Blogchatter Blog Hop: 6 Tips for Ensuring Internet Safety

 

Is the internet a bane or a boon?

It is one of the most asked questions of the decade, with the advancements in technology and digitalization of all sorts. Life without the Internet seems vague. With benefits come its drawbacks. 

Let me guide you through 6 ways to ensure internet safety at home, school, office, and public places:

• Be Cautious of What You Click

These days one of the most common ways to fall into a trap is to click undesirable links received on mail, messages, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media channel. I wonder what if it had a slogan, would it be, "You are just a click away from falling into a trap."

It is the main route to cyber scams like your bank account getting vacated with one click or you registering for some loan through a malicious application that can track all your private data, including contacts and bank details. It can happen in cases related to credit cards, a loan EMI, etc. 

To prevent this, instead of directly clicking on the link, first check the URL. It gives the entire hint to find fakeness in the link shared. There can be a spelling mistake. 

If you cannot identify it, open the link on your desktop/laptop only if there is no private information that can leak your bank details, contacts, or family pictures.

And the safest one is to not bother about it. If something is critical, you will get reminders from the source, and you can eventually save yourself from any last-minute rush tempted to open the link.

• Passwords can Save you Pennies.

Internet is the place with all the information traveling from here and there. Protecting your identity from getting misused is vital. Today, you can find any famous personality on the internet with the correct name and characteristics, whether podcaster, entrepreneur, author, writer, etc. 

Even today, you can put yourself on the internet by adding your business on maps, your people card, and damn, you don't have to be a renowned personality. 

It is fine till the point your private information stays protected. But being online, you require to be a master of passwords. Your passwords need to be easy for you, not for someone else. Keep updating your passwords time-to-time and prevent sharing with anyone, including your close ones.

• Education is the Key

Learning never ends. With development, there comes a splash of knowledge to grab. If you get confronted with new advancements on the internet, maybe a new software or an application, you should ensure acquiring knowledge about it and then adapt it. Before the adults, the kids get fascinated by the new things they see. Along with self-education, educating the children is necessary to ensure internet safety. 

After trending online-classes systems, electronic devices, including mobiles, laptops, and tablets, have become assets for kids. They are more prone to accessing malicious activities. So, teaching them to make judicious use of the devices is the need of the hour. 

With negligence, it can happen to anyone. Recently, I received WhatsApp messages and links in a text message regarding unpaid EMI, and I understood it was a sort of scam. Instead of replying to them, I directly contacted the loan agent regarding the same and confirmed my payment. Being aware is a blessing. Otherwise, I would have clicked on the links and fallen into their trap.

• Public Wifis Are Baits

Don't you feel happy finding free wifi or an internet connection? But beware, you can leak your privacy. In the desire for a free internet, you welcome hackers into your system.

These days as I mentioned above, life is vague without the Internet.

No matter where you are, your first need is a internet connection. But be cautious while you connect because public wifis and networks can leak sensitive data related to your passwords, banks, etc.

If it is urgent to connect with public wifi, ensure to involve in activities that do not utilize your passwords or login details.

 

• Social Media Comes with its Own Jerks

Sharing, in fact, oversharing, on social media causes havoc in life. You might share your daily lifestyle, places you visit, what you like, and many other things that can give a clue on your weakness to someone who scroll social media to find a victim for their next trap.

If you wish to use social media, be conscious of what and when you share. Avoid sharing your trip plans when you are on a trip or before. If you wish to share, post it once you are back. You will save your family and prevent any mishappening on the trip. Hiding location can work, but not always. Social media is a way to connect with people. But it is also a place full of hackers you never know.

• Be Careful When You Download

Downloading can be dangerous if you are not using a secure website. Most of the time, to find a cracked version of a software or application, you choose to download from unsecured websites. Though it is not a recommended way but you follow it.

If you are fortunate, you land into the correct download, but beware, it can send you in a malicious attack. The next time you download from an unknown resource, double-check the source to find feedback.

There are numerous applications available online specifically for Android devices that have poor feedback from people, so that can help you save yourself from downloading an application that will come with misfortune.

Wrapping Up 

By now, you are aware that the internet has two sides. The advantage here is you own the right to choose which side you want. 

These are a few points. You can read more about it on online blogs to uplift your knowledge on internet safety. Be cautious internet can be a bane or a boon. It all depends on you. 

This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop.