We all have both an inherent and a taught understanding of how to avoid being a victim of crime. We know how to protect ourselves and our possessions from criminals by locking doors and avoiding dark alleys at night, and we should have the same level of knowledge and awareness of the dangers that lurk online when we use the internet. Just like with any aspect of life, there are certain things you should be aware of and know how to keep yourself safe from them. It’s not at all difficult to stay safe if you’re sensible and use some common sense. With this in mind, here are a few tips on staying safe online.
Follow Good Practice for Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is a well-documented security threat to internet users, yet many of us make use of this free Wi-Fi offer without a second thought. When you’re not using your home Warrenton Internet connection, there is a way that you can use public Wi-Fi and stay safe – subscribe to a VPN. Many VPN providers make bold claims of what a VPN connection can do for you and many of them are a bit embellished, but one that is true is that it can encrypt your internet traffic between you and the VPN server, removing any threat of a middleman snooping in, particularly when you’re using public Wi-Fi.
User Good Password Hygiene
The idea that just a password is enough to protect your online accounts is one many internet companies are changing and adding secondary security measures like one-time pins and authenticator support is making our online world more secure. This doesn’t mean you should dismiss the importance of your passwords, and that means practicing good password hygiene.
Some of the more simple ways you can create better passwords are quick and easy to do, like not sharing the same password on multiple websites and using longer passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase and symbols. Consider using a password manager too, as they can generate and store random passwords for you without much hassle at all.
Don’t Talk to Strangers
It’s a lesson we’re taught and reminded of constantly as kids, and it’s no different when it comes to the internet. Some of the cleverest and most internet-savvy people have fallen victim to a sweet-talking stranger online – and sometimes you might not even realize you’re talking to a stranger. Familiarize yourself with the common online scams and be critical of those who you meet and talk to on social media. When it comes to platforms like Facebook where profile cloning is common, make sure you’re talking to who you think you’re talking to. Just by being aware, you can avoid many of the common social engineering scams that internet users fall victim to.
Use these simple tips and you should have no trouble staying safe while you’re using the internet at home or on your mobile devices while traveling. And remember, just like in the physical world, common sense is your best defense.
