7 Internet Safety Tips
In today’s fast-paced world, most people spend a significant amount of time online. The Internet has become a very important part of our lives, allowing us to connect with friends and family around the globe.
However, the use of the Internet also comes with some risks, such as bullying, cyberbullying, phishing scams, identity theft, malware and viruses. If you want to stay safe online, follow these seven simple steps.
1. Be Smart And Cautious About Sharing Personal Information
The internet is extremely powerful tool and gives us access to many things we never could have imagined before. You may think that someone or some company you interact with online is safe, but often times they aren't. The web contains malicious sites that use malicious programs that collect personal information about visitors who go to them. These sites then sell that data to corporations or government agencies in order to exploit their users. It is very important to have strong safety practices in place and to know what exactly you share.
2. Create Complex Password
Make your own passwords complex! Have hard-to-remember phrases, numbers, names, dates, and other unique items. When using a password manager, you won’t need to remember any of them. Instead, they will all be stored safely for you and only accessible when you want to use them.
3. Check Website Reliability
When browsing the web, there will always be ads popping up and links leading to sites that seem promising at first but end up being scams. Make sure to check websites before clicking and going to them. If you think a link looks sketchy or you aren’t sure about visiting a website, choose something else instead.
4. Keep Software Updated
Software updates continue to release bug fixes to software programs. Hackers may exploit these bugs in order to gain unauthorized access to your computer. Make sure to keep your operating system and browser updated so that any bugs are fixed before they become widespread.
5. Avoid Unnecessary Downloads
There are lots of ways to download files without actually downloading anything. Free file hosting sites have millions of files available for free, while torrent sites allow you to download videos and movies without paying a dime. There are plenty of legitimate ways to share files over the internet, however, avoid sharing pirated content. Even though you might have downloaded it legally, others around the world may steal it from you.
6. Manage App Permissions
Apps need permission to access different parts of your phone. Before installing any apps, make sure they ask for permission to access your contacts, location, microphone, camera, etc. Once installed, be aware where the app stores data and what information it collects. If you're not comfortable with it, don't install it until you know more.
7. Be Careful with Public Wifi
Public WiFi often comes with free internet access, but it doesn't mean the password is safe. Hackers can easily use the password to gain access to your personal information and ruin your day. Even worse, hackers could potentially infect your device with malware. Be careful while using public Wi-Fi!
