Cybercrime is a growing threat that has caused most internet users to rethink how they protect their data and information. Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated with their methods and are coming up with new ways to mask their internet identity to avoid a jail term. Whether is through phishing attacks, ransomware or hijacking a computer to mine cryptocurrency, evidence shows that criminals are honing their skills and are becoming more brazen in their attack.
There are numerous Linux computers out there, they’re so much that it’s practically impossible to say the exact number that’s currently being used. This popularity has made hackers see it as a perfect beehive to harness the private information of private individuals, and also install ransomware and milk users’ of their hard-earned money. As such, it is essential that every Linux user take steps to protect their identity and data from these nefarious individuals. The cost of cybercrime is over $600 billion annually, this shows that it’s a highly sophisticated threat you should take seriously. Here are tips on how to protect your device as a Linux user:
- Protect your Linux computer from unwanted snoopers
The internet is a perfect replica of the real world. It is an embodiment of the good, the bad, and the ugly; there are people that use the internet with the primary aim of gaining access to computers illegally.
The consequence of hackers gaining access to your device can be very grave; some of the problems it causes include duplicating your identity to commit a crime, stealing your financial details to withdraw your money, etc. Public Wi-Fi can be a minefield for hackers if you don’t protect your device. An attacker can use an unsecured network to modify or steal your data.
Installing Linux VPN is a great step towards having a secured Linux system as it’ll help to prevent ISPs and hackers from snooping around and gathering your private information while using your Linux system. It protects your details by masking IP addresses to prevent a direct target from hackers.
A VPN offers an effective way to secure your online activity by encrypting your network.
- Opt for Full Disk Encryption
Even if you generate a strong password for your Linux, it doesn’t take away the possibility that someone can gain access to your device when it’s stolen. A way they can use to illegally gain access is via a USB Key.
If they succeed in accessing your data, then they can snoop around all they want, read your files and probably sell the content of your computer to fellow criminals.
To stop this, use full disk encryption to protect your drive. By encrypting your drive, your data will remain secure as intruders can’t access anything without first entering the right FDE password.
- Update Your Software Regularly
As your Linux system is exposed to the internet, hackers are consistently looking for loopholes to explore in the operating system to enable them to gain access to your sensitive files. And some old Linux software has numerous loopholes that hackers can explore. As such, it’s a huge security risk to allow these loopholes to exist for a prolonged period.
Outdated Linux software comes with a much bigger problem than the pain and frustration from lag time and the constant notification to update your software. It throws open your system to the prying eyes of an average hacker. And when they’re in, they can lock you out of your computer or sell your information to terrorists and other criminals. Using outdated software is synonymous with living in a house without doors and windows.
Security updates are a major reason for you to keep your software updated. Doing this automatically erases most loopholes that hackers might want to exploit. It also improves the overall function of your Linux computer so that you can have a better user experience with it.
- Use Linux’s Firewall
Some security threats are peculiar to Linux, so much so that third-party solutions might be ineffective against them.
Such security threats are usually from a loophole that is on the Linux system and leaves the system in a position where it’s susceptible to cyberattacks.
To solve this problem, it’s best that you learn how to use LINUX’s firewall. The firewall component is popularly regarded as “ipstable.” Apart from preventing cyberattacks, it also helps to manage the traffic that comes to your computer.
- Improve your browser’s security
About 14.76% of cyberattacks in the 3rd quarter of 2020 happened through the browser—this holds true irrespective of your preferred browser. As such, it is sacrosanct to be particular about your browser’s security if you’re serious about keeping your device safe.
Negligence of your browser’s security can lead to a myriad of problem, some of which includes phishing, identity theft, and other cybercrimes.
There are numerous free extensions to improve the security of your browsers so it shouldn’t be difficult to find an effective one to install.
Conclusion
A report has shown that hackers have targeted Linux systems for years. As such, it’s best to protect your system from the prying eyes of hackers that want to gain access to your data illegally. In this article, we’ve discussed the different ways to protect your Linux computer.
