With the rise of modern technology, many things we do these days involve being online. Using browsers is one of the easiest ways for malware to get into your network and online safety is paramount to keep yourself protected. Data breaches often occur for anyone such as individuals, businesses, schools, websites, and even government agencies! It is vital for everyone to keep safe on the internet and protect your privacy and information. But how can you do this?
There are several simple methods you can put in place to protect yourself when online. Try these tips to keep you safe on the internet and protect yourself and others when using online technology.
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Use Antivirus Software & Update It
Antivirus software is a great way to help protect your privacy and information when online. Antivirus not only fends off actual computer viruses, but it protects against various malware. These malware can include:
- Ransomware– This encrypts your files and demands payment so you can restore them.
- Trojan Horse Programs– This malware seems like a valid program, but they steal your private information.
- Bots– These can bring lots of spam to your device and bogus services that antivirus protects against.
Once you have downloaded an antivirus software, make sure to stay on top of it regularly. Look it over every now and then to see if it is working correctly and ensure to keep it updated. Many antivirus softwares display a green banner or icon to show everything is updated and working okay. It also displays that nothing has infiltrated your device too.
If you ever see yellow or red on the software, follow the instructions to get your device back on track and protected. It is best to get an antivirus software rather than relying on built-in ones as they are more efficient and detect threats better than built-in systems. Remember to renew your software each year to keep protected or opt into automatic renewal so you don’t forget.
Disable Saved Passwords
Every browser offers a built-in password manager to enable you to save usernames and passwords for every login. However, this may make password management easier, but it comes with a risk, especially if your device is stolen or lost. This information can also be stolen by malicious software as login and passwords aren’t well protected. To further protect your accounts and logins, ensure to turn off the saved passwords feature on your browser.
This can be different depending on the browser. For Chrome open settings, select passwords, and uncheck offer to save passwords and auto sign-in. For Microsoft Edge select settings and then passwords and autofill, then use the toggle to turn off all three functions.
Use Security Browser Extensions
Make sure to use security browser extensions or add-ons to add functionality to your browser. Each browser has thousands of extensions to choose from that serve a variety of actions. Among these are security and privacy extensions that help protect your online privacy and security.
They can block access to malicious websites and enable HTTPS for everything to block cookies and IP addresses. Choose security browser extensions that work for you and your usage of your device. Make sure they add a layer of protection needed to keep you safe at all times when using the internet.
Create Unique Passwords For Every Login
A popular way that hackers steal information from you is by getting a bulk of username and password combinations from a source and trying the combinations elsewhere. They can receive this information from anywhere, such as hacking an email provider.
They will then try to use your username and password for other apps and logins, like your bank. If these are the same, they can easily access your information and use it to steal from you. To prevent this, it is ideal to create unique yet memorable passwords for every login. Try to avoid having the same password for everything, especially when it comes to your most sensitive information.
Get A VPN
If you regularly connect to Wi-Fi that you don’t own, it is best to install a VPN to keep you safe online. Every time you use a Wi-Fi connection in a public space, you don’t know anything about the security of that network and how safe you actually are using it. Due to this, there is a possibility that someone else using the same network can look through files and data or even steal them.
Getting a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, routing it through a server that is owned by the VPN company. This prevents anyone from snooping on your data when in public places. VPN also hides your IP address so that advertisers and trackers will only see the VPN company’s address instead of yours.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Having multi-factor authentication can be a little annoying but it really makes your accounts more secure. It means that you need to pass another layer of authentication, not just your username and password, to get into your accounts. If an account has very sensitive information and allows multi-factor authentication, then you should enable it to help keep it safe.
Multi-factor authentication verifies your identity using various forms of authentication such as something you have, something you know, or something you are. What you know relates to your password, what you are could mean authentication using your fingerprint or facial recognition, and what you have in your device. Many multi-factor authentication systems ask you to enter a code sent via an app or text. If this wasn’t you requesting access, you can follow the steps provided by the alert to protect your account.
Manage Browser Cookies
Managing your browser cookies is a simple and effective way to keep you safe when using the internet. Browser cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on your web browser when you visit them. This is so they can remember you and your interactions with the sites. Cookies aren’t necessarily bad, but they can lead to problems if you get infected with malware.
Malware can easily steal your cookie information so try to reduce your cookie tracking. Cookies can’t be completely stopped but there are ways to reduce the amount of tracking. You can choose your cookie preferences on many websites by clicking the manage cookies button when the pop-up appears. This will show you the list of cookie options that you can decline manually, leading to only essential cookies tracking you. You can also reject all cookies on each website or disable them in your browser.
Watch Out For Phishing Scams Or Clickbait\
A huge aspect of keeping yourself safe online is all about being smart about what you click on. Try avoiding clickbait and phishing scams that can appear in multiple ways. With clickbait, it’s easy to just assume this means catchy headlines and cute compilation videos, but it can be so much more than this. Clickbait can also appear in email, messaging apps, and social media and can comprise links.
Phishing links masquerade as secure websites in an effort to trick you into giving your information. Using a phishing scam link can cause malware to automatically download and infect your device as well as compromising your sensitive information.
Try not to click on links given in emails or messages, unless they have come from a source you know and trust. Even with this, be cautious as it may have been compromised. The same applies to social media even if it seems to be from your friends or family. If it seems out of character for them, it’s most likely a scam and not them.
To help you identify these scams, check the email address at the top of the email, or check with the source to see if they have actually contacted you. They will quickly tell you if it was them or not. If you have a business and are worried about setting your IT up safely to protect everyone, use an IT service in your local area. For example, if you are based in the UK, you could look for IT services within Peterborough if your business is near there.
Conclusion
Try these tips to increase your online safety and keep you safe on the internet to ensure your privacy is safe and that your sensitive information is secure too. It is easier than ever for your data to be compromised, so using these methods will help reduce the risk of this occurring!
