How to avoid falling victim to a cyberattack?

How to avoid falling victim to a cyberattack?

Much like in the real world, negligence to hygiene in the digital space can lead to epidemics. To avoid this, you should know some basic cybersecurity rules and take quick protective measures.

We have prepared a test to see how vulnerable you are in the cyberworld.

Take the test

1/10

Do you ever set passwords on your smart devices at home?

Yes, always. I set a unique password to every device. I have one password for all my smart devices. I always use it so as not to forget it. No. Why do that? I didn’t know devices have passwords.

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2/10

When was the last time you updated the antivirus software on your computer?

Is it really necessary to update antiviruses? I don’t remember, a while ago. Quite recently, I installed it as soon as the update was published. I have Mac OS, it does not require any antivirus. Antivirus software spies on me, so I do not install it.

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3/10

The epidemic has subsided, and the borders are open again. You fly to another country on business. Upon arrival you have no access to mobile internet, but you do need to access your corporate network urgently and download an important file. You decide to use a local Wi‑Fi network. What do you do?

I will simply connect to this network and download the file. I will connect to the network, download the file, and at the end of the session I will check that the network has not appeared on the list of trusted networks. I will connect to the network, turn on the VPN and then download the file. I will connect to the network, turn on the VPN, download the file and at the end of the session I will check that the network has not appeared on the list of trusted networks.

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4/10

When registering for an online conference, the system sets a default password “01234” on your account. Your actions?

No actions. This is a good password to remember. I will change it to a new, more complex and unique password. I will change it to my birth date. I will change it to a complex password, the one I usually use for similar accounts, with letters, symbols and digits.

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5/10

You have left your corporate PC at the office, but you urgently need to make a presentation. You have not used your home computer for a long time and, when turned on, Windows OS notifies you it requires an update. The antivirus has expired as well. What do you do?

I will update the OS, it does not take long. Antivirus will have to wait till next time. I will update Windows and the antivirus. I will update Windows, the antivirus and will instantly start a full antivirus check. I will make all the updates later. Work is the first priority.

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6/10

Imagine that you are out of office and you need to send an email with a confidential attachment to your subcontractor. You have no access to your corporate network. What do you do?

I will find out the subcontractor’s personal email address and use my personal account to send the attachment. I will send the attachment from my personal account to the subcontractor’s corporate email. I will send the attachment in a messenger. I will ask my colleague who is at the office to send the email to the subcontractor’s corporate email.

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7/10

You need to send a photo of your passport to your relative very urgently from your smartphone. Your actions?

I will use any messenger already installed on my device. I will choose the most secure messenger and will send the photo. I will check that the encryption feature is turned on in the chat and will send the photo through the most secure messenger. The encryption feature is on in all my messengers, together with two-factor authentication. So, I will send the photo without any second thought. While at it, I will save the photo in the back-up copy of the chat — just in case I require it again someday.

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8/10

You have bought a new smartphone and decided to do the initial setup. Which of the actions below might be potentially dangerous for your data?

Installing an application with default access settings. Installing biometric identification instead of unblocking the device using a password. Installing too many applications by trusted developers. None of these actions are dangerous.

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9/10

What signs may indicate that it is unsafe to enter your personal data on the website?

The site does not use HTTPS protocol while connecting. The browser warns that the website certificate is invalid. The site, after a special checking service, is verified to be phishing. All the above signs indicate that it is not safe to enter your personal data on the site.

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10/10

You get a phone call from someone who says they are your bank’s representative. They point out some suspicious transaction with your bank card. The person asks you for the card number, otherwise it will be blocked. What do you do?

I will give my bank card number, so as it is not blocked. I will not give anything. I will take note of the phone number and contact my bank to check if everything is OK with my account and warn the bank of a possible fraud. I will give my bank card number without naming the CVC code. Even if this is a scam, they will not be able to withdraw any money from my card without this code. I will not give anything and will end the call. These are criminals.

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of 10 correct answers. 0

Be careful! You could be hacked!

The good news is that the basic rules of cyber hygiene are enough to protect yourself against most attacks. Study our guide to feel more confident and to secure your data.
You are definitely able to protect yourself from cybercriminals. But apparently not from all.

To increase your level of digital literacy, we suggest that you examine our guide on the basic cyber hygiene rules. You will enhance your knowledge and become less vulnerable to attacks.
Congratulations! You know how to protect yourself against cyberattacks!

But only few can do the same. Take care of your relatives and friends and share the guide on basic cyber hygiene rules with them.

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