The internet has undoubtedly become one of the most indispensable things in our world today, and we should feel confident when using it. The different types of internet connection have revolutionized the way we do business, stay entertained, communicate with others, and much more.
However, we cannot deny the fact that some people use the internet as an opportunity to engage in illegal activities such as data theft and financial fraud. Therefore, it is crucial to stay cautious and take necessary measures to ensure your safety while browsing the internet.
We at Tonycomm Group LTD take your safety and those of the people you love seriously. That’s why our team has put together a list of internet security tips to help you stay safe when browsing the internet.
1. Update All Your Devices
Outdated firmware can leave your devices vulnerable to cyber threats, making it easier for hackers to target and access your private data. Therefore, it is highly recommended to check for firmware updates for all your devices and install them as soon as they’re available.
By updating your devices to the latest firmware updates, you can stay confident that your devices are secure and protected against potential cyber threats, and keep your personal information safe.
2. Create a Strong Password
Creating a strong Wi-Fi password is crucial to keep your device secure from unauthorized access.
- Avoid using your name (no matter how fancy it may sound) as hackers can easily crack it.
- Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, punctuation marks, and numbers.
- Ensure your password is at least 12 characters long, but the stronger the better – so go for 14 or more characters if you have to.
3. Only Log Into Secure Wi-Fi Networks
We can’t stress enough how important it is to exercise caution when connecting to a Wi-Fi networks that is not your own. Remember, in today’s world, trust is difficult to come by, particularly when it pertains to your personal information. So, it’s important to stay safe.
However, in case you need to access the internet for an urgent and significant matter, it would be best to opt for your office Wi-Fi or the Wi-Fi network of an acquaintance. Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks or any other Wi-Fi network not protected with a password.
In our experience, and to the best of our knowledge, data intruders can use unknown Wi-Fi network to access your device and get sensitive information without your knowledge.
If you must use a public Wi-Fi network, ensure sure your phone or laptop has an active VPN app such as NordVPN.The VPN will switch your original IP address with a different one, making it harder for an attacker to trace you to gain unauthorized access to your device.
4. Cultivate Safe Browsing Habits
Hackers can gain unauthorized access to your system in different ways, one of which is via downloadable files.
It is a common practice for hackers to send links containing malware via email, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, TikTok, and other social media inboxes. And the moment you click on such a link, all your data becomes vulnerable to the hacker’s malicious intent.
Therefore, we strongly advise that you exercise caution and avoid clicking on any suspicious links sent to your inbox, as they can potentially lead to data theft. Only click on links you are familiar with or links from services to which you’ve subscribed.
5. Never Share Your Personal Information
It is important to keep in mind that the majority of people you encounter on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are complete strangers.
It is common to receive message requests from people outside of your friend list on Facebook, and often their messages are irrelevant or misleading, such as requesting for personal information or directing you to a promotion that may be a scam.
Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and never send your personal information online unless you are confident about the legitimacy of the source. Always remember to prioritize your safety and privacy while using social media.
6. Employ Encryption
The safety and confidentiality of private communication and data is very important and encryption is a reliable and effective method to achieve this goal.
It is highly recommended to take advantage of encryption technology to maintain the privacy and security of your personal and sensitive information.
Encrypting all your devices can help to safeguard your information and keep it out of reach from potential threats. By using encrypted apps and encrypting emails, you can keep your communication and data protected from unauthorized access.
7. Monitor Your Accounts
Regularly monitoring your accounts, particularly your financial and online accounts, is an essential step towards safeguarding your data and devices. This way, you can quickly identify any suspicious activity or unauthorized financial transactions and take appropriate action.
In case you notice any such activity, do not hesitate to report it to the relevant authorities for further assistance.
8. Keep Yourself Informed and Updated
Updating yourself on the latest cyber-attacks can be a great way to stay ahead of the game and protect yourself from potential threats.
By learning about the strategies hackers use to approach their victims and obtain their login information, you can confidently safeguard your personal and sensitive data. Remember, knowledge is power, and staying informed is the first step towards a safer online experience.
9. Only Visit Encrypted Websites
In order to keep your device and data safe, I strongly suggest staying away from websites that don’t have encryption. These sites do not have the technology known as SSL certificates. While some sites with SSL certificates can be trusted, others work only to steal your data. So, it’s always better to be careful than to be extremely sorry.
You can distinguish between encrypted and unencrypted websites by looking out for HTTPS at the beginning of the domain for sites with SSL certificates, whereas sites without SSL certificates have HTTP (without an S) before the domain.
