The internet brings a lot of opportunities, but it can also be a dangerous place. Knowing how to protect yourself while browsing the internet is essential these days. Below, you will find five tips on how to stay safe on the internet.
1. Create strong passwords
Did you know that the most commonly used passwords are 123456 and “password”? Passwords are used for everything we do online, so it is important to protect it. One of the most effective ways of protecting your online accounts is using a strong password. Create a long password with different letters, numbers and symbols, and don’t tie it to any personal information. Furthermore, you should create a unique password for every site you use, meaning that you don’t use the same password for your email and your online bank. You can even use an online password generator that automatically generates a random password.
2. Use a VPN
The next step is making sure that your internet connection is secure. You probably have a secure and password router at home, but public wifi can be vulnerable. This means that it can be possible for someone to access your information or device without you even knowing about it. One way to stay safe is to use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN hides your IP address by routing the traffic through remote servers. It is recommended to not use free VPN services since many of them are unsecured. Instead, you might want to use ExpressVPN or a similar alternative.
3. Browse secure websites
Whenever you are on a website that requests personal or financial information, make sure that the website is secured. The website’s URL should start with “https” instead of just “http”, and there should be a small padlock icon next to the website address. This means that the website is secured with SSL. Another tip is to use Google Safe Browsing, a free service that allows you to enter a URL to see if it is safe to visit or not. By browsing secure websites, you can stay safe when shopping or play safely in an online casino.
4. Limit what you share online
The internet is a very big place, and you never know who’s watching or reading what you post online. If you have a public Facebook account, for example, anyone can access your full name, pictures, date of birth and more with the click of a button. This is information we wouldn’t share with a stranger on the street, and there is no reason to share your personal information with strangers on the internet either.
5. Be cautious
The best tip we can give you is to stay on guard and when browsing the internet. There are thousands of viruses, phishing scams and other threats out there, and you can avoid most of these simply by using common sense. Don’t click on any links in dodgy emails, update your software and don’t download software that you don’t recognise. By keeping your guard up, you can save yourself from many problems in the future.
