Safeguard your online security

Hellen Sanya
Runnovate Virtual Assistants
3 min readNov 9, 2023

As we harness the power of technology to simplify our lives, we inadvertently open the door to potential online threats. It’s a complex digital dance, where every online interaction comes with a potential cybersecurity waltz. As online workers and digital citizens, it’s paramount that we take charge of our digital well-being by safeguarding our online security.

Here are some of the ways that you can safeguard your online safety to maintain digital wellness:

Online safety tips for online workers

Regular password updates

Change your passwords at least once every 90 days for your online accounts. Utilize strong, unique passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a reputable password manager, like LastPass, to securely store and generate complex passwords.

End-to-end encryption

When sharing confidential information, opt for apps and software that employ end-to-end encryption. This ensures that only the intended recipient can access and decipher the shared data, enhancing your privacy and security.

Permission settings

Be diligent about permission settings when sharing information online. Verify that your data is set to the appropriate level of privacy, especially when sharing on social media or cloud storage platforms. Avoid oversharing personal details with a public view.

Access revocation

Once the purpose of granting access to shared information has been fulfilled, revoke access promptly. Regularly review the permissions you’ve granted to apps, websites, and individuals, and remove any unnecessary or outdated access.

Two-factor authentication (2FA)

Implement 2FA wherever possible. This additional layer of security requires you to provide a second verification step, such as a code sent to your mobile device, to access your accounts.

Regular software updates

Keep your operating system, apps, and security software up to date. Updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of security breaches.

Beware of phishing

Be cautious of unsolicited emails, messages, or links from unknown sources. Phishing attempts can trick you into revealing sensitive information. Verify the legitimacy of requests before responding.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when accessing the internet on public Wi-Fi networks is a prudent step towards safeguarding your online privacy and data. VPNs create a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, encrypting the data exchanged between your device and the VPN server. This encryption ensures that even if you’re connected to an unsecured public Wi-Fi network, your sensitive information remains protected from potential eavesdropping or interception by cyber criminals.

Secure backups

Regularly backup your important data to a secure, offline location. This ensures that you can recover your information in case of data loss or cyberattacks.

By adopting these practices, you can fortify your online security, reduce the risk of data breaches, and promote your overall digital wellness.

Get involved with Runnovate

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Hellen Sanya
Runnovate Virtual Assistants

I oversee the Operations and Marketing activities at Runnovate