What is Digital Security?
Digital security refers to the ways that average internet users employ technology in order to protect their devices and identities from cyberattacks. This includes things like keeping software updates current, using strong passwords and avoiding suspicious links as well as tools like VPNs (ExpressVPN is one of the best).
Generally, attacks are motivated by the desire to steal data for illegitimate reasons or to disrupt business operations. In addition, there may be political motivations, as in the case of cyberwar. Attackers are often able to hide their tracks by using proxies, temporary anonymous dial-up accounts and wireless connections that make them hard to trace. They also use techniques like cryptanalysis to conceal the source of their attack and can delete logs to cover their tracks.
Malware authors and cyber defenders are in a constant cat-and-mouse game, with attackers trying to out-fox defenses and defenders working to keep up with the latest attacks. This is often a losing battle, as malware becomes more sophisticated and signature-based detection approaches are no longer effective.
Some people believe that the only way to be entirely safe online is to never go on the internet at all. However, that isn’t realistic or practical. The good news is that most pieces of general digital security advice are universal, including: Keep your software up to date, create and use a strong password, avoid clickable links and use a security tool such as a VPN. This will make you a much harder target for hackers and scammers.