Top 5 Internet Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

     Top 5 Internet Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

Cyber-criminals target everyone with access to the internet, and already almost two thirds of internet users have been victims of some sort of cyber-crime. Nevertheless, most cyber-criminals are opportunities, they only attack easy and vulnerable targets. Therefore, the harder your device (computer, phone or tablet) is to crack, the less likely it is to be attacked by cyber-criminal. While it is impossible to make yourself impervious to all cyber-attacks, there are some very basic strategies that can be employed to reduce the chance of becoming a target or victim;

1. Never use your email password for other accounts.

Many internet users easily expose their email passwords to a third-party software or chat sites. Sometimes, software providers require that you create a user account in order for you to access their software. Granted, these software providers may need to send you registration credential via your email in order for you to access the software or their chat sites. However, never use your email password when asked to create an account with your email. They simply require from you to give them your email address and a password you would like to use to access the account you are creating on their websites. Giving them your email password is like granting them a whole access to your phone’s gmail account, and other important files and messages in your email.

2. Be Careful What You Download

A top goal of cyber-criminals is to trick you into downloading malware programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that like “click and get paid” or the weather. It is advisable not to download apps, email attachments or links that look suspicious or come from a site you don't trust.

3. Choose Strong Passwords

Passwords are one of the biggest weak spots in the whole Internet security structure, but there's currently no way around them. And the problem with passwords is that people tend to choose easy ones to remember (such as "password" and "123456"), which are also easy for cyber thieves to guess. Select strong passwords that are harder for cyber-criminals to demystify. Password manager software can help you to manage multiple passwords so that you don't forget them. It is recommended that a strong password is one that is unique and complex at least 15 characters long, mixing letters, numbers and special characters.

4.  Make Online Purchases from Secure Sites

Any time you make a purchase online, you need to provide credit card or bank account information, just what cybercriminals are most eager to get their hands on. Only supply this information to sites that provide secure, encrypted connections. As Boston University notes, you can identify secure sites by looking for an address that starts with https: (the S stands for secure) rather than simply http: They may also be marked by a padlock icon next to the address bar.

5. Connect your device to only trusted Wi-Fi or Hotspot

Public Wi-fi may be handy if you quickly want to check the weather or news, but it’s not safe or secure for you to use for online banking, shopping or signing into accounts. With the right software, someone within range of you can see everything you’re doing online, such as what sites you visit, what you use to log in with and also what texts you send. Many people freely use public Wi-Fi when available, without a second thought of who else can be accessing their data nearby, or checking that the hotspot network is safe. Some hotspots exist entirely to steal your personal data.