Protecting your online activity is super-important. We all live in a digital world, using our tech devices daily, more than we could ever need to. Whether we use our laptop, smartphone, or computer, we’re giving vital information to online scammers. Wouldn’t it help if we knew how to protect our computers from malware and hackers and all the internet hazards?
The good news is that we can do this, and it’s not even that difficult. All we need to do at first is to learn about the importance of online security and use some safe and useful tips that will significantly improve our safety on the internet. Get ready; it will be an important article to read on, helping you understand why it is important to give much importance to your online activity.
Cybersecurity habits
As we all know, since we were children, there are good and bad habits in life. Well, creating good habits can be an essential thing to do to fight cybersecurity threats. Habits are types of behaviors – so, creating a robust and good practice can become a positive weapon against hackers. Cybercriminals are humans that use bad habits to commit cybercrimes. Scams cannot go away easily, so you’ll need to use good security habits to avoid fall victim to hackers.
Use strong passwords
Why is it important to have a great password? Passwords are one of the best ways to defend yourself against hackers. To protect yourself from unauthorized access to your devices and accounts, you’ll need to create long passwords that aren’t easy to crack. Do not use passwords like “12345678”, “Maria27,” or “Ilovemykids,” as cybercriminals may be able to break into your accounts, such as social media, email, bank account, and other private documents, which will have a shocking effect on your life.
One of the top recommendations from security experts is to get a strong password for all your accounts. You can use a mix of characters, including letters, symbols, and numbers. Some devices will even require a longer, more specific password with lots of numbers and names. However, hackers have become crafty, meaning that they can access your files and accounts without guessing your passwords.
When creating a password, consider the following important tips:
- DO NOT USE the same password for all your accounts.
- Use at least 8 characters, including lowercase and uppercase letters, special symbols, and numbers.
- DO NOT USE personal info when creating a password, such as your age, name, date of birth, home address, favorite colors, songs, etc.
- When creating your password, ensure that no one is around you.
- DO NOT USE repeated word combinations.
- Log out from all your accounts when finishing work or going out.
- DO NOT SHARE your passwords to anyone!
- Change your passwords regularly.
- AVOID connecting to unsecured WIFI networks. Hackers can easily break into your accounts and steal your data.
- DO NOT KEEP notes with your passwords; you may risk someone finding them.
- DO NOT SAVE your passwords whenever browsers ask you to.
These are important tips to remember whenever we create passwords. It’s our responsibility to ensure our safety online and avoid malware on the internet.
Don’t trust anyone blindly
Online communication has become an essential part of our lives, yet many people still consider the internet a suspicious place. Indeed, many people online use false identities, especially on social media. There are many harmful side effects on the online world – too many people blindly trust others on the internet and fall victims to many scams. The side effects consist of trust issues, a stolen identity, lower self-esteem, or loss of money. Communicating online with other people is a truly challenging task.
Should we be cautious of “strangers” online as we are in real life? The process of online dating, for example, has made it a lot easier for people to find their love, but it also caused many negative aspects, including a false image. Pretending to be someone else on online platforms can cause emotional harm to the people behind the screens. It usually happens to most teenagers, who are the most exposed to psychological harm. Most of them are humiliated; they self-isolate themselves and even become depressed. Internet safety for kids, especially, is vital. As a parent, you must establish ground rules. You shouldn’t negotiate online safety rules with your young teens. Some of the rules must include:
- Not sharing personal information on the internet
- Not following people you don’t know
- Avoid suspicious group chats
- Do not share personal photos online
These are fundamental yet straightforward rules to follow for anyone using the internet. Even though it’s easy for someone to get fooled on the internet, taking precautions can make a difference. It’s always recommended not to trust anyone online; you can never know who they are in reality.
