The Internet is a great place to share your thoughts, ideas, information, and even learn something new from time to time! But it can also be a dangerous place thanks to the malicious intent of some individuals that seek to gather your information, hack your accounts, or even steal your money or pretend to be you.
To stop this from happening, there are many ways you can protect yourself from these attacks, some involve strong passwords while others may be antivirus software, and some may even seem like common sense. Here are the Top 9 rules for internet safety while on the web!
Top 9 Internet Safety Rules for Secure Web Browsing
1. Limit What Personal Information You Share
Every time you share something on the internet, it is available for anyone with access to that link, site, or post to see what you’ve said and stated. Due to this, if someone wants to steal your information they can easily get your basic information like your name and date of birth from social sites like Facebook. These sites have increased their protection due to this, but some information can still slip through the barriers.
You should limit what personal information you share at all costs on any available website, as an added way to avoid unwanted people from taking details from you.
2. Try Using a VPN for Enhanced Safety
VPNs are great ways to protect your information and computer from unwanted viewers, as it alters your IP address and scrambles it to a random one so no one can truly track your location or view your data for themselves.
VPNs can be installed via their sites online and often offer a free version or a trial to test how you like it before you purchase the full version. It is highly recommended you do this to keep your information safe with an extra line of defense. Look for a list of trusted VPN providers to find one in your price range.
3. Be Careful When Downloading from Unknown Sites
Besides browsing social media, watching videos, and shopping, downloading information, games, or data, is a high volume process that happens on computers or when on the internet. Commonly, anyone going to any site is looking for something wanting to download or find it and have it installed on the computer, that’s fine.
But when you go to a random unknown site that you’ve never visited before, you should be careful of downloading anything from it. These random sites may seem friendly but could have malware that will infect your computer and put viruses that will do more than slow down your computer, but also steal your information and hack into other accounts.
4. Make Strong and Unpredictable Passwords
Your password is your first line of defense, both into your computer and your accounts. Many sites now have their standards on what kind of password you need to make with special characters, etc, even Google will offer to make you a password that is only saved to Google that is a mix of different characters.
Passwords should be strong and unpredictable, nothing relevant to you, your name, date of birth, or things everyone knows or will try. It should be unique, confusing, and only you should know it.
5. Never Put Financial Information on Unsecured Sites
Of course, you’re going to go to many sites to purchase things, maybe Steam if you play games to purchase games, or to Amazon if you’re looking for furniture, books, or even clothing! The point is, it’s fine to spend money and use your cards online IF the site is secured and safe.
But if you’re going to a website that isn’t trusted or popular, it could be quite sketchy. It could be quite likely it’s a site that isn’t as secure and could let hackers or other people take your information. Perhaps even the people you’re purchasing from could take your information after giving you the product. Just be safe and smart about entering your sensitive information.
6. Have an Antivirus Software Installed and Ready
While you may think antivirus software is only used to fight against viruses and stop them after they land onto your computer, this software can also protect your accounts and browsing online. Many of these will let you know or even block you from entering a website that is not trusted or that has been listed as malicious activity.
Antivirus software is great for preemptive protection from viruses and hacks, while also helping stop the virus after it has been invested into your computer or information.
7. Don’t Trust Everyone You Meet Online
You wouldn’t trust everyone you meet in life from just a few conversations or small run-ins. So you shouldn’t do so online either. While yes, many people may have good intentions and only want to build friendships or relationships online with others as a part of social interaction. Others will also have malicious intent to steal or harm you.
The simple thing is to take part in online interactions and make friends, but don’t trust everyone fully until you’ve known them for a long amount of time. Online life is just another aspect of life, it doesn’t mean the rules have changed.
8. Beware of Free WiFi Not Offering by Businesses
While it’s true, many businesses will now try offering free wifi to those who come into their establishments and want to do business so they can make a more welcoming atmosphere to the new age of technology. And for the most part, this free internet that is being offered has its protection and privacy settings to help against your information being parted to other sources. These are the ones you should be worrying about.
The ones you don’t want are the ones that are found in random locations, that are offered via a hotspot or some high quality without a password or sight of protection. While in your mind you may think, “Great! Free WiFi!” that is exactly what they want you to think so you could connect and they slowly seep into your device taking your information. As always, be careful!
9. Staying Safe Online
The internet is a great resource that allows us to connect to many different people, find information that would be unknown to many, and has enhanced our understanding of technology and others for all time. But that doesn’t mean that it is a safe place at all times.
Malicious characters with the intent to get your data could be lurking behind any corner. It’s up to you to defend your data and information at all costs, so you should look into different ways to enhance your safety and protection.
The best ways would be to limit what you share, create a strong password, and not always trust free WiFi. But you should also look into VPNs, and other antivirus software to help enhance your privacy to make your surfing safer and more secure.
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