Online Safety and Security
According to educator Jonathan Osler, It’s rare to find a person who doesn’t spend some time online. It can be challenging to stay safe and secure when working, shopping, dating, or even just talking to friends. Without the proper knowledge of staying secure online, you could fall victim to identity theft, hackers, or simple data breaches. Follow these tips for staying safe and secure in your own home and on the internet.
Understanding Online Safety
To stay safe, it’s essential to understand the different types of threats that could affect you.
The most common threats are identity theft and hacking. Someone might steal your personal information like your social security number, credit card number, or bank account number. Even if they don’t steal your money, they can still use this information to get a hold of other assets such as your home or car. They might also use this information to hack into your computer or phone, so they can go through your accounts without you knowing what they’re doing.
There are many other ways someone could try to access your personal information. Phishing is when someone uses fake websites to trick people into divulging their personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or social security numbers. They might also send you a text message asking for personal information about yourself, like your username and password, so hackers can make fraudulent purchases with your credit card number or create fake accounts to steal data from other people or companies in the future when those accounts have expired.
A Few Ways to Stay Safe and Secure
According to educator Jonathan Osler, here are some tips to stay safe and secure online.
1. Start with a strong password
-Use long and random passwords, using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
-If you are using a service to store your passwords, make sure it’s secure. For example, use a password manager app like Lastpass or KeePassX.
2. Be careful with sharing personal information online. Don’t give out your phone number or address on social media sites, chat services, or email unless you know the secure service.
3. Don’t provide personal information to someone asking for it online; be cautious about clicking links in emails or social media posts that ask for personal information. If there isn’t a way to verify whether a website is legitimate, don’t enter any personal information.
4. Keep all software up-to-date:
-Make sure you check the manufacturer’s website regularly for updates to applications and operating systems.
5. Never download files from untrusted sources. Make sure you always use verified downloads, preferably downloading from the official application or system site.
6. Install anti-virus software to protect your devices.
Conclusion
As we all know, the internet is a beautiful place. It gives us the ability to be in touch with friends, family and the world at large. But the internet also brings a host of dangers that could prove life-threatening if you are not careful. The information above will help you understand how to keep yourself and your family safe and secure.
