5 Essential Internet Safety Tips

In the modern digital world, it can be very easy to neglect your online security. With technology now involved in so many aspects of our lives, we can often assume that the sites we browse are safe enough to protect our personal details. 

However, data breaches are becoming increasingly common, frequently exposing thousands of usernames, passwords, social security numbers, and even payment details. Hackers are keen to sell our data and browsing habits to criminal organizations, which may use this information for profit or even serious identity theft.

If you have ever entered any personal details online – whether to watch a movie, book an appointment, shop at an online store, game, gamble, or message a friend – your data may be at risk. But with a few simple tips and tools, we can take control of our own cyber security and prevent our private personal data from getting into the wrong hands.

Time For A Security Check Up

We might often check up on our physical health or get our vehicles serviced, so why not take the time to check up on your online defenses too? There are plenty of quick ways to tighten your online security – this could be as simple as making sure all your various passwords are complicated and unrelated to each other, taking a minute to install a reputable and safe web browser, or finding an effective VPN to protect your data when browsing the internet. 

There are many quick and easy tools on the web that can help you build your defenses. It’s highly recommended to use a strong password generator to keep all your different accounts secure, and to consider using an ad-blocker service (there are many free options online) to keep out unwanted intruders. 

By taking a few moments to tighten up your data defenses you can feel far more comfortable and confident online, and safely enjoy all your favorite sites, shows, and online stores!

Protect Yourself with Paypal

In our increasingly cashless society, every day millions of us make transactions online. This can be a scary thought as our payment details may be at frequent risk of data leaks and fraudsters. Whilst we can heighten protection by maintaining secure passwords and using reputable sites, it’s also important to consider how to make any online payments in the safest possible way. 

Using PayPal for online purchases is a great option to maintain payment protection and heighten security from data leaks and fraudsters. 

PayPal is an American financial technology company that went public in 2002 and is now a Fortune 500 corporation, used in more than 200 countries every single day by people who want to make safe financial transactions online. 

PayPal has proved a trusted tool for online buying and selling, making it easier and safer for small businesses to make transactions with customers all over the world. The site is also widely used by users of online casinos, due to its world-leading SSL encryption which lets you withdraw in safety.

PayPal is renowned for its excellent security features, including 24/7 transaction monitoring, two-factor authentication, advanced encryption, quick support with any suspicious activity and PayPal Purchase Protection which can all help keep you safe from scams and unauthorized purchases.

Keep It Fresh

You change your toothbrush regularly, right? So change those passwords too! Why not set a reminder on your phone that will encourage you to sit down every few months and freshen up your password security on all of your online accounts? This means that even if your data has been leaked without your knowledge, your passwords won’t be at risk for very long. With the frequency of data breaches on the modern-day internet, it’s wise to stay a few steps ahead of the hackers and keep your precious data locked away.

The same applies to your devices – if your phone or tablet was stolen, would someone be able to easily guess your password code? If so, it’s vital to change that ASAP. Use the longest code possible for the best chance of security – this will keep your personal and financial details safe from falling into the wrong hands.

Question Everything

The phrase ‘don’t believe everything you read’ is a vital one to remember when entering any personal data online. As the world progresses and our technologies improve, so do the abilities of hackers and fraudsters worldwide. Many scams and dangerous sites can be made to look very trustworthy, as online criminals have become increasingly skilled at hiding in plain sight.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself is question everything you see online, and double-check that any sites you’re using are reputable and secure. Always remember to ask yourself why you are being asked for certain information, and never enter any personal details if you start to feel skeptical or uncomfortable. A good web browser can help with this by flagging up sites that appear suspicious or unsafe. 

Keep Viruses at Bay

It’s always a good idea to install some anti-virus software on your computer. Unfortunately, computer viruses are not a thing of the past – they can cause frustrating and disruptive damage to your device, install sneaky software without your knowledge, and even steal your data. If you haven’t already, definitely consider researching which anti-virus software could work for your device.

We hope these few tips can increase your online security and help you feel safe online!

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *