The World Wide Web is a powerful means to connect with others and access people, services, and information. However, with that strong connection also comes risk. Cyber criminals are continuously searching for ways to steal personal information, take over existing accounts, or program devices with malware. While you might think protecting yourself would require a PhD in, “Technology” you just have to develop some good habits. If you follow these, you and your devices will be safer and more secure while you browse online. Here are 10 Tips for Safe and Secure Browsing Online.
1. Create Strong Unique Passwords
One of the easiest, yet best, ways to keep your accounts secure is to use strong, all-unique passwords for each of your accounts. Your password should not be a common phrase, birthday or repeatable pattern. Your password should look like this: A3lFgfl. Good passwords are long and include a capital letter, lower-case letters, some numbers and ideally symbols too.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is another level of protection by requiring a verification method, in addition to a password, to access an account, like a code being sent to your mobile device or a code being generated by an application. Even if someone can guess or steal your password, that additional level of protection should prevent access to your account.
3. Ensure Software and Devices are Updated
Older software might contain security vulnerabilities that attackers can take advantage of. Make sure to always install updates for your operating system, browsers, apps, and antivirus programs. They’re all going to be related directly to fixing some areas where a hacker might try to get through into your system.
Set it and forget it! Enable automatic updates when you can!
4. Be careful with Email links and Attachments
Phishing emails are intended to trick you into revealing personal information or to download malware on your computer. Go back and check the sender’s email address one more time. If it is from a sender you are familiar with, don’t click links or download anything. If it looks like it is from a company you already know that you are familiar with, but it seems suspicious, pull it up in a new search and go directly to the company’s website or call customer service to check it out.
5. Only Submit Sensitive Information on Secured Websites
When entering credit card information or other personal information over the Internet, always make sure the site is secure. Check that the site begins with “https://” and look for a padlock next to it. The “S” at the end of http signifies that the site is secure, meaning information being sent and received is encrypted.
Never enter any personal information on a website that doesn’t include these indicators.
6. Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi on Sensitive Transactions
Public Wi-Fi (like coffee shops, airports, hotels, etc.) is often a good place for hackers to access your data. Do not access your bank, shopping sites, or sensitive business emails over public Wi-Fi networks.
If you need to access sensitive data, use a trusted VPN (virtual private network) that encrypts your internet traffic and protects your data from identity thieves or hackers.
7. Reduce the Level of Personal Information You Post
The more personal information you share online, the more they have to target you. Be careful what you put on social media, like your birthday, where you live, your phone number, or even when you are going away on holiday.
Hackers combine whatever data they can gather for identity-theft and social engineering scams. Use your privacy settings to restrict who can see what you’ve posted, and periodically check your profiles!
8. Add Trusted Security Software
A good malware antivirus or internet security program can keep you safe from malware, ransomware, spyware, and online threats. Here are best practices to look for:
Real-time protection.
Regular, automatic updates.
Web and phishing protection.
Firewall protection.
Don’t depend on free software only and invest in a registered, evidence-based, quality product, preferably one that provides full-spectrum protection.
9. Periodically Delete Browser Data
Web browsers retain cookies, history, and cached files that show much information about your online activity. Giving away more than you imagined would be related to the history of your browsing. This information, over time, can be used to track you or to act against you if your device has been compromised.
Historically, people would clear their browsers’ cache and cookies on a regular basis. Today, almost modern browsers have a feature that can:
Block third-party cookies.
Use a private window for private browsing.
Enable “Do Not Track”.
These work on those websites that have those capabilities.
10. Stay Informed
Digital threats are changing all the time, and so must you. Always stay reading the following:
– A cybersecurity blog.
– A technology news site.
– Occasionally, your government/country advisories.
Staying educated is on your side to keep informed about scams, phishing attempts, and suspicious actions. Understanding what these could look like makes all the difference.
Staying safe while browsing is not about being technical. It’s about being mindful and having good habits. The more you do these things, the better you can protect your personal information, avoid accidents and enjoy the Internet in a safe manner.
Stay safe, stay smart and surf safely.
