Internet Safety: 10 Tips For Staying Secure Online

Most people know that they should make their password something more complex than “1234″ or their phone number.

But not everyone knows that it’s vital to use a variety of different passwords.

Google’s spam and abuse chief, Mark Risher, toldTime, “It’s much more important that you have unique passwords across all of the different sites that matter.”

It may be difficult to keep track of them all, but this extra precaution will help to keep your accounts secure in the long run.

A phishing scam is one in which a fake website pretends to be a site that is familiar to you in order to trick you into providing your information.

Google’s Mark Risher also tellsTime, “They just copy the exact page you’re used to seeing and put it in a social context that’s misleading.”

Always double check theexact name of the website before entering any information, as there will be slight errors if it is a phishing scam.

Also, when you receive an email asking you to click a link or provide information,check the sender’s email address to make sure it is actually coming from who they say they are.

It can be annoying to update your security software all of the time, and pop-ups asking you to update may make you want to click “No.”

However, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance, “Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware, and other online threats.”

If you are unsure of how to update your software, ask a computer savvy friend to show you or visit your software website’s FAQ section.

There are plenty of people out there who will try to take advantage of you by asking you to send money or information.

As a great rule of thumb, if you do not know the person or if you are at all in doubt, delete the email entirely.

According to theNational Cyber Security Alliance, “Links in email, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often how cybercriminals try to steal your personal information.

“Even if you know the source, if something looks suspicious, delete it.”

You may be nervous to shop online or unsure of which websites are safe for you to use.

One way to know if a website is taking precautions to keep your information safe is if their web address starts with “https” (instead of just “http”) and if they have a little lock symbol right before it.

The National Cyber Security Alliancewrites, “When shopping, check to be sure the site is security enabled.

“Look for web addresses with https:// indicating extra measures to help secure your information.”

You might think that they work the same way, but it is actually infinitely better to use a credit card than a debit card for online shopping.

According to Nerdwallet.com, in the event of fraud, “With a credit card, the card issuer must fight to getits money back; with a debit card, you must fight to getyour money back.

“From a legal perspective, credit cards generally provide more protection against fraudulent activity.”

With debit cards, you may have some liability for the stolen money depending on how much and when it is reported, while this is not the case with credit.

It might sound like a complicated term, but two-factor authentication is really quite easy to understand.

It simply means that your accounts requireanothercode on top of your normal password.

The way it works, your account will send a text message to your phone with a special security code that you will then enter into your computer.

According toTime, “With two-factor authentication, even if a hacker has your username and password, he or she won’t be able to access your account unless they also have your smartphone not a likely scenario.”

If your email address or Facebook account gets hacked, it isn’t the end of the world, so long as you realize it as soon as possible.

The National Cyber Security Alliancesuggests two simple ways to know if you’ve been hacked: “There are posts you never made on your social network page; these posts often encourage your friends to click on a link or download an app.

“A friend, family member, or colleague reports getting email from you that you never sent.”

In the event of a hack, notify all of your contacts not to open messages or links from you, update your security software, and change all of your passwords.

The best defense against online fraud is to keep a close watch on all of your financials, social media posts, and internet correspondence.

McAfee’s cybersecurity blog writes, “Routinely check your various financial statements for questionable activity.”

If you are constantly monitoring your accounts, you can catch fraud the second it occurs, saving you hassle and money in the long run.

Before you click “purchase,” it is important to know if others have had a problem with this particular merchant or website.

Simply read reviews before you decide if a website is safe enough to receive your business.

According to theNational Cyber Security Alliance, “When using a new website for purchases, read reviews and see if other consumers have had a positive or negative experience with the site.”

If you notice a lot of negative reviews, you may just need to cancel your purchase and bring your business somewhere else.

Following these online safety tips canfinally allow you to feel confident and secure with your internet experience!

Do you know of any other online safety tips? Let us know in the comments.

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