Any time you engage in online activity you potentially open yourself up to cyber attacks. There is a wide range of techniques hackers can use to steal personal information like passwords, tax records, bank account numbers, or even stop the PC from working. Here are five tips to stay safe online:
Strong password
Be smart and create a strong password that is certain to be difficult for the would-be hacker to guess. A strong password uses a combination of special characters, numbers, and upper and lower-case letters. Plus, the difficult to guess password should be at least six characters long. Also, make sure to use a different password for each online account.
Use email sensibly
Stay safe when using email by being careful about the type of information sent to work colleagues, friends, or family. Email is not entirely safe to send personal information. So avoid sending a social security number, credit card information, or similar confidential information in an email message. Plus, avoid opening the unsolicited emails (spam) because they often contain offensive content, viruses, and scams.
Shop wisely
If you are planning on doing some online shopping, make sure the website used is a trusted brand and relies on secure technology. On the checkout or other page that asks for personal details, be sure the browser has a secure address and begins with https:. Also, most online stores will clearly state the website uses the latest security technology to keep their customer details safe and encrypted.
Monitor children's online activity
Make sure to pay proper attention to the children's online activity. A preferred place to keep the main computer is in a community area which makes it easier to monitor. Use and install parental control software to ensure the online activity is limited to age-appropriate content. By using the proper software, it is not only possible to block access to the more undesirable content, but it also makes it possible to prevent personal information being share via online programs.
Use security software
Make sure to use a comprehensive suite of software tools to give wide-ranging protection whenever you go online. Whether you are using a premium or free version of the security software, it has the ability to protect the home PC from a variety of cyberspace threats, such as identity theft, spam, adware, spyware, and viruses. Plus, to increase the ability to detect the latest threats it is essential to do regular updates to keep the software working properly.
