The internet is the most useful tool our society has today. You can get access to information from literally any subject you like, you can do your shopping online, work online, and even get a college degree online. But with all of these perks comes negatives affects to using the internet. There are many risks such as getting a virus on your computer, or even getting your identity stolen. To avoid anything like this from happening, follow these tips to keep you more secure online.
Personal Information:
1. Be aware of impersonators and make sure you know whos getting your personal or financial information. Don't give away any personal information away over the phone or via email unless you've confirmed that you are giving it to a secure source.
2. Safely dispose of all personal information on old devices. On a computer, use a utility wipe program to erase all information off your computers hard drive. When getting rid of a phone, make sure you factory reset your phone before getting rid of it for good to make sure there is nothing that can be accessed on it. (How to factory reset your phone on Android & on iPhone)
1. Install anti-virus and anti-malware software, a software like the previously mentioned MacAfee is recommended to keep your device clean and secure.
Personal Information:
1. Be aware of impersonators and make sure you know whos getting your personal or financial information. Don't give away any personal information away over the phone or via email unless you've confirmed that you are giving it to a secure source.
2. Safely dispose of all personal information on old devices. On a computer, use a utility wipe program to erase all information off your computers hard drive. When getting rid of a phone, make sure you factory reset your phone before getting rid of it for good to make sure there is nothing that can be accessed on it. (How to factory reset your phone on Android & on iPhone)
3. Encrypt your data, make sure you use encryption software to make sure your data is secure. You can find many options to chose from here.
4. Keep passwords private, make sure you use complex passwords and keep them all written down somewhere safe. And don't let anyone untrustworthy know your password information.
Safe Web Browsing:
1. Install antivirus software, many computers will come with a free year long subscription to an antivirus software. After that you can purchase subscriptions, MacAfee is a recommended antivirus software to get.
2. Use a firewall to filter all information that goes into your computer. This will help prevent hackers from gaining access to your device.
3. Beware of sites that use cookies. Cookies save information when you go onto websites, make sure that you don't get any untrustworthy information to sketchy websites. To learn how to disable cookies, click here.
Using Public Wi-Fi:
1. Be careful on where you are and what Wi-Fi networks you join. Make sure you turn off file sharing on your device before you join the network to avoid people gaining access to your information.
2. Use a VPN (virtual private network) when on public Wi-Fi. This will encrypt all traffic between your device and the VPN, and makes it much more difficult for someone to access your information.
3. Make sure the lock in the top left of your browser is present, and avoid using apps or websites that hold any of your personal or financial information. Also make sure your URL's are using a HTTPS to make sure your browsing is secure.
Malware:
1. Install anti-virus and anti-malware software, a software like the previously mentioned MacAfee is recommended to keep your device clean and secure.
2. Run scans regularly on your anti-virus software. Many software programs will have automatic scans but it is recommended to make sure you manually scan it often to make sure your device doesn't have any viruses or malware.
3. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date. Check daily for any updates to make sure that your software is running at 100%.
Phishing:
1. Learn how to spot fraudulent emails. Many hackers will duplicate an official company's logo and identity and will use similar email addresses in an attempt to get your personal information. Your bank will never ask for your personal information via email so don't fall for those tricks.
2. Don't click hyperlinks attached to a banks email, they could often be fraudulent and will result in phishing.
3. Phishing doesn't just apply to banking. It can be related to eBay, Facebook, PayPal, etc. So make sure you be extra careful when opening emails from related websites.
4. Turn on two-factor authentication for websites that apply it.
Online Trafficking:
1. Many of the tips to online tracking have already been discussed. Toggle the accessibility of cookies and make sure you are on secure websites.
2. Also consider installing ad blocking software to avoid unwanted ads.
Passwords Management:
1. Try to avoid easy to obtain passwords such as names, phone numbers, or addresses.
2. Have many premade passwords that are complex at the ready to avoid coming up with a simple one on the spot.
3. Use unique, different passwords for every application and website.
4. Change your passwords often and keep all of your passwords physically written down somewhere safe.
Mobile Device/Smart Phone Security:
1. Use a passcode lock on all mobile devices, keep them complex and make them different for each one, just like your passwords, keep all of your passcodes written down somewhere secure. Also use a phones fingerprint scanner if it has one for extra security.
2. Protect your mobile device just a your computer by installing anti-virus and malware software. Along with apps that clean your device of unwanted files and information.
3. Avoid giving away sensitive information such as your social security number on a mobile device. A computer connected to your home internet is much more secure.
4. Like mentioned before, be careful on any untrustworthy or public Wi-Fi network. Do not use any banking apps or anything you wouldn't want hackers to have access to.
5. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth abilities when not in use to avoid automatic connections and tracking software.
Laptop/Computer Security:
1. Many of the tips that have already been discussed apply to laptop and computer security. Download a recommended antivirus software such as MacAfee or Norton.
2. Protect sensitive data and make sure important data is backed up on a hard drive and a secured network.
3. Avoid phishing scams and other suspicious ads or emails.
4. Be careful on public or unsecured Wi-Fi like discussed before in the other topics.
File Sharing On Peer-To-Peer Networks:
1. Make sure that you are on a secured internet network and not a largely public place with devices near by. Apple's air drop function is one of the easiest ways for a hacker to obtain information.
2. Make sure you are only file sharing with a trusted and secure person who you know personally.
Online Shopping:
1. Only share payment information with reputable vendors.
2. Use a credit card instead of a debit card to avoid fraudulent charges that can be disputed with the use of a credit card instead of being instantly spent with a debit card.
3. Make sure the order checkout area is encrypted, many sites use SSL technology to encrypt flowing between your computer and the stores server. Which is typically indicated with a padlock icon in the top left.
Wi-Fi Home Appliances:
1. On the Amazon Alexa, it is recommended to turn off the ability to automatically make purchases via that device especially if young children are around your device often.
2. Don't give any personal information such as payment info (unless needed and used often) to your device to avoid being compromised.
3. Turn off your device when not in use to avoid it picking up unwanted information and to avoid outsiders to gain access to your device.
How To Secure Your Wi-Fi Network:
1. Make sure your Wi-Fi network has a secure, complex password and refrain to giving it out as much as you can.
2. Place your router in the middle of your home. Along with giving it the best coverage, it also makes your Wi-Fi harder to reach by people outside of your home.
3. Disconnect your router when your not home and when its not in use to avoid outsiders to obtain your network information.
4. Disable your network sharing to keep your information safe.
I hope these tips will help you with your online safety and that you continue to use them thought your web browsing to maintain secure!
Phishing:
1. Learn how to spot fraudulent emails. Many hackers will duplicate an official company's logo and identity and will use similar email addresses in an attempt to get your personal information. Your bank will never ask for your personal information via email so don't fall for those tricks.
2. Don't click hyperlinks attached to a banks email, they could often be fraudulent and will result in phishing.
3. Phishing doesn't just apply to banking. It can be related to eBay, Facebook, PayPal, etc. So make sure you be extra careful when opening emails from related websites.
4. Turn on two-factor authentication for websites that apply it.
Online Trafficking:
1. Many of the tips to online tracking have already been discussed. Toggle the accessibility of cookies and make sure you are on secure websites.
2. Also consider installing ad blocking software to avoid unwanted ads.
Passwords Management:
1. Try to avoid easy to obtain passwords such as names, phone numbers, or addresses.
2. Have many premade passwords that are complex at the ready to avoid coming up with a simple one on the spot.
3. Use unique, different passwords for every application and website.
4. Change your passwords often and keep all of your passwords physically written down somewhere safe.
Mobile Device/Smart Phone Security:
1. Use a passcode lock on all mobile devices, keep them complex and make them different for each one, just like your passwords, keep all of your passcodes written down somewhere secure. Also use a phones fingerprint scanner if it has one for extra security.
2. Protect your mobile device just a your computer by installing anti-virus and malware software. Along with apps that clean your device of unwanted files and information.
3. Avoid giving away sensitive information such as your social security number on a mobile device. A computer connected to your home internet is much more secure.
4. Like mentioned before, be careful on any untrustworthy or public Wi-Fi network. Do not use any banking apps or anything you wouldn't want hackers to have access to.
5. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth abilities when not in use to avoid automatic connections and tracking software.
Laptop/Computer Security:
1. Many of the tips that have already been discussed apply to laptop and computer security. Download a recommended antivirus software such as MacAfee or Norton.
2. Protect sensitive data and make sure important data is backed up on a hard drive and a secured network.
3. Avoid phishing scams and other suspicious ads or emails.
4. Be careful on public or unsecured Wi-Fi like discussed before in the other topics.
File Sharing On Peer-To-Peer Networks:
1. Make sure that you are on a secured internet network and not a largely public place with devices near by. Apple's air drop function is one of the easiest ways for a hacker to obtain information. 2. Make sure you are only file sharing with a trusted and secure person who you know personally.
Online Shopping:
1. Only share payment information with reputable vendors.
2. Use a credit card instead of a debit card to avoid fraudulent charges that can be disputed with the use of a credit card instead of being instantly spent with a debit card.
3. Make sure the order checkout area is encrypted, many sites use SSL technology to encrypt flowing between your computer and the stores server. Which is typically indicated with a padlock icon in the top left.
Wi-Fi Home Appliances:
1. On the Amazon Alexa, it is recommended to turn off the ability to automatically make purchases via that device especially if young children are around your device often.
2. Don't give any personal information such as payment info (unless needed and used often) to your device to avoid being compromised.
3. Turn off your device when not in use to avoid it picking up unwanted information and to avoid outsiders to gain access to your device.
How To Secure Your Wi-Fi Network:
1. Make sure your Wi-Fi network has a secure, complex password and refrain to giving it out as much as you can.
2. Place your router in the middle of your home. Along with giving it the best coverage, it also makes your Wi-Fi harder to reach by people outside of your home.
3. Disconnect your router when your not home and when its not in use to avoid outsiders to obtain your network information.
4. Disable your network sharing to keep your information safe.
I hope these tips will help you with your online safety and that you continue to use them thought your web browsing to maintain secure!
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