Keeping your personal information safe while browsing the internet can be difficult to do. Hackers, catfishers, and malicious software are just some of the risks you’ll face while browsing the internet. These threats are looking to steal your personal information and can be lurking just about anywhere online. Everything from login information to credit card and social security numbers are at risk if you do not take the necessary precautions. Here’s what you can do to help keep your private information safe:
Avoid Catfish Scams
Use a reverse name lookup tool to help identify the person you’ve been talking to online
Another online threat that’s been rising in popularity is the catfish scam. These scammers pretend to be someone they’re not in order to trick you into sending them money, gifts, or personal information. In order to protect yourself from catfishers, use reverse name lookup tools to verify a person’s identity. This is even more important if you currently use, or plan on using, online dating services. Make sure you always perform a reverse name lookup before you agree to meet in person!
Password Management
The first thing you should always do when setting up a new account is create a strong and unique password. A strong password contains many special characters and numbers, which makes it more difficult for hackers to guess. In addition to creating strong passwords, you should never use the same password twice. That way if your login information is stolen, such as in a corporate database breach, you can be sure that the rest of your accounts are still safe. This is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your sensitive data.
Browse Secure Websites
To find out if the website you’re on is secure, look for the padlock icon in the address bar
The best way to know if a website is secure is to look for a small padlock icon in the leftmost corner of the address bar, along with an “https” at the beginning of the URL. This means that all the information shared between your computer and the website is encrypted. Most legitimate websites are security encrypted, but if you happen to find yourself on a website that is not secure, you should leave it immediately and avoid it in the future.
Firewalls And Virus Protection
Always keep your security software up to date to protect yourself from cyber threats
The vast majority of computers come standard with some form of firewall and virus protection software. These software programs are excellent sources of protection for your personal data. However, in order for these programs to work, they must be up to date. The best way to ensure that these programs stay up to date is to enable the auto update feature, which comes standard on just about every firewall and virus scanner. That way, whenever a new virus is discovered, you won’t have to worry about it.
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1 Comment
You would think that in 2017 people would know all these, but I see so many still fall for the same scams. Thank you for writing this informational post. I personally use Dashlane to manage my passwords. Great article once again!