{"id":157238,"date":"2022-08-02T17:23:43","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T00:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=157238"},"modified":"2024-07-10T07:13:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T14:13:39","slug":"how-to-stay-one-step-ahead-of-hackers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/tips-tricks\/how-to-stay-one-step-ahead-of-hackers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Stay One Step Ahead of Hackers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether using the internet for play or work, you want to spend your time online enjoying the peace of mind that comes with having a secure network.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t want to contend with someone taking your <\/span>personal data<\/span><\/a> \u2014 whether it\u2019s <\/span>credit card<\/span> information, passwords, or <\/span>bank account<\/span> details \u2014 via <\/span>malware<\/span> or a <\/span>data breach<\/span> on your <\/span>Android, Windows,<\/span> or <\/span>Apple<\/span> iOS<\/span> device.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, with some sensible precautions and <\/span>simple steps<\/span>, you can use your connected devices productively without worrying about <\/span>cybercriminals<\/span> and <\/span>malicious software<\/span>. This article explains how to stop <\/span>hackers<\/span> from getting access to your <\/span>sensitive data<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8 ways to protect your identity from <\/span><\/b>hackers<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

You can take steps to protect your different computing and <\/span>mobile devices<\/span> and <\/span>operating systems<\/span>. These steps can be divided into technological solutions and the right awareness and information to provide a comforting measure of self-protection.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s like learning karate for self-defense, giving you confidence as you negotiate the wider world (and hoping that you never have to use it).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Use identity protection software<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

When it comes to identity protection software, McAfee provides a proven solution with our <\/span>identity protection and privacy<\/span><\/a> services. The protection includes alerts if your <\/span>sensitive information<\/span> is found on the dark web (up to 10 months sooner than other providers), <\/span>personal data<\/span> cleanup from sites gathering and selling your information, and an unlimited virtual public network (<\/span>VPN<\/span>) service that protects your privacy as you use <\/span>public Wi-Fi networks<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also get up to $1 million in identity theft coverage and hands-on restoration support to help you reclaim your identity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Use complex passwords<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Simple, obvious passwords and <\/span>passcodes (like y<\/span>our street address, your birthday, your kids\u2019 or pets\u2019 names, or \u201c1234\u201d or \u201cabcd\u201d) are easy for <\/span>cybercriminals<\/span> to crack, giving them unwanted access to your private data.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The stronger your password, the better your protection. Some best password practices include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n