Internet Privacy and Cybersecurity: Why is it needed?

The world continues to change in numerous ways due to the internet. The internet's future is bright, with opportunities for study, communication, politics, and government across its spectrum. The issue that most people would be asking themselves right now, with 5G taking shape in many parts of the world, is how fast connectivity will affect their online privacy.

The capacity to manage how much of your information including browsing, financial, and possibly sensitive personal data that third parties can access and use when you go online is known as online privacy, often referred to as Internet privacy or digital privacy. Put differently, you have the right to choose the information you choose to reveal when browsing.

In actuality, web privacy is still a concern, and with high-speed connectivity, things can get worse. It's widely acknowledged that threats like phishing, cyberbullying, and hacking persist despite laws that are more stringent in protecting internet users from unauthorised access to personal information and data.

When you use the internet, who can monitor your activities? Regretfully, almost everyone assuming, that is, that you do not take any steps to enhance your privacy. Unwanted tracking and third-party spying are rather widespread these days. Many parties, like ISPs, search engines, social networks, and websites that employ cookies to track users, have already been noted as being interested in your personal information. Your browsing history, location history, likes, comments, are among the data they gather.

Similar to search engines and webpages, mobile applications have access to a wealth of personal data. A certain quantity of your data is made available to an app when you install it on your smartphone. Furthermore, whereas certain permissions make sense (particularly if you trust the service provider), others could raise concerns about privacy. Certain apps have the ability to access your contacts, camera, microphone, and other installed apps.

Third-party monitoring is typically done for one very straightforward reason: Advertising. To distribute targeted advertisements, advertising organisations purchase client data. But the consequences of a data breach can be far worse than just accidentally running into an obtrusive pop-up or banner.

Anant Deshpande, DigiCert Regional Vice President, India & ASEAN says: “In an era defined by digital transformation, India stands at the cusp of unprecedented technological growth. The proliferation of the internet has brought immense opportunities and conveniences, but it has also ushered in an era of heightened cyber threats. At Digicert, we recognize the imperative for increased awareness surrounding internet security in India. The threat landscape in India is evolving at an alarming rate. With the rapid digitization of services, businesses, and personal data, cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Phishing attacks, ransomware, data breaches, and other malicious activities are on the rise. India has witnessed a surge in cybercrimes, affecting individuals, organizations, and even government bodies.

It is crucial for all stakeholders to acknowledge the gravity of this situation and take proactive measures. Awareness is the first line of defense. By educating individuals and organizations about the importance of internet security, we can mitigate the risks and build a resilient digital ecosystem. This includes implementing robust encryption, strong authentication measures, and keeping software and systems up to date.

Digicert is committed to advancing internet security in India. The underpinning of Digital Security is Digital Trust. From securing online communications, to keeping software safe, to safeguarding connected devices ,to  certifying the security of digital documents, Digicert provides cutting-edge solutions across the trust lifecycle, including SSL certificates that are invaluable to establishing Digital Trust, and thereby Digital Privacy.  However, our mission goes beyond technology. We actively promote awareness, empowering Indians to make informed choices and safeguard their digital lives.

In this interconnected world, collective vigilance is paramount. Together, we can navigate the complex threat landscape and create a safer, more secure digital environment for India's future.”

To whom and why is internet data privacy important? Well, Internet privacy includes a wide range of topics, from the banking industry to marketing firms, governments, and the healthcare industry. In the era of social media, hashtags, tweets, live videos, and content sharing consume a significant amount of people's online time. In the process, a great deal of private information gets disclosed online, occasionally to unidentified sources.

Considering that cybercrimes are increasing as a result of the vast amount of data that internet users exchange, failing to adopt the appropriate security measures could result in your online privacy being completely compromised. One way to lose privacy on is through identity theft.

It goes as follows that the following factors make internet privacy crucial:

• It Protects Your Family and You from Social Media Breach of Data
• Protects identity and privacy against theft
• Shields your company's privacy from online fraud
• Restricts someone's ability to control your online privacy Protects and Aids Reputation Keep Social Boundaries Safe

1. Make use of a password manager and strong passwords.

Did you know that 81% of hacking-related incidents are caused by compromised passwords? It serves as a reminder that one of the simplest methods to safeguard your accounts and private data is to use strong passwords.

The following are some crucial best practises for password security:

Make a strong password: Your account has been compromised if you continue to use "password," which is a weak password. In less than a second, hackers can break this simple password. Make passwords that are distinctively difficult and at least 16 characters long instead. Steer clear of clearly recognizable information like names and birthdays, as well as consecutive strings like ABCD, 1234, and qwerty, when creating passwords.

Steer clear of password reuse: Treat your passwords like fingerprints; they should all be distinct. You become more susceptible to assaults such as credential stuffing and brute-force attacks when you reuse passwords. Developing a distinct password for every account reduces the consequences in case of a security breach.

Employ a password organiser: You can get rid of sticky notes and the password guessing game by using password managers. To log into your password manager, all you need is one password. They can assist in producing complicated combinations and automatically create, store, and fill passwords.

2. Activate MFA, or multi-factor authentication

Microsoft claims that using MFA can reduce your risk of hacking by 99%. How come? Due to the fact that MFA needs you to authenticate yourself using a minimum of two sources before granting you access to your account. In order for a hacker to access your account, they still need to fulfil the second authentication criterion even if they manage to crack your password.

3. Upgrade your programme

Learn the significance of software updates before you impulsively click the "remind me later" button. Software updates are released by IT companies to address critical security vulnerabilities; if you don't update your software, you risk being left vulnerable.

The following is what you should stay current on:

• System of Operations (OS)
• Internet browsers and add-ons
• Antivirus software from third parties

Identify phishing and report it

Phishing, the most prevalent type of cybercrime, entails malevolent actors sending communications purporting to be a reliable person or organisation. Whenever anything feels off, go with your gut.

Giving internet users the experience they deserve depends in large part on protecting their online privacy. It's wise to be aware of your digital footprints whether you work, shop, or read a blog on the internet. Any error that equates to an internet privacy violation might have disastrous consequences.

There are many moving parts in a cybersecurity game, much like in a chess match. Although metrics like catch rates are significant and provide insightful information about the effectiveness of a solution, they are only one part of a much bigger picture. Incorporating that measurement into a comprehensive strategy for managing cyber risk allows organisations to secure not just their digital assets but also their financial stability against constantly changing cyber threats.