The internet can be considered as a newly added essential in life. Almost everyone uses the internet to work, watch videos, or even communicate with loved ones across the globe. However with the number of hacks, scams, and threats consistently multiplying, the internet may not be the safest place.
Carelessly surfing the web may not only lead to viruses, but can also cause personal information (login information, embarrassing pictures, contact details) to get leaked. Here are some things to keep in mind to surf the internet safely.
Be selective with what information you disclose on the internet. Don’t share any information unless its necessary, and on a legitimate website. It isn’t always mandatory to provide personal information, so don’t be quick to provide it. Disclosing this information can possibly lead to hackers figuring out the login info for your accounts.
Set your passwords to be strong and complex. Including unique characters and longer sets will decrease the chances of people guessing the accounts login.
Its important to create complicated passwords for important accounts, since the number of hackers breaking into corporate databases is on the rise. If the passwords are hard to memorize, using a trusted password manager application would be a big help.
Remain mindful when choosing which websites to visit. Cyber attackers will attempt to bait people into visiting their risky websites through mischievous content. They know what people search for, and will use that temptation to creep into their devices to expose personal data, or to infect the device with security threats.
Choose which applications to download. If the application itself looks sketchy, don’t risk the chance of accidentally exposing yourself to malware. Many applications are disguised as games, wallpaper editors, and weather applications to name a few.
Only shop from safe and authentic websites. Shopping online requires financial information from the customer to proceed with checkout. This is what a majority of hackers love to come across.
Cyber criminals may also try to trick people by creating fake duplicate websites of legitimate companies. To ensure you’re on a real website, make sure the start of the web address begins with “https” instead of “http,” indicating that the website uses encryption to prevent others from accessing your data.
Post with caution. The unfortunate thing about the internet is that it’s impossible to remove all copies of an unwanted comments, pictures, or status since other people might have saved copies. If you wouldn’t want a family member or a future employer to see something, its best to keep it to yourself.
Keep your security software updated. Antivirus programs can only do so much as to detect most malware and virus problems. Different types of threats are created daily, and security software companies often provide updates to stop unwelcome people from getting access to your devices.
The internet is entertaining, convenient, and educational, considering everything that you want or need is on there. That doesn’t mean you should be careless with browsing certain websites, and revealing personal information. Practicing good internet conduct by following the mentioned tips can prevent any unwanted situation.
