Interviewer: Can you tell us about yourself and your experience in the cybersecurity industry?
Akanksha: Sure, my name is Akanksha and I have accumulated over a decade of experience in the technology industry. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with several Fortune 500 companies across diverse sectors such as CPG, retail, healthcare, and finance. Over time, I have developed expertise in various domains of cybersecurity, particularly focusing on cloud security, application security, and vulnerability management. These areas have become my specialization and allow me to contribute effectively to the field of cybersecurity.
Interviewer: Great. So, let’s start with the basics. What are some of the common threats that people face when using the internet?
Akanksha: There are several threats that people face when using the internet, such as phishing attacks, malware, ransomware, and social engineering attacks. These attacks are designed to steal personal information, passwords, and other sensitive data.
Interviewer: What can people do to protect themselves from these threats?
Akanksha: There are several things that people can do to protect themselves. First, they should always use strong and unique passwords for each of their accounts. They should also enable two-factor authentication whenever possible, which adds an extra layer of security.
Second, people should be cautious of unsolicited emails, especially those that ask for personal information or include links or attachments. They should always double-check the sender’s email address and be wary of any emails that seem suspicious.
Third, people should keep their software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches. This is important because software vulnerabilities can be exploited by cybercriminals to gain access to a person’s system.
Fourth, people should avoid using public Wi-Fi networks when accessing sensitive information, such as online banking. Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making it easy for cybercriminals to intercept and steal data.
Lastly, people should always use reputable security software, such as antivirus and anti-malware software. These programs can help detect and remove threats from a person’s system.
Interviewer: Those are great tips. What are some other things that people can do to protect themselves online?
Akanksha: People should be cautious about what they share online, such as personal information and photos. They should also avoid clicking on ads or pop-ups that seem too good to be true. These are often scams designed to trick people into giving away their personal information.
People should also be careful about what they download from the internet. They should only download software and files from reputable sources and avoid downloading anything from unknown or untrusted sources.
Lastly, people should be aware of the risks of social media and should use privacy settings to control who can see their posts and personal information. They should also avoid accepting friend requests from people they don’t know.
Interviewer: That’s great advice. You mentioned risks associated with social media? Can you tell us how people can better protect their privacy and personal information on these platforms?
Akanksha: Yes, absolutely. Tiktok, Instagram, and other social media platforms, as well as search engines like Google, are among the most widely used digital platforms by people, and they store significant amounts of personal information about their users. People can better protect their privacy on these platforms by reviewing and adjusting their privacy settings.
On social media websites and applications, people should be aware of what they post, who they share it with, and what data the platform collects about them. They should review their privacy settings regularly and adjust them to limit the information that is publicly available. For example, they can choose to hide their profile from search engines or only share certain information with specific people.
Similarly, on Google, people can review and adjust their privacy settings by visiting their account’s privacy dashboard. They can choose to limit what data is collected, such as search history or location data, and delete any data that has already been collected.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing those tips with us. Do you have any final advice for people looking to protect themselves online?
Akanksha: Yes. I would say that education is the key to staying safe online. People should stay informed about the latest threats and be aware of common tactics used by cybercriminals. They should also be proactive in protecting themselves and their data by following the tips we’ve discussed today. By doing so, they can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Akanksha for sharing your expertise on cybersecurity and how people can stay safe online. For those who want to learn more about this topic, feel free to tune in to Akanksha’s podcast on Spotify where she shares more details and tips on staying secure in the digital world.
Akanksha: Thank you, Interviewer.
Interviewer: Follow the below link on spotify to tune in to Akanksha’s podcast channel,
Learn as I learn: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KYWblZSh3A1rv9vPKk5mF?si=fea596a6a8f54119
