Online security has slowly become a notable concern for internet users. With information technologies maintaining a firm grip over our modern lives, it became harder to keep a low profile on the internet. Not only hackers and cybercriminals, but tech companies also keep developing methods to obtain unreasonable amounts of user data.
Because the value of available information is at an all-time high, third parties cover up the obsession over data with promises of comfort and convenience. Also, a lack of technical literacy can lead to a lack of understanding and exposure to security gaps exploited by criminals.
To protect ourselves from privacy threats, we, the internet users, have to familiarize ourselves with well-tested, trustworthy security solutions. IN this article, we will discuss tools and actions that can protect you from various security threats – from exposure of your network identity to minimizing your digital footprint.
Unfortunately, no one-size-fits-all appliance can cover everything, but by combining the simplest and most reliable tools, you can feel much safer online. For example, proxy servers can cover your IP address to protect your identity when connecting to web servers. They have other benefits, too – you can use Australia proxies to access exclusive websites that are only available in the region.
You can easily get an Australian proxy from a reliable provider or a different server IP that suits your needs. In this guide, we will talk about the best tools and their versatility and warn you about solutions that over promise but underdeliver and end up decreasing security.
Choose the right operating system
While it may cause casual web surfers some discomfort, changing your operating system (OS) can provide much safety. While most desktop users use Windows, switching to Unix-based OS has many security benefits. Linux is slowly taking over the digital world because viruses can be easily avoided and removed. Linux distributions have a very secure way of managing user permissions, and no “.exe” files will run without permission authorized by the superuser.
Most users avoid the switch from Windows due to the familiarity and convenience of the system. Another crucial factor is the limited ability to run computer games, even if the situation constantly improves. Windows is the perfect OS for a gullible user, but we recommend trying out the most popular Linux distributions if you care about protecting your work computer.
If you care about protecting your web or database server, choosing Linux should be a no-brainer. Not only are the servers free and open-source, but the technically literate user also has much room for customization while powering their servers with a free OS that provides better security.
Cover up your IP address with proxy servers
Proxies are the classic tools that serve a crucial function – covering up your IP address. Protecting your network identity has many advantages. While the days of complete anonymity on the web are long gone, you can leave a lesser digital footprint by refusing to disclose your IP.
Every time a web user connects to a server, the transmitted data packets display their IP address. Just from this simple string of numbers, the recipient can store it and track your recurrent connections. IP also shows your relative location, which website owners often use to filter visitors and provide a localized version of a page.
While exposing your network identity can provide good features and enhance your browsing experience in legitimate websites, if this information ends up in the hands of an experienced cybercriminal, you can experience a lot of inconveniences, ranging from mild to severe. In a worst-case scenario, a hacker can identify your OS and daemons with ports and attack outdated, vulnerable services. While hackers are more likely to target web servers, everyone should avoid exposing their IP address.
With a reliable proxy provider, you can protect your IP and choose different geolocation simultaneously. Australia proxies will not only skew your actual location but also grant you access to restricted websites. However, if you live nowhere near Australia, choose a closer location to mitigate the internet speed slowdown.
Dangerous security solutions
The growing concern for internet privacy has led to some bad practices utilized by private users and big companies. Cybercriminals always look for vulnerabilities in outdated software. By overcrowding the system with security tools, it becomes much harder to ensure their continuous functionality.
Also, cheap IoT devices can bring convenience to your home and the workplace, but manufacturers love to cut costs and leave vulnerabilities that hackers can easily exploit. Great digital security systems are built with patient scalability. Please start with the most reliable tools, keep them functional and up to date, and only then focus on slowly building your way up.
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