The internet is a lot of fun. You can look at memes, stay in touch with old friends, play games, educate yourself – the possibilities are endless.
But the internet can also be a scary, dangerous place. You need to protect yourself from data breaches, hackers, malware, and other threats. Do you know the basics of internet safety? If not, it’s time to learn. These tips will help you protect yourself.
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Choose a Comprehensive Antivirus Program
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your personal information online is to use a comprehensive internet security software solution. The right software will protect your devices from web threats like malware and ransomware, shield your inbox from spam and phishing emails, flag malicious sites, and protect your children, all without slowing down your device.
Windows operating systems do have Microsoft Defender Antivirus built in, but it’s simply not robust enough to provide you with the protection you need.
While there are tons of free antivirus programs available on the market, paid programs offer a wider range of features to protect your devices. You can even use a single software solution to protect all of your devices.
Secure Your Devices
There’s a reason why your devices have password protection. If you don’t have password protection enabled on your device, anyone who has access to the device has access to your personal information.
If someone were to steal your device and find it unprotected by a device password, they’d have free reign over all your data and could even gain access to your financial accounts, email, and social media.
So you should always enable password protection for your devices. Use biometric authentication whenever possible, and back that up with a strong, alphanumeric passcode.
Manage Your Passwords Wisely
You should always use a unique, strong password for each account – and it’s not a bad idea to use a unique username for each account, too. Don’t save your passwords in your browser – that’s not secure.
Instead, use a password manager. There are plenty of free ones to choose from, and they’re far more secure than storing your passwords in your browser. Besides, a password manager allows you to use your passwords across devices and networks, so you’re not chained to your browser or to a specific device. Many password managers also allow for two-factor authentication.
Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication adds another layer of security to your accounts, so you need more than just a username or password to get into your accounts. You should enable it on any account that offers it, but especially on accounts that contain your personal information, like email and social media, or on banking and financial accounts.
Two-factor authentication will require you to further verify your identity after entering your username and password, usually through facial recognition or other biometric authentication, or via a code texted to your mobile phone, or even through the use of an authenticator app.
Use a Virtual Private Network
So you’re out at your favorite coffee shop, and you brought your laptop hoping to get some work done. You’d better use a virtual private network (VPN) to hide your activity on that public network.
Anyone could be connected, and if you don’t use a VPN, anyone who connects to the network, or even the owner of the network itself, could hack into your system, steal your personal information, or dispatch malware.
A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address – it can even make it look like you’re accessing the internet from another country. No one will be able to see what you’re doing online, and your device will be protected from snoops and hackers.
Clear Your Browser History
Your browser’s cache is chock full of personal information about you. Your saved searches, cookies, and web history could help criminals find out your home address, information about your family, and more. You should clear your browser’s cache regularly to delete that information and make it harder for hackers to learn about you.
Avoid Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are one of the most common ways hackers steal money or deploy viruses and ransomware. A good antivirus program will include email filters that keep spam and phishing emails out of your inbox, but you still need to educate yourself on how to avoid phishing scams and be on your guard when opening emails.
These scams are getting increasingly sophisticated. As a good rule of thumb, don’t click on links or download attachments from someone you don’t know – and never give out your banking info, login credentials, or other personal information via email.
These days, the internet is a bustling hub of commerce, a place to socialize, a place to do your banking and pay your taxes, and more. Make sure you’re using it safely, because if you turn your back on internet safety, you’ll soon regret it.
