The internet has safety rules to follow if you do not want to learn about internet security the hard way. When you have careless internet habits, it exposes you to identity theft, scams, and physical harm at the hands of people you meet online. Today, you can use the internet to research, stream movies on The Pirate Bay, check social media, among other things. Therefore, with more people using the internet, the risks are growing and changing fast. You need to adhere to the safety rules as the hackers are on the lookout to access your personal information. Below are seven internet safety rules to follow as you use the internet.
1. Make sure your internet connection is secure
Do you use public Wi-Fi? It may be convenient to do various things you need for work, but you have no control over the security. Because of this, it is best to avoid it to keep your data and personal information safe. Cybersecurity experts worry about using the internet in public places as it connects you to the outside world. But, you can use it and ensure your device is secure. Try this until you get a secure Wi-Fi network.
2. Use strong passwords
Passwords are a big weak spot in the internet security structure. The problem with them is people use passwords that are easy to remember. Such passwords include 12345 or abcd123. But, as much as they are easy for you to remember, they are easy for hackers to guess. Therefore, choose strong passwords that cybercriminals cannot hack. Also, you can use the password manager to help you remember multiple passwords. A strong password is complex and unique. It has up to 15 characters, a mix of letters, special characters, and numbers.
3. Be careful what you post
There is no delete key on the internet. Because of this, you should think twice before posting anything. Therefore, any image or comment you post online can stay online forever. And removing the original will not remove copies that others made from your post or comment, for instance, on Twitter. So, the embarrassing selfie you took or the remarks you made can always be there for people to see. The best way to avoid this is not posting anything you may not want your prospective employer or your mum to see.
4. Practice safe browsing
It is unsafe to walk in a neighborhood where you can be harmed. In the same way, avoid visiting unsafe sites online. Hacker know people using the internet are easy to tempt with dubious content and can let their guard down as they search for it. The internet has many pitfalls, and clicking on anything carelessly could infect your device with malware or expose your data. Avoid clicking on these sites to prevent giving cybercriminals a chance.
5. Purchase from secure sites
Today, almost everything you want is on the internet. To purchase, you need to provide a bank account or credit card information, and this is what hackers want to access. Therefore, ensure the sites you do your shopping is secure and have encrypted connections. One way to identify a secure site is by looking for an address starting with https rather than only http. The S stands for secure. Also, others have a padlock icon mark nest to the address bar.
6. Check what you download
