2FA, Hardware Wallets, and Other Ways to Stay Safe
In this era, the internet is used by many people to accomplish most of their tasks. We transfer money over the Internet, shop with mobile applications, chat on social networks, and even store confidential data on smartphones and PCs. Due to this, there are bad individuals referred to as hackers who will always consider how to steal us.
They employ methods to obtain our money, as well as bank details and even social medias. That is why it is quite necessary to know how to avoid having unpleasant experience online, especially these days when online fraud is on increase here in Nigeria. Keeping safe with the help of Two-Factor Authentication, known as 2FA, is one of the major ways of doing so.
Two-Factor Authentication could be an impressive name, but it is not quite complicated. Typically, to log in to your Facebook, email, or banking application you type your password. Passwords alone are not safe any more these days. One is able to guess or even steal them out Through 2FA you have an additional step. As one example, upon entering your password, the application would send a code by way of SMS, email, or a dedicated authentication app.
Anyone may be able to gain access to your account, but without that piece of code nobody will be able to log into it, despite already having your password. Numerous Nigerian banks are already trying this system An example is a case where you attempt to withdraw money through your bank app and they deliver you an extra code (OTP)to your phone. The example of 2FA in use is OTP.
That is why 2FA is so significant, since on its own, passwords are weak. Most of the Nigerians continue to employ easy passwords such as 123456, password, and their names. Such passwords can be cracked in a few seconds by monkeys, or hackers. When you apply 2FA however, even someone who knows your password is unable to access your account without the additional code. This leaves your money and information a lot safer. In contemporary Nigeria that lives with phones serving as point of contact when banking, trading and working, 2FA is essentially another padlock in digital life.
Another effective measure to be on the safe side is using hardware wallets particularly among individuals who trade, or invest in cryptocurrency. A proportionate number of Nigerians are presently engaged in Bitcoin, Ethereum and other coins. In order to keep these penny coins, you require a wallet. There are mobile or online wallets, however, they can be hacked by people.
Not unlike a flash drive, a hardware wallet is a small piece of physical hardware in which your cryptocurrencies are stored offline. It is also offline and the hackers cannot access it by use of the internet. You only plug it in when you want to do the transaction and disconnect and this ensures that you are safe from accidents that might end up damaging your phone or computer. Such wallets can be Ledger Nano and Trezor.
That is why 2FA is so significant, since on its own, passwords are weak. Most of the Nigerians continue to employ easy passwords such as 123456, password, and their names. Such passwords can be cracked in a few seconds by monkeys, or hackers. When you apply 2FA however, even someone who knows your password is unable to access your account without the additional code. This leaves your money and information a lot safer. In contemporary Nigeria that lives with phones serving as point of contact when banking, trading and working, 2FA is essentially another padlock in digital life.
Another effective measure to be on the safe side is using hardware wallets particularly among individuals who trade, or invest in cryptocurrency. A proportionate number of Nigerians are presently engaged in Bitcoin, Ethereum and other coins. In order to keep these penny coins, you require a wallet. There are mobile or online wallets, however, they can be hacked by people.
Not unlike a flash drive, a hardware wallet is a small piece of physical hardware in which your cryptocurrencies are stored offline. It is also offline and the hackers cannot access it by use of the internet. You only plug it in when you want to do the transaction and disconnect and this ensures that you are safe from accidents that might end up damaging your phone or computer. Such wallets can be Ledger Nano and Trezor.
We should also exercise caution with links that are delivered through SMS, WhatsApp, or email. Scammers widely use fake links that imitate the appearance of the website of your bank. When you click on log in and enter the information, they will steal it. It comes in handy to never click links that you are unsure about.
Another thing to observe is to protect your phone. In case your phone gets stolen, a person can attempt to enter your bank applications. This is the reason why you must never forget to lock your phone with a PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition. There is also Find My Device, which can lock or wipe your phone when it becomes lost.
A second method to protect yourself is to ensure your apps and phone are updated. Hackers have been known to exploit out-dated versions of applications in order to attack users. That is why updates are always made in banks and social media apps. Ensure you update the apps frequently in order to receive the most current security protection. There is the risk of public Wi-Fi.
Other risky habits include using free Wi-Fi in hotels, schools, or restaurants, which can be done by hackers in stealing your data. It is best to use your data with sensitive activities like online banking, because it is less risky. Last but not least, it is important to educate. Most Nigerians are deceived into scams and this is because they are ignorant about how they occur. By reading, attending seminars, and asking questions regarding online safety you will be more intelligent and more difficult to be dupped.
In Nigeria in the modern times, there is saturation of online fraudulent activities. Individuals lose their savings to the false investment schemes, investors and even to fraudsters who pretend to be customer care officers. This creates the need of all the Nigerians to exercise digital security. As an example, when trading in cryptos, it is risky to leave your coins on an exchange since the exchange may be hacked or even be closed. A hardware wallet shelters you against that. In the case with banking apps, 2FA can help you not lose your money, as well as in case your phone got stolen.
Life has become easy in Nigeria due to internet. We now have the capability to transfer money in a matter of seconds, do online shopping and even conduct international businesses using our phones. This comes at its own dangers. Hacks and criminals are doing everything to ensure that they find weak points.
That is why 2FA, hardware wallets, and other safe processes are not optional. The 2FA keeps our accounts safe by bringing an additional step of protection. Hardware wallets are offline crypto wallets We must also use strong passwords, not clicking on fake links, we should lock our phones, update our apps, and educate ourselves.
If we invest in these steps closely we will not only save money but also our future. It is not only about the tech side staying safe online it is also about being very wise, alert and careful. Nigerians need to know that when we are careless, then hackers will succeed. With greater caution and utilization of the appropriate tools, such as 2FA and hardware wallets, we can use the internet without any fears.