Careless commenting, old pictures from the past, and, in the worst-case scenario, identity theft, and data attacks – the internet may have opened up our world with easier communication but we can’t deny there are a few risks associated with it. However, that doesn’t mean you should fear the internet. Instead, you need to be a little savvy with your online safety.
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Choose strong passwords
As a society, we know that our passwords should probably be improved. After all, ExpressVPN’s password infographic shows that some of the most common phrases are generic and easily predictable terms like ‘password’ or ‘123456’. Not just this, but their survey of 1,000 US adults found that most people use the same phrase for around six different sites, and nearly half believe their loved ones would be able to guess their password.
While you might be tempted to use one of the above phrases because of how easy it is to remember, consider how easy it might be for hackers to guess them too. Instead, experts say we should think about words and phrases that aren’t grammatically correct or in the dictionary. Swap the letter i for the number 1, for example, and never use personal information such as your birth date, last name, or first name – which is what 40% currently admit to doing. A password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols, and is over 12 characters, is said to be the optimum choice.
Be sensible online
Firewall Times explains that it’s common for companies to track you as you browse the web. This is so they can get to know your preferences and show adverts that you’ll like. However, hackers can track you just as easily as marketers! Don’t worry, though, as it’s easy to ask companies to not track you and many social media sites have privacy settings that mean only your friends can see your content.
You should also consider what sites you’re visiting and what content you’re downloading. One click can soon result in a data breach or a bug being installed onto your software. Always check sender email addresses before opening or clicking on any links and, if you don’t recognize a website or brand, be wary of visiting or doing business with it. Boston University says you can identify a secure website in the URL. Look for one that has ‘https:’ at the start instead of ‘http’ as the s stands for secure.
Stay private
Source: Pexels
This advice relates to both the content you share and your connection. First, remember that whatever you post will always be out there in some sort of form – even if you delete it. This is because although you may remove the original post, others may have copied it or even shared it.
Next, be sure that your internet connection is secure and private. Public networks are great and allow us to access the internet when we’re out and about. But these networks are not always secure so important transactions and sensitive communications should always be left for private networks at home. That way, you’re preventing your data and information from falling into the wrong hands.
These are just a few ways you can boost your privacy and security online. Ultimately, you need to be careful what you’re browsing, take note of where it’s coming from, and remember to keep your information and data secure – in the same way that you would if it were a physical document or credit card.
