Security Tips to Protect Yourself When Browsing Online 2021
Security Tips To Safeguard Yourself When Browsing Online
The web could be a little bit of a West. While hosting companies and domain providers can lay down regulations, that does not mean you'll be able to always browse safely.
There are unscrupulous people out there who are looking to require advantage of you, infect your system with a pestilence, steal your data, hack your accounts, and so on.
It's for that reason that you just must be sensible when you're browsing online. you would like to browse safe websites, download only from trusted sources, and use different passwords for each service.
Passwords
1. Avoid obvious passwords that are easy to guess, like "123456."
2. Don't use passwords that may be guessed on your personal information, like date of birth.
3. Use a series of minimum four unrelated words, since it's harder to crack.
4. Alternatively, mix special characters, upper and lowercase, and be a minimum of 10 characters.
5. Ideally, use a password manager to get secure passwords and remember your logins.
6. Use two-factor authentication to form it more tougher for someone to access your account.
7. Never share your password with anyone, irrespective of who claims to be requesting it.
8. Don't write your passwords down; or a minimum of not anywhere obviously accessible.
9. Change your passwords regularly to shield against data leaks.
10. Never use the identical password twice; they ought to always be unique and unrelated.
Web browsing
11. If you do not recognize a link, don't click on it.
12. Check the address bar to confirm you're on the website that you think you're.
13. Is the website using a secure HTTPS connection? If not, there's greater risk of data interception.
14. Check the lock icon within the address bar; is that the website registered to who it should be?
15. Avoid adverts disguised as fake download links; if you're uncertain, don't click.
16. The dark web is stuffed with scams and illegal activity, so avoid it.
17. Only download from trusted providers, and even then scan the files with anti-virus software.
Social media
18. Everything you set online is permanent, so only share what you're comfortable with.
19. Thoroughly review all of your social media privacy settings so you recognise what's public.
20. Never let anyone else use your social media account, nor log in on a public computer.
21. Social media is filled with hoaxes and scams. Remain vigilant. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
22. Don't overshare. You don't know who's watching your information or what they're doing with it.
23. Only share information of these who have consented. Are you sure you ought to share pictures of your children?
Antivirus
24. Every system is at risk of viruses, but some over others.
25. You do not need to pay for antivirus software. Windows Security is a great built-in option.
26. Avoid dodgy downloads and opening unknown email attachments, since viruses are often spread this way.
27. Educate yourself on the difference between viruses, malware, and keyloggers.
28. The ultimate, nuclear way to clean a virus from your system is to completely wipe everything.
Data
29. Encrypt private data and do not share the encryption key with anyone else.
30. Don't store sensitive data within the cloud; keep it entirely disconnected from the online.
31. External drives can easily be physically stolen, so take care about what you store on them.
32. If you're through with a drive, investigate a way to securely wipe one; simply deleting the information isn't enough.
33. If you get a used computer, factory reset it and wipe it completely from top to bottom.
34. Back up your data: a minimum three copies, on two different types of media, with one off-site
35. The email sender are often spoofed, so email won't be from who it claims to be.
36. Don't recognize the sender? Not expecting that email? Don't open it and delete it.
37. If an email asks you to click a link or open an attachment that seems suspicious, trust your instincts and delete it.
38. If you're being asked to share sensitive information, don't do it. Your bank, ISP, Amazon, and so on will never ask via email.
39. If someone is trying to impose a way of urgency for you to do something, it's probably a scam.
40. That long-lost relative who has died and desire to go away you a bundle of money? It's fake. Delete the e-mail.
41. Your spam filter offers some protection, but it is not foolproof, so don't assume everything in your inbox is safe.
Software
42. Keep all the software on your computer up-to-date, to patch vulnerabilities and enjoy the latest features.
43. Install operating system updates as they come through, especially critical security ones.
44. If you no longer need software, uninstall it completely.
45. Don't install random browser extensions, and only use those from trusted publishers.
Smartphones
46. When you install apps, check what permissions they ask for; be wary of camera, microphone, and location access.
47. Only install apps from the authorized app stores, though even then you have to be cautious.
48. Don't send and receive sensitive data over public Wi-Fi connections.
49. Protect your phone with a PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or some type of security lock.
50. Follow the same precautions you do on your computer, like avoiding dodgy sites and downloads.
51. Keep your phone on you whenever possible; this also protects against SIM card swapping.
