Today, we will discuss about a simple method to help you stay safe on the internet. With all the forced global digitalization we have been all going through due to covid19, the internet has become flooded with online scams to target the average user. As of now the cyber crime rate in the world is at its highest analyzing from previous years. The saddening fact is that we are all exposed as internet users but in this article I will share with you a simple trick or method to help one stay safe on the internet.
I am sure we are all aware of cookies right? If you don’t know what cookies are, I will try and explain in simple form what I am referring to. Cookies are text files with small pieces of data like a username and password that are used to identify your device as you use the internet. Specific cookies known as HTTP cookies are used to identify specific users and improve your web browsing experience. Cookies are responsible for all the “Password Auto Fills and Auto Login” on your device.
A simple method to help you stay safe on the internet is to frequently clear up your device cookies!
Since the data in cookies doesn't change, cookies themselves aren't harmful. They can't infect computers with viruses or other malware. However, some cyber attacks can hijack cookies and enable access to your browsing sessions. The danger lies in their ability to track individuals' browsing histories. Frequently clearing up your device cookies helps you stay safe from virtual attacks. Most of the websites nowadays use cookies. A popup appears within seconds shortly after successfully logging on to a website. Cookies may contain sensitive pieces of your personal information hence they need your consent before collecting them. The user has to click Allow or Ok to continue browsing. Most of the time we just click Ok without reading because we often focus more on wanting to browse through the website. Remember every website is vulnerable to virtual attacks. So let us say a website is hacked and there is a data breach, that simply means that your cookies are now in the wrong hands and if used by an expert they can go as far as retrieving your online bank usernames and passwords. That is how banking cards are cloned and that is how social accounts are also hacked on the internet. So frequently clearing up your device cookies is a good way to keep your personal data safe on the internet. When you clear or delete your device cookies, automatically the old ones expire and become invalid. So even if someone is in possession of your cookies, they will not be able to trace any of your online accounts or even link them to you. Your cookies are your web finger prints and when used by an expert, they can lead to you. Always remember that and stay safe by clearing up your cookies at least once a month.
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