How risky is the internet today
The Internet has become so entangled in our daily lives that it seems that no one can live without it. This is perfectly understandable. The Internet grants a number of advantages to its participants in the personal, business and social aspects of their lives. However, despite its overwhelming advantages, the Internet presents many risks to user safety. that for many it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory level of trust online. Fraud continues to proliferate, scams are scattered everywhere online, and problems related to identity theft seem to be always present. If you use the Internet, be careful that it can be an online risk portal that can make your life miserable.
Since total trust online is practically impossible, keep in mind that your internet internships are an important aspect of your online life. Fortunately, there are a variety of practices that can give you some protection online and reduce the likelihood that you will be a victim of an online crime. Here are five helpful tips that, when used together, reduce your personal, business and social risk online.
Protect your computer from malware.
Malware are external threats to your computer such as viruses, worms, and spam. Each in their own way can compromise your personal information, your privacy, and your reputation. Online criminals enter your system in ways that are not obvious and are unlikely to leave visible traces of their misdeeds. All systems have loopholes and cybercriminals exploit them. Installing anti-virus software and spam filters on email will help protect your overall privacy online. Your Internet Service Provider may have some of the tools and techniques for you. Consider calling them to find out how much protection you can expect from their service. Complement these services with your own products. There are many reliable providers, such as Symantec, McAfee, and Kaspersky, that can give you peace of mind for a reasonable annual subscription fee. These products are continually reviewed and updates are provided on an ongoing basis as new threats emerge.
Equally important is protecting your wireless network, should you use one of these. Encryption protection must be enabled. Encryption ensures that bad guys can’t see your transactions online.
Pay attention to your security settings
Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are the most visited sites on the Internet today. Hackers and cybercriminals take advantage of the inherent vulnerabilities of these sites for their nefarious schemes. That is why you need to be careful about the security settings of your accounts. Please take the time to understand the privacy policies of these sites. If you are not willing to read the fine print, there are reliable resources online that can interpret the policies for you. It is your responsibility to know how these sites work and what they do with your information. A good personal policy is to initially limit your capabilities through user settings until you become familiar with the interworking of these sophisticated social models. And don’t post anything on these social media sites that you wouldn’t want to read on the cover of the New York Times.
As for your browser, you can adjust the sensitivity to match your comfort zone. But at least configure your browser to avoid pop-ups. They can be both a threat and a nuisance. And most browsers will give you the option to allow pop-ups for the sites of your choice.
Be diligent in online banking
Be aware that even your online banking transactions can be subject to risk online. Cybercriminals can access your account online through phishing or password scams. In their phishing mode, they send you an email that has a link to a fake website that looks like your bank’s website. After your password is surreptitiously stolen, they may recommend a free product to download. Possibly what you end up getting is software on your system that monitors your keystrokes, thus exposing your financial information.
Never reveal login details in email. While account numbers and social security numbers are passed on in phone calls with customer representatives, never provide login details. Also, never bank online on public computers. And, as always, verify that you have a secure connection by entering your account details by looking at the URL or web address in the browser. It should start with “https: //”, with that “s” in the middle. This is very important.
Use email safely.
Don’t assume you can trust your email. Most scams and frauds use email as an entry point to your personal information. Do not click on a link or respond to emails or pop-ups that ask for personal information such as social security numbers, user names, or bank account numbers. The web protocol, followed by legitimate companies, will never ask for these intimate details in an email. When in doubt, go directly to the website by typing the website address in your browser. There, with a secure connection, you can conduct business with confidence.
Be careful with your passwords.
Make things difficult for scammers and cybercriminals by being prudent with your passwords. Passwords are your first line of defense in cyberspace. Therefore, make your passwords “strong”. Don’t use your children’s birthdays or names. Combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols create strong passwords. A personal password building system is a good idea. For example, your password system could be a construction of a keyword, followed by a symbol of your choice and completed with simple code that links to the website you are entering. Check online for recommendations on how to create strong, personal, and variable passwords.
For more information on how to protect your identity, privacy and reputation, please visit our website at http://mycyberiq.com.
