Many people are so accustomed to communicating, working and studying via the Internet that they can’t imagine daily life without it. However, while online, it is important to remember basic safety rules. Otherwise, you risk falling into the hands of scammers and losing important data. Here are some tips to help you use the Internet safely.
A virus is a malicious program that infiltrates your device in various ways. Not only can it interfere with its operation, such as preventing access to parts of the permanent memory, but it can also steal sensitive information: logins, passwords, bank details. To protect themselves from viruses, users should use proven antivirus programs. It is important not only to use them, but also to periodically update databases to protect against new threats.
A login in the form of your first and last name and a password like 1234 is not a good idea. If someone decides to steal your sensitive information, they will break such “protection” in no time. A good username and password is a complex combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. It’s better to use special programs that generate them, remember them and store them securely. It’s also a good idea to use different username and password combinations for different sites.
Have you used someone else’s computer? After that, closing the site you visited is not enough. Don’t forget to log out of all accounts, social networks and instant messaging on the device first. Otherwise, the person who sits at that computer after you will be able to log in to your account and do whatever they want with it.
Always pay attention to what it says in the address bar. If you see that the address of the site starts with HTTPS – everything is fine, it is a secure connection and you can enter confidential information here. If the address starts with HTTP, it means that the connection is not secure. There should also be a padlock icon to the left of HTTPS. To be more confident about the security of your connection, you can click it and view information about the site in question.
Public connections are available, for example, in cafes, shopping malls and airports. Don’t use them if you intend to enter logins, passwords or make payments for services and goods over the Internet. If you can, don’t use them at all and limit yourself to the Internet on your phone.
Many computers and mobile devices have a child-safe mode option for using the Web. You can also set restrictions with your home router – this feature is usually called “Parental Control.” Another option is to use special browser extensions for children. Any of the above will minimize the risk of your child ending up on an unsafe site.
It is better not to share your phone number, email and other contact information publicly. Also, don’t send passwords, logins, passport data, PIN codes and other similar information in instant messaging or by email. Hide your data and content on social media, and don’t add photos that show your data, important documents, or even the inside of your apartment. Scammers and thieves can take advantage of any such information.
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