How to be safe on the internet
Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new threats. In recent years, criminals have shifted their efforts into cyberspace — with the right tools and know-how, they can commit crimes in the comfort of their living rooms.
They use malware, phishing, and spam to scam victims out of various amounts of money. Whether it is online banking systems, email accounts, or even online store memberships, everything is up for grabs because criminals can make a profit on virtually anything.
While the internet can sometimes seem like a jungle of a million different threats, you can take steps to protect yourself.
Authentication
Use strong and unique passwords
When you’re creating a password for your account, make sure to include a mix of numbers, symbols, and letters, both uppercase and lowercase. Avoid using the same passwords for multiple accounts. It’s harder to remember, but it will keep your information much safer.
Enable two-step or multi-factor authentication on your accounts if possible
Multi-factor authentication makes an account even more secure by requiring extra information to let you log in (such as a code sent to your phone). Many large email providers and social media accounts offer this service.
Sign up for accounts on legitimate sites only
Consider very carefully before you make an account on a website, even if it just requires giving your email address. No matter how secure your passwords are, using them on unsafe sites will put your information in danger.
If it is not your personal pc, log out of your account from that pc after you have done using it
Logging into a site creates a cookie in your browser, which identifies you and, if stolen, can compromise your account. This is especially an issue on sites that hold sensitive information, like your bank account or credit card number, so it’s always best practice to log out (if it is not your pc) once you’re finished.
Websites
Beware of phishing and ads
Avoid clicking on websites that look fishy. If you are quite familiar with the Internet, you can easily spot these tricks like “click-bait”, adware, pop-ups, etc.
Clear your browsing history often
Almost all the sites you visit have access to your cookies (small text files that record your preferences) and let sites respond to them, often to show you more relevant ads. However, cookies can also be used by hackers as a way to get your personal information.
In the case of Online Shopping -
Do online shopping only on encrypted sites — Check the URL to make sure that it starts with “https” rather than “http” because https is the updated version of http and has proper encryption.
You can also use web browser extensions that rewrite requests to these sites (HTTP) to HTTPS. One such extension is HTTPS Everywhere which is available in most of the web browsers.
Don’t Save Financial Information on Shopping Sites — Many shopping sites let you save your credit card information in your online account. This setup makes it easier to make purchases in the future, as your billing and shipping addresses and credit card information are stored. However, if you can access this information, so can hackers. Rather than store your credit cards and addresses in your accounts, spend the extra minute to enter your information each time you make a purchase.
Emails
Spam Email Prevention
You should be alert for spam and phishing emails that attempt to steal your identity. Spam emails pose a threat to consumers because they’re commonly laden with malware or, in many cases, they lead victims to malicious websites designed to scam individuals. Typical spam messages include off-shore pharmaceutical ads, pump-and-dump stock schemes and general unsolicited advertising. These emails lead the unwary to fake sites, which then usually include “notifications” about their accounts being at risk or needing updates. A simple click on these notifications will compromise your computer’s security.
Phishing Prevention
Phishing is another common type of cybercrime. Victims receive an email — usually appearing to be from a bank or a financial institution — saying the victim’s account is in jeopardy and that he or she must “confirm” some details to save the account. The emails contain links that appear to go to the proper financial site, however, they actually go to the criminals’ servers, where they steal your account credentials. As a rule of thumb, it is best to never click links in emails to get to a website. Instead, if you get a notice from a company, you can open your browser and type the website name directly into the address bar. If it turns out your account is OK, you can then call or email the company to report the phishing message.
Smartphones
Enable encryption software on your phone
Many smartphones come encrypted, meaning that their software scrambles your information so it can’t be accessed by unauthorized users. To check if your phone is encrypted, go to its settings and click on the security tab.
Phones like iPhones, newer Androids, and Google’s Pixel phones are pre-encrypted and make sure you buy the right one.
You can enable encryption software on your Android in its security menu. For extra protection, you can download encryption applications from the app store.
Download apps from verified stores only
The easiest way for viruses to get into your phone is through downloads like apps. “Official” stores like the Apple app store or the Google Play store can typically be considered safe places to buy apps, better if you never download one from any other website.
Set your Bluetooth to “non-discoverable.”
Although your phone’s Bluetooth isn’t as easy to hack into as a wireless network, hackers can still use it to access your phone remotely when they’re in range. To prevent this, set your Bluetooth’s default to “non-discoverable” so you don’t pop up on hackers’ radar.
Other Areas
Be Careful Who You Trust
Catfishing has made headlines quite a few times in the last few years, and this online scam doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. Catfishing happens when a person sets up a fake online profile – usually on social media or dating sites – and targets people with the goal of asking for money.
Catfishers are in it for the long game and may try to strike up an online relationship for months before asking for money. The losses can be extreme, averaging more than $15,000 per victim. To avoid catfishing, don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know and never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If a situation ever feels fishy, trust your gut, and cut off contact with that individual.
WiFi
Your home Wi-Fi network is another entry point for hackers. Make sure you have a hard-to-crack password and consider security software that identifies “intruders” on the network. Use WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2) for your security method.
Be cautious when you use public WiFi, don’t store personal or financial information while browsing in that WiFi. If you often need WiFi on the go, try buying a virtual private network (VPN), a piece of hardware that can create a secure, private connection from anywhere.
Use Firewalls and Encryption
Firewalls help regulate network traffic, both inbound and outbound. That includes blocking off certain sketchy websites. Encryption is essential if you’re dealing with financial transactions, especially if you’re a business owner. Encryption software scrambles the data so that even if the information falls in the wrong hands, it’s useless unless the crooks also have access to the encryption key.
Install Antivirus Software
Fortunately, many internet providers bundle in some halfway decent antivirus software with their service. If your provider doesn’t, then pick up something from Norton, McAfee, or Symantec; it’s not expensive, and it’ll pay for itself in the long run. Also, when you install the program, make sure it’s running!
Keep your computer’s software up to date
Most software updates come with security upgrades and patches, so it’s important that you have the latest version at all times. To easily download updates as soon as they come out, turn on automatic updates in your computer’s settings.
