Nowadays, a major part of our daily lives is spent online. On the internet, we have access to everything from banking, music purchases, bill payments, social planning, and even parts of our jobs. Unfortunately, along with conveniences, risks are also associated with the increase in our reliance on the internet and digital networks.
There are criminals, hackers, and even bored mischief-makers lurking in the shadows, ready to steal your identity, rob you, commit fraud, or embarrass you. Therefore, the security of digital security is of paramount importance today.
Digital security - what is it?
According to application security experts at Mend, digital security is the umbrella term for all the resources employed to safeguard our online data, identity, and digital assets; resources comprise both virtual and physical entities. A few examples of these resources are web services, antivirus software, and smartphones with SIM cards, biometrics, and secure devices. In other words, your online identity is protected through digital security.
A term you're probably familiar with is "cyber security." However, there is a difference between digital security and cyber security. In digital security, you protect your online presence (data, identity, assets). Cybersecurity also protects entire networks, computer systems, and other digital components and the data stored therein.
Why is digital security important?
Information on data security breaches from the past decade can be found in the infographics published in 2019. According to this article, more than seven million data records are compromised daily, and cyber fraud and abuse incidents increased by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2020.
Data are abundant and readily available for exploitation, and the sheer value of that data makes cybercriminals attractive to opportunists. They only need one good haul to make their efforts worthwhile. The hackers could use phishing attacks to trick one consumer so that they may be able to obtain a stolen identity or use a compromised credit card to obtain a substantial amount of cash.
The internet is more reliant on us than ever, so we have a greater risk of harm if something goes wrong. It is essential that we provide flawless, reliable security to ensure the security of our data in this era of digital data security.
Digital security: what are the different types?
In the digital world, security takes many forms, and it is possible to defend yourself in numerous ways. Some of the best means of ensuring digital security are by using -
- Effective antivirus program
Malware and other malicious systems deliver viruses by infecting your data and halting your system. Furthermore, it is essential to keep out suspicious programs and isolate potential threats and detect and remove these infections.
- Updated firewalls
Using this tool, you can monitor web traffic, identify authorized users, block unauthorized access, and prevent new viruses from gaining access in the future. Firewalls have been around for many years, but some cyber security experts consider them obsolete even though they are still in use. A new version, however, can provide a great deal of protection against unauthorized access.
- Proxy servers
The proxy server bridges the internet gap for users by using filtering rules in accordance with the organization's IT policies. Proxy servers can control access and monitor users' activity by blocking dangerous websites and leveraging an authentication system.
- Software for monitoring remotely
Remote monitoring allows data security teams to collect data, diagnose problems, and monitor all software and hardware remotely. With remote monitoring, administrators can resolve any issue anytime, anywhere, providing flexibility and convenience to their customers.
- Virus and vulnerability scanners
It is possible to use this tool to identify, evaluate, and manage any weak spots within your organization's systems. Not only should vulnerabilities be identified, but also prioritized to organize countermeasures. IT security teams can scan both web applications and internal systems.
Final thoughts
Learning about digital security can prove to be beneficial in the long run. The cost of state-of-the-art security software can be high. You can even hire professionals to monitor your digital assets on your behalf. It will not matter how expensive the digital methods are if we cannot exercise our common sense and revise flaws in our digital habits.
This article was written in cooperation with Mend