Published in cooperation between Techopedia and the East Bay Express
Smart devices have become an important part of our day-to-day lives in the interconnected world we now live in. That’s because more of us now depend on devices like smartphones, wearables and even smart home appliances to make our lives more efficient and for the convenience they provide. However, as we rely more on these devices, we’ve also put ourselves at risk of falling victim to the cyberattacks and data breaches that have been rising lately. Luckily, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has noticed this too, which is why the organization has come up with a new program that is designed to identify and promote secure technologies. Let’s see what it will entail and how users can protect themselves from hackers now.
One effective way to protect our banking details is by using digital wallets like PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App. Several online stores, food delivery apps and even online gambling platforms that accept Cash App payments offer convenience, reduced fees and faster transactions. According to casino expert Sergio Zammit, Cash App is a convenient mobile payment option that allows users to send and receive money, allowing players to deposit and withdraw funds without hassle.
The main advantage of using digital wallets is the robust security features, such as encryption to safeguard user data. These wallets use secure servers to store user data, which are protected by various security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and access management protocols. PayPal also has measures allowing users to get their funds back if a transaction was fraudulent.
Digital wallets aren’t the only measure we can rely on as evidenced by the increase of cyberattacks on the Internet of Things (IoT) devices last year. These attacks increased by over 20 percent. That shouldn’t mean throwing our hands up in defeat. There are various measures that we can take to keep our devices safe, such as using antivirus software. Antivirus programs can run autonomously. All we need to do is install them and allow them to detect any viruses, malware and other online threats that could jeopardize the safety of our devices.
While antivirus is an essential tool for protecting your devices, it is not foolproof. Staying safe online requires caution when browsing, avoiding suspicious links and downloads and using strong passwords.
Besides using antivirus software, we can protect our devices by using Virtual Private Network (VPN) apps to encrypt our internet connections to make it hard for cyber criminals to intercept our data. We also can increase our security by pairing VPNs with password manager apps. What will make us safer when we use this approach is that password manager apps can create and store strong and unique passwords for all the accounts on our devices. This means that even if hackers find a way to intercept our data, the passwords we use won’t be accessible to them.
We can also protect our devices from hackers through good password habits such as enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on them and using 2FA apps. The reason why we must use this tech is that it creates unique codes that we can use to verify our identities and make it hard for bad actors to gain access.
Lastly, we can use network security apps to monitor our networks for vulnerabilities regularly. These apps will provide us with alerts whenever they detect potential threats on the networks we use and protect our devices from ensuing cyberattacks.
Now that we have an idea of how to keep our devices safe from the mounting threat that hackers pose, let’s take a look at the approach the FCC has taken to address this concern with its new program. This new initiative the FCC is undertaking is designed to help consumers make informed decisions when buying smart devices by identifying, evaluating and promoting secure technology.
The program will be able to do this primarily by assessing the security features that come with these devices so it can provide consumers with information on how safe they are. Using this information, consumers will then be able to assess the potential risks of each device they’re considering buying and choose those that provide them with the least exposure to malicious actors.
The move the FCC has taken with this program is unprecedented and will change our approach to smart devices by making security a top priority. As the number and types of smart devices we have access to continue to grow, this initiative will serve as a crucial step in ensuring that the technologies we use will be utilized for good, rather than being vulnerable to exploitation by cybercriminals.
Additionally, the innovative program that the FCC has launched won’t just stop at changing how we interact with smart devices. It will also push manufacturers to make security the top priority when designing and rolling them out. The FCC encouraging the tech industry to employ a security-centric approach will lead to various consequences that will ultimately result in us enjoying the many benefits of safer device usage.
One of the biggest benefits of this shift and the FCC’s program is increased transparency. That’s because consumers will be able to access detailed information on the security features of the devices they want. This will help them make better choices about the products they bring into their homes and workplaces. Also, users will be able to use this information to look for devices that will align with their security needs.
Most importantly, the FCC’s initiative will bring a security-first approach from manufacturers, which will mitigate the threat of cyberattacks and data breaches, introducing a more secure digital environment. The program will also benefit consumers by promoting the development of robust security technologies through responsible manufacturing practices.
With smart devices continuing to get more connected, the proactive stance that the FCC has taken will be crucial in keeping sensitive user data safe. It will also allow them to enjoy their experiences with this tech whether they’re learning online, conducting business, or playing at their favorite online gambling platforms without needing to worry too much.
