How safely do people use technology in their daily lives? A lot of threats are trying to look for new ways of compromising devices users have today. Moreover, they steal personal information, to be sold to the highest bidder, for malicious use, and of course, it is an act of robbery and theft.
A successful cyberattack means serious damage to people’s devices. No one should let the internet be a dangerous place for themselves and for others too. It is time that people learn to browse the internet safely and avoid being a victim to cyber crimes.
For which reasons is internet safety important?
There is no doubt that the internet makes people’s lives easier. However, it is also threatening them with spam, theft of identity, invasion of privacy and worst of all, cyber espionage. This is the reason Internet safety (aka online safety and e-safety) is now quite important these days.
Internet safety means that users are knowledgeable about the nature the potential threats on the internet are of, and the threats they can face while they are browsing the internet. Sadly, the good old days of browsing without worries are gone.
It is now time for everyone to focus on the positive aspect of digital life and learn some safe web browsing tips along with security tips for such.
Key tips on browsing the internet safely
Experts from a DDoS Protection Service Company based in New York City have decided to share with us key practices and tips that can help users browse the internet without fear and worry:
Updating the web browser
Using an outdated version of a web browser is a recipe for disaster and is equivalent to missing out on newer features that can help with seamless browsing. Updating the web browser means that users are using the latest security measures along with updated browsers to browse safely and improve at identifying threats and blocking unwanted popups.
Ignoring updates can result in disaster. Browsers can be infect with viruses which hence extract information from the search history and saved passwords repository. Users should be wise and keep checking for updates for their browsers to browse safely.
Avoiding websites having HTTP because HTTPS websites are more secure
HTTP is a protocol for computers and it is not encrypt. HTTPS is another protocol which is encrypt using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). If browsers use HTTPS for passing information, the information won’t read easily by nosy sniffers and hackers.
Users should make sure that the websites they visit are secure. They must pay attention to the upper left side of the web address bar for a lock sign. It indicates that the connection is secure. The presence of an exclamation mark explains that the connection is not secure. Whereas an info sign means the website is not using a private connection.
Being wary of the kind of files and apps being downloaded
No doubt people love downloading games, applications, images and music. As they are fun, and sometimes they give them excitement, they help kill the time and remove boredom. However, it should kept in mind that none of these files should be download carelessly. Why? Because such actions can be the source of infection of viruses, malware, ransomware or both.
To avert a nasty surprise, the applications should be download from reputable sources. Files should also be scan for viruses before they are click on. If users are worrie that a file might be unsafe for download, they can easily cancel the process in the download toolbar.
Preventing the browser from asking to save passwords
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it is an effective safe browsing technique that might pinch a little bit. Everyone knows that web browsers came in with built-in password management software prompting them to save passwords for the websites they visit.
This feature allows them to not remember each and every password. However, this comes in with a loss of security. As it is possible for login credentials to be stolen within a click of a mouse, particularly when the browser is not updated. It would be wise for users to disable this feature.
