Autumn is here, and that means the return to school for children across the globe. The end of summer typically marks a return to work for many of us, however, as the drive towards the end of the year begins.
Just because the summer has ended doesn't mean that you can let down your guard when it comes to security protection, as criminals sadly keep up their efforts for much of the year.
But if your brain is still on the beach, don't worry - here are some smart security tips to make sure you don't get caught out.
Get all your devices updated
Most of use would like to think we take good care of our technology, whether that's our treasured smartphones, tablets or even the work laptop.
Security software has fortunately become a common presence on devices across the globe, but although many people are aware of the need to protect their laptop or desktop PC, other smart products are often passed by.
However items such as smartphones, tablets and even internet routers are very powerful computing devices, and often are our gateway to getting online - so they deserve just as much attention when it comes to protection.
Bitdefender Total Security 2020 is not just for PCs, but protects across multiple operating systems and device forms, so whether you're a user on Windows, macOS, Android or iOS, you can rest easy knowing you should be safe, with up to 15 devices per household, whether PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet all covered by your subscription.
Keep the whole family safe
September means back to school season, and with lockdown affecting children across the world, this return may for most be a happy occasion. However it is a sad truth that for others it might not be as fun, with bullying, both in person and online, affecting children of all ages.
Making sure children stay safe when online is vital, especially as criminals often try to exploit a lack of proper security knowledge to scam users into giving away login details or password information on services such as gaming sites.
Bitdefender Total Security includes advanced parental controls that allow you to monitor and supervise your family's online activities. The customisable platform means you can filter out inappropriate pages, limit screen time, and block them from any harmful content, making sure everyone is protected.
Mask your browsing with a VPN
Using a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, has become one of the most essential tools in today's remote working world - but it can also benefit your home life too. A VPN disguises your IP address, making your connection appear to be located wherever you would like, meaning it becomes incredibly tough for anyone to snoop on your location or track your internet surfing history.
VPN services are ideal for boosting your online privacy, with many organisations utilising the tools in this lockdown period to allow remote workers to connect to a company intranet or local network. But they are also good to enable viewing of online video content from different markets, whether that's localised sports, hit foreign TV shows, or the latest blockbusters streaming online.
Bitdefender Total Security comes with its own secure VPN service included, offering complete online privacy. Bitdefender VPN even comes with a 200MB/day allowance for encrypted traffic for all your devices, meaning that your internet experience should never be compromised.
Stay smart on scams
When it comes to security, it's always wise to stay ahead of the latest threats - learning isn't just for schools. Hackers and scammers often try to exploit victims at this time of year, when many people are still re-adjusting to the return to work after the summer, or even planning a Christmas holiday already.
Make sure you don't fall victim to "holiday brain", slip up and unwittingly open up a scam link or email - phishing scams, where hackers send emails that impersonate legitimate organisations, or even your own employer, look to steal personal information such as login details that could put your online habits at risk.
It's always worth spending that little bit of extra time to scrutinise incoming emails, especially if they look or seem suspicious. Phishing emails try their best to look real, but the messages often contain obvious spelling, imaging or formatting errors, or have clearly malicious links.
Fortunately, Bitdefender Total Security 2020 goes beyond typical antivirus and malware blockers, featuring sophisticated anti-phishing protection, blocking websites that masquerade as trustworthy in order to steal financial data such as passwords or credit card numbers.
