How to protect yourself online ?
Any time you connect to the Internet you are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Hackers can steal your credit card numbers, tax records and passwords, or even completely disable your PC. Follow these tips to help avoid problems:
1:Create smart and strong passwords.
Make it difficult for hackers to crack your password. You can create a smart password by incorporating capital letters, numbers, and special characters, and using more than six characters. An example of a strong password is: Go1dM!n3.
2:Use email wisely
Never transmit confidential data over e-mail, such as passwords, credit card information, etc. E-mail is not encrypted and if intercepted by a third-party could be read.
3:Shop safely.
If you plan to order from an online store, be sure that the Web site uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the Web address begins with https. Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears at the bottom right of the checkout screen, or that there is a statement on the checkout screen stating that the pages are secure with a security technology vendor. Check that the security technology does exist by checking the security technology company’s web site.
4:Watch out for phishing scams.
Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and fake web sites, masquerading as legitimate businesses, to lure unsuspecting users into revealing private account or login information. To be safe, if you receive an email from a business that includes a link to a web site, make certain that the web site you visit is legitimate. Instead of clicking through to the site from within the email, open a separate Web browser and visit the business’ web site directly to perform the necessary actions. You can also verify that an email is in fact from a legitimate business by calling the business or agency directly.
5:Protect yourself against malware, spyware, and viruses
Protect your computer viruses by installing an anti-virus program on the computer or if you are running the new version of Windows at least have Windows Defender running on the computer. Also, having a malware protection program such as Malwarebytes on the computer is also a good method of protecting your computer against malware and spyware.
6:Use different passwords for every account.
Of course it's easier just to remember one password, If the password and email address that you use for one account gets in the hands of the wrong person, they can start trying it on other sites and services. Make sure you use different passwords on different sites.
7:Protect your computer and browser.
This one used to be the most obvious and probably still is. Make sure if you are using a Windows PC you are using an up-to-date anti-virus or spyware program. Whether you are a Mac or a PC user, make sure your operating system is up-to-date with the latest security patches. Google also recommends using Chrome (naturally, it is its own browser) and making sure you have the latest version.
8:Think before clicking links.
Clicking links is second nature on the Internet, but Siciliano says we should be careful before we click those lines of text. "Anybody can create a template that looks like a bank and make it easy to click links and then access my computer or online account," he says. Be vigilant about what links you click in an email, especially when they come from companies. Also, don't click on odd direct messages or Facebook messages with links. If you're friends are sending exciting photos they aren't going to do it via a link.
Any time you connect to the Internet you are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Hackers can steal your credit card numbers, tax records and passwords, or even completely disable your PC. Follow these tips to help avoid problems:
1:Create smart and strong passwords.
Make it difficult for hackers to crack your password. You can create a smart password by incorporating capital letters, numbers, and special characters, and using more than six characters. An example of a strong password is: Go1dM!n3.
2:Use email wisely
Never transmit confidential data over e-mail, such as passwords, credit card information, etc. E-mail is not encrypted and if intercepted by a third-party could be read.
3:Shop safely.
If you plan to order from an online store, be sure that the Web site uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the Web address begins with https. Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears at the bottom right of the checkout screen, or that there is a statement on the checkout screen stating that the pages are secure with a security technology vendor. Check that the security technology does exist by checking the security technology company’s web site.
4:Watch out for phishing scams.
Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and fake web sites, masquerading as legitimate businesses, to lure unsuspecting users into revealing private account or login information. To be safe, if you receive an email from a business that includes a link to a web site, make certain that the web site you visit is legitimate. Instead of clicking through to the site from within the email, open a separate Web browser and visit the business’ web site directly to perform the necessary actions. You can also verify that an email is in fact from a legitimate business by calling the business or agency directly.
5:Protect yourself against malware, spyware, and viruses
Protect your computer viruses by installing an anti-virus program on the computer or if you are running the new version of Windows at least have Windows Defender running on the computer. Also, having a malware protection program such as Malwarebytes on the computer is also a good method of protecting your computer against malware and spyware.
6:Use different passwords for every account.
Of course it's easier just to remember one password, If the password and email address that you use for one account gets in the hands of the wrong person, they can start trying it on other sites and services. Make sure you use different passwords on different sites.
7:Protect your computer and browser.
This one used to be the most obvious and probably still is. Make sure if you are using a Windows PC you are using an up-to-date anti-virus or spyware program. Whether you are a Mac or a PC user, make sure your operating system is up-to-date with the latest security patches. Google also recommends using Chrome (naturally, it is its own browser) and making sure you have the latest version.
8:Think before clicking links.
Clicking links is second nature on the Internet, but Siciliano says we should be careful before we click those lines of text. "Anybody can create a template that looks like a bank and make it easy to click links and then access my computer or online account," he says. Be vigilant about what links you click in an email, especially when they come from companies. Also, don't click on odd direct messages or Facebook messages with links. If you're friends are sending exciting photos they aren't going to do it via a link.
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