In today’s digital world, staying safe is more important than ever. Although the Internet is full of plenty of conveniences and access to the things that can make our lives easier, there are plenty of ways we can get ourselves into trouble online. From avoiding scams to protecting your sensitive data, here are some of the best tips for staying safe while navigating the web.
Use Strong Passwords
Even though it may seem logical to choose the name of your pet or the month you were born as part of your password, the truth is that if someone is really trying to guess your password it won’t be difficult to do. Always choose a password that has multiple characters, and isn’t easy to guess. Consider using a password generator which will give you a combination of different numbers symbols and letters.
Above all, create different passwords for each website that you visit. If you use the same password for multiple websites because once someone has your password they can access anything.
If you have trouble remembering your passwords, then ask Chrome to memorize them for you. That way the browser will auto-fill passwords each time you visit a website. If you must write your web passwords down, keep them in a safe place where no one can find them.
Don’t Open Suspicious Links
Phishing is one of the most common scams that people fall for every single day. As such, t’s important that you know the most common phishing scams. For example, even though it may look like a credible business or person is sending you an email with a link, forget about opening it. Never click on a link that is sent to you out of the blue for no particular reason and always check the sender.
Take your time and read the email address slowly. Sometimes it may look just slightly different from the way that it should be. For example, they may add an extra character that you may not even notice. If you have your doubts, consider contacting the person or business directly to ask if it was in fact them who sent you the message.
Get an Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is critical for keeping your system safe. Some of them are available for free, while others you must pay for. Whichever service you choose, make sure that you enable automated updates so that your system is up-to-date and capable of addressing the latest hacker tactics.
Don’t Share Private Information
As innocent as it may seem to share information about yourself online, the truth is that there are people out there with bad intentions who could use this information to their advantage. Be wary before sharing any information about yourself. From where you work to whether you’re currently on vacation you’re better off withholding as much information as you can.
