With the internet currently hosting over three million users on various social networking and work collaboration platforms, it’s no longer a secret how it has opened a new world for several people. Thanks to the infinite amount of information it can provide, it shows solid proof of how beneficial the internet is in the industry. Whether it is used in business, gaming, or communication, the digital space has tons of advantages to offer.
Sadly, despite the internet’s broad range of benefits, it also comes with some disadvantages. Part of these disadvantages is in the form of harm or threat to user safety.
Let’s say you are active on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You will most likely encounter several different types of trolls on the Internet that are impossible to avoid. Another possible scenario is having a child currently enrolled in school who needs to constantly browse the internet to do research. Although the availability of online references for students is convenient, your main concern as a parent is how you can keep your child safe whenever they go online.
How can you maximize the advantages of the internet while maintaining your security and the safety of your loved ones? Check out the top seven internet safety rules for everyone!
1. Keep Your Personal Information to Yourself
The golden rule of using the internet is to never share or post anything personal about yourself online. Hackers or scammers may use it to figure out your password and answers to your security questions. Nowadays, anything is possible on the internet. Also, you should be aware that anything you post about your personal life will most likely exist online forever. Even though you remove it, someone might secretly save a copy of what you share. Since your personal data is extremely valuable, you have to think twice before you share anything online.
2. Keep Your PC or Mobile Devices Updated
Having the updated security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against malware and other online threats. It may not give you protection against every potential online threat, such as scams and online trolls, but it will detect most malware. Just be sure to turn on automatic software updates so you never miss one as they help boost your security against hackers. Whatever the case, it is worth it spending a little on antimalware software.
3. Use a Strong Password
You should learn to create a hack-proof password that has at least eight characters with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Try to come up with a strong and complex password, or one that people will have a difficult time guessing or finding clues to. Never use a password that has a common phrase or personal details such as your birth date, anniversary, or a family member’s name. These types of passwords are a breeze to decipher. A strong password is the primary defense against hackers. Aside from using a strong and complex password, it would also be ideal to change your passwords every three or six months. Doing so decreases the possibility that your password gets decoded.
4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi Hotspots
When you are outside, avoid using free public Wi-Fi. Indeed, publicly available hotspots for connecting to the internet are convenient. However, it is not always safe to go online using a public connection. Hackers can set up a hotspot to lure people to log in so they can practically see everything that you do online.
If you have to use public WiFi for urgent reasons, avoid accessing your bank accounts, personal emails, and even your social media accounts. Once you get home, change your passwords immediately on the accounts that you accessed while connected to the public internet hotspots. Otherwise, you can also try using VPN software to get protection for the data you send. An even better alternative is to ensure you always have a stable data connection or postpone it until you get home.
5. Be Careful What You Post
There is a saying among internet users that goes, “There is no such thing as ‘delete’ on the Internet.” As part of the most crucial internet safety rules, never post too much information. It is understandable to feel excitement over a recent milestone, but there should still be a limit to everything. For instance, you wouldn’t want to attract predators by posting inappropriate photos of yourself, or tagging your real-time location for the whole world to see. Any comment or post that you disclose in an online community, whether it be a forum, social media post, social networking profile, or even on messaging apps can be saved through taking screenshots or apps that enable hackers to “mine” your personal data without your consent. There is no chance for you to take back what you shared that you wish you hadn’t made.
Aside from the risk of exposing your location and privacy, posting inappropriate and offensive content will also land you in hot water. Most online quarrels stem from misunderstandings and deliberately hurtful content posted by an individual who couldn’t care less about how others would feel.
Think before you post or share something that you know could potentially offend a person or a specific population in the society. If you have a joke in mind that you feel may be misinterpreted and taken negatively, then it might be best to keep it to yourself. The last thing you want is to receive death threats or get pulled into an endless exchange of hurtful and degrading words with strangers online.
6. Shop Wisely
When shopping online, make sure that the website where you purchase uses secure and updated technology. Unless Cash-On Delivery is supported, e-commerce sites will ask for your credit card details or bank account once you check out the items in your cart. Double check your account details on the website. Better yet, check customer reviews and verify first that the digital shop is a legitimate one. Some scammers are good at replicating website designs and tend to use the logo designs of renowned e-commerce shops to lure their victims.
A tell-tale sign of secure sites is if the lock icon found on the website’s address bar bears an encrypted connection, or more commonly known as “https:” The letter S at the end stands for secure, meaning that it is a safe version of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).
7. Be Wary of Suspicious Apps
As a final internet safety tip, don’t download apps that seem suspicious or have several bad reviews. A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading unprotected apps that carry malware. They do this as an attempt to steal your information. This can be disguised as a mobile game, or even a lifestyle app.
Common examples of risky mobile apps are those that create fun filters and add special effects on your photos. There have been several variations of these apps, including filters that would create a male or female version of the user by scanning the face, or the face-swapping app that replaces a celebrity’s face on a video with that of the user. With your face now fully exposed, you are granting cybercriminals full access to editing your photos and video clips and use however they want.
It is tough not to get hooked into the fun and entertainment of face-swapping apps or realistic filters. However, it would be even harder to recover your dignity once you discover that your face has already been stolen and used on pornographic material. Don’t risk your safety for momentary fun.
Another way you can identify a suspicious app from a legitimate or safe one is by checking the full details of the app. Go through the description of the app. Check out the App Permissions coupled with installing the software in your phone. Does it specify access to your camera, files, or location? If yes, then it is safer to skip it.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the internet continues to deliver the most effective and efficient ways to communicate, have fun, and learn new information. It makes people’s lives easier. On the other hand, you also don’t want to be a victim of the possible dangers lurking online.
It is vital to have sufficient knowledge of the possible risks that come with joining a digital community or downloading software. Ultimately, bearing the aforementioned seven internet safety rules and tips in mind is an excellent way to defend yourself and enjoy the benefits of an accessible and advanced tool. Have a safe online surfing experience!
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