Today’s online world is a far cry from the utopia it was once promised to be. The internet is packed full of millions of nefarious websites that are designed to scam innocent people out of their hard earned cash. Some sites claim to be trusted sources and then attempt to steal your banking passwords, while others exist solely to infect your computer with viruses and malware.
While there have been many advancements in online security (and in some ways shopping online is safer than ever) there are still many ways that criminals are using the internet to steal from people like you. As a result, you need to take measures to keep yourself safe online. When it comes to online security, you are your own first line of defense.
Follow these 5 tips to increase your online security and defend yourself from cyber criminals.
5 Tips to keep yourself safe online
1. Make sure that you always update your security software
Today’s security software is often set to automatically update, meaning that you can stay safe online without having to remember this crucial step. There are new online threats emerging every day, and your security software is your first line of defense.
When the alert pops up advising you to allow the security update to run, never put this off for later. Allow the updates to process automatically – the few minutes that it takes to restart your computer can save you the endless time, hassle, and money it costs when you get hacked.
2. Only visit websites that have HTTPS certification
Have you ever navigated to a website, only to receive a message from Google Chrome (arguably the most secure browser around) that the site you are trying to access isn’t secure? If this has happened to you, Google has been trying to alert you that you might be at risk, because the site did not have an HTTPS certificate.
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, and it adds an extra layer of online security for sites that deal in e-commerce or financial transactions. Insecure websites are often the playground of hackers and cybercriminals, allowing them to snatch your most important personal information. Never enter your payment details into any website that does not utilize an HTTPS encryption.
3. Use strong passwords, and change them often
Are you the kind of person who uses the same password for multiple devices and websites? If you are, you are not alone – but you need to get smart and change this behavior ASAP. You should use strong passwords that contain a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols, and change them on a regular basis.
Worried that you won’t be able to remember all your different passwords? There are a few helpful apps and plug-ins that can help you keep track of everything, ensuring that you stay safe online with a minimal amount of hassle.
4. Never open suspicious emails
Every day, countless people around the world receive potentially dangerous spam emails, and many people mistakenly open them. Even the savviest techie can be duped by the ever-increasing sophistication of phishing emails. The best of the bunch are laced with viruses and malware, some of which are even designed to hold your information hostage unless you pay the thieves a hefty fee. This type of malware is known as ransomware.
No matter how legitimate these emails seem, if you don’t know the sender, don’t take the risk. Importantly, remember that your bank, service providers, or utility companies will never send you an email requesting passwords or personal information. Report these emails as spam, and never open them.
5. Never disclose your private info over open WiFi networks
Free and open WiFi abounds in airports, stadiums, public plazas, shopping malls, and educational campuses, making it easy to stay connected wherever you go. But can you trust these open WiFi networks? Absolutely not.
Only connect your device to a venue’s official WiFi networks, and make sure that you can see the ‘lock’ symbol next to the connection. You need to be especially wary of unofficial WiFi networks that ask for your personal data as a condition of logging in – these are likely phishing for your info.
6. It pays to keep yourself safe online
Using the internet is a vital part of today’s world, and many aspects of your personal and professional life must be conducted online. You can’t afford to take online security lightly – always pay attention to the factors listed above, and stay safe online.