-level security protocols to encrypt your data and does not keep any records of your online activities. In addition, they offer many other security features and allow you to protect up to six different devices with one subscription account.