How You Can Protect Your Information Online

1. Use Incognito mode

All major web browsers, like Firefox or Google Chrome, have an ‘incognito’ mode. These are the modes that enable you to surf the Internet without saving any files from the websites you visit. This type of protection is rather minimal because the websites can see your data nonetheless. However, this mode is essential if you want to leave less of a trace. For example, this method is perfect if you don’t want another person who uses the same computer to know what you’ve been doing online.

On Chrome, in order to use the incognito mode, you can either press Ctrl+Shift+N or the ‘New incognito window’ when you open the drop-down menu.If you use Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+N, or choose ‘New private window’ in the menu.

2. Avoid clicking on links or attachments:

Cybercriminals do a good job of tricking people into clicking on links supposedly from their bank, telecom operator, electric or gas company, tax service and other legitimate organisations. Think before you click – spelling errors, email addresses that don’t seem right, and out-of-the blue communications from friends should be treated with utmost caution. It’s better to manually enter the URL of the organisation in question to log into your account to verify any communications before clicking. In doubt, call the organization or your friend to verify before clicking.

3. Passwords are the keys to your digital kingdom:

Use unique, complex passwords with a combination of lower and upper-case letters, numbers and symbols and do not use the same password across your accounts. Feeling frazzled to remember them all and keep your accounts safe? Use Norton Identity Safe to help protect your accounts with sophisticated, unique passwords, without the headache of remembering which password to use across your accounts.

4. Keep all software on your PC up-to-date with the latest updates and patches:

keeping your software up-to-date, potential vulnerabilities (including zero-days) can be patched and help keep cybercriminals and hackers at bay.

5.Verify the web site you are on is safe :

Before entering your payment details into any web site, check that the URL begins with https – the “s” stands for “secure.” If a site has obvious typographical errors, or no evidence of security information or recognised symbols, avoid it. If in doubt, click on the VeriSign tick to verify a site’s identity, and if possible use a high security web browser that displays the green EV SSL address bar.

6. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2-FA) :

Many online services offer one form of 2FA or another. 2FA requires you to have access to another device or account to verify that you really are who you say you are. This makes it harder for hackers to get access to your online accounts. Look for ‘Security’ or ‘Log-In’ settings in various online accounts, and try to find ‘two-factor authentication’, or ‘two-stage login’, and follow the instructions you’ll see there to activate it.