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Cyber Security Guide: 7 Important Tips On How To Work Safely Online
The Internet Is Home To Many Shady And Unsafe Characters.
It is no secret that internet trolls and shady characters have been on a rise. The simple method of merely switching off the internet is not a feasible option as you now need to work, study and do almost the maximum of your tasks online. However, below are easy and safe tips you can follow to be able to work online without fretting about cybersecurity.
Don’t Share Personal Information
This one is a given. You should never share any personal or case-sensitive information like bank passwords, addresses, or any such details online. Even information like details about your relationship, date of birth, and so on can be used to figure out the answers to your security questions. This information provides hackers an easy tip-off when it comes to guessing your password and accessing your accounts.
One misconception that people have is that they can easily delete the information they have entered. That is not the case in reality. The information will continue to exist online even after you have deleted it. Something as early as high-school blogs that you have deleted a decade ago can be accessed.
Don’t Open Unknown Links
Many times when you are on a website or check your email, you come across some random links that can seem interesting. Until you know the source of that link and have used it previously, you should not click on them. One of the easiest ways to check if a link is safe is to mouse over it, which will show the preview of the full link in the web browser bar. If the preview link matches with the site that it actually should be from then it is safe.
You can further verify it by googling the name of the company to ensure that the link to their website is the correct one. Many hackers and cybercriminals try to get you to download compromised apps and malware so that they can infest your computer.
Use Secure Wi-Fi Networks
No matter how tempting the free internet can be or how badly you need to use it, do not use unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks that are not protected by a password. If you absolutely have to use it then try to avoid logging in to your accounts online or entering any personal or financial information. Hackers use fake Wi-Fi hotspots as baits to lure unsuspecting surfers. Once you log in, they will be able to see everything you do online.
Use A VPN
A virtual private network or VPN can help you securely connect to your device. Look for a VPN on www.vpnbrains.com so that your device can connect to an internet server that can be monitored by no one. VPN’s help you to keep all your data safe. It is a common and popular way to keep your connection in your residential or commercial property safe. The VPN helps to route your information through a server. As more people have started working from home, there are more victims of online crimes. Using a VPN protects all the information on your computer and keeps your data safe.
Careful Where You Browse
Regardless of whether you are planning to shop online and take a look at your account balance, you should always be careful where you browse, especially if you are using your work laptop that has sensitive information on it. Whenever you log onto any website, you have to make sure that the address on top of the web browser starts with https:// and not with http://. The s here stands for secure and that means that the site is encrypting your data and is safe. Sometimes you can also see a small padlock symbol next to the web address bar. Just the same, you should be careful who you or your children talk to online. Cyberbullying and cyberthreats are real-time problems that are taking place every day.
You should be selective about who you communicate with online and if you notice the other person crossing a line, you should report them and block them immediately. Teenagers can be bullied by their peers and that usually puts them in a rough spot so you should personally be involved in making sure that your children are on safe websites only. If you do feel that your children are being targets of cyberbullying then you should report the same to the nearest police station.
Keep Bluetooth Off
Bluetooth communication can be compromised and even manipulated. A hacker can exploit your Bluetooth connection and will be able to listen to all your communication. This doesn’t mean that you should not use Bluetooth. Rather when you are not actively using it, try to keep it switched off.
Use Software For Protection
There are many free and cheap antivirus software available online. Make it a point to never surf the web without the proper protection software in place. By investing a little bit from your side, you can avoid a great deal of trouble and stress in the future. If you are already using this software then make it a point to update both the antivirus and anti-malware software on a continuous basis.
Always Be Alert
Though the above 7 points can ensure that you are mostly safe, there is always a risk or danger lurking around when it comes to the internet. Be alert and always follow the basics like creating complex passwords. Something as small as that can ward off hackers. A password that includes an upper and lower case, number, and symbols is way harder to hack as compared to your birth date or the city that you live in.
Finally, you can always play it safe by making sure that you always back up all your data on your computer so in case it does get hacked or compromised, you can still have your data safely with you. If something does happen to your files, you will easily be able to get access to all your original files. Report any malicious activity as you may be able to help prevent someone else from being a victim of cybecrcrime.
