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CYBER SAFETY WITH SEMALT





TABLE OF CONTENT

 1. Introduction
 2. How to Keep Safe While Using the Internet
    * Keep Personal Information Limited
    * Be Careful of what you Share Online
    * Keep Your Privacy Settings on
    * Be Conscious of what you Click
    * Choose Strong Passwords
    * Use Two-Factor Authentication
    * Secure your Internet Connection (Use VPN)
    * Be Careful What You Download
    * Be Careful where you Buy Things Online
    * Be Careful Who You Communicate with Online
    * Keep Your Antivirus Program Up to Date
 3. Conclusion


1. INTRODUCTION

The internet is a rich gold mine that has positively changed the world in many
ways. Yet, it has also become a breeding ground for spam, malware, viruses,
intentional and unintentional data breaches, and several cybercrimes. With the
number of internet users increasing exponentially each year, these risks are
quickly increasing and evolving harshly as well. So far, there is no replacement
for the internet, so the only thing one can do for now is to stay safe while
using the internet. 


The issue is that most people overlook the vulnerability that is attached to
surfing the internet without safety precautions; this could be disastrous. One
single misstep on the internet could cost a person everything, but most people
aren't ready for this conversation. People have lost their whole life savings
(huge money) to scams; identities get stolen, resulting in legal consequences
for the innocent victim, devices get hacked only for scandalous pictures and
videos to be used in blackmailing people. 


That's not all, personal comments or blog posts found in later years have cost
people their jobs, even huge business deals, and political positions. Yet, most
people still think it can't happen to them. The fact that you are reading this
guide shows that you seek ways to protect yourself from the vulnerability of the
internet as it is known today. That is awesome; kudos! So, without much ado,
here are 10 cybersecurity tips to help reduce your vulnerability online. 




2. HOW TO KEEP SAFE WHILE USING THE INTERNET 

 * Keep Personal Information Limited 

You should keep your personal information limited because it could be stolen and
used for fraudulent activities. If online data phishers get access to your full
name, bank details, address, security numbers, etc., they could use it to siphon
your money. Your details with the inclusion of your picture could be stolen
(identity theft) and used to scam unsuspecting people. Just like you can't hand
your details to physical strangers, you shouldn't place them online where
millions of strangers can access it. 
 * Be Careful of what you Share Online

Also, you should be careful about what you share online because what you think
is insignificant could cost you so much later on. Young people frequently post
racial slurs online, thinking it means nothing. Unfortunately, their potential
employers end up discovering this, and this makes them lose the job. Several
artists and actors have lost their professional contracts and fanbases due to
insensitive comments or posts they made online. 


More so, different politicians (old and budding) have lost their political
careers due to embarrassing or insensitive information that surfaced about them.
The fact is that the internet never forgets. This is why you should protect
yourself from future regrets by limiting what you post online. Before you post
any picture/video or write anything online, ask yourself what would be the
reaction of your potential employers, investors, fanbases, audiences, and the
likes later on if they were to come across what you posted. If their reaction
won't be good, then rethink making that post.
 * Keep Your Privacy Settings on
   

Marketers and hackers want to know everything there is to know about you, and
this isn't for your benefit. Asides from knowing about you through what you post
on the internet (as said above), they can get the needed information about you
through what and where you browse. 


Different web browsers, mobile operating systems, and social media platforms
have been called out for directly or indirectly handing data of their users to
marketers and the likes. This is why you should always turn on your
privacy-enhancement settings if your app has them. But whether your app has them
or not, you should protect yourself by limiting your personal information out
there. 


 * Be Conscious of what you Click

Just like you won't choose to walk through a dangerous neighborhood, you
shouldn't click on links that are potentially malicious because that is similar
to walking through a dangerous neighborhood. The internet is filled with pieces
of content that contain malicious links. If you carelessly click on such a link,
your device might get infected with malware or virus. 


Your personal data could be exposed and used to gain access to your bank
account. Your identity could be stolen and used to dupe people as well. So, you
should be mindful of what you click. Try to check if the link you are about to
click is genuine. From the URL, you can know this. If the headline of the link
seems spammy, it most likely is; please don't click it. Also, if you are
directed to another site that seems malicious, you should exit the page fast. 
 * Choose Strong Passwords

Your password could be guessed or sighted and used to access everything you
thought was password-protected. The problem is that people tend to choose easy
passwords that they can easily remember. Unfortunately, this puts them as easy
targets for cybercrimes. That's why you should use strong and complex passwords
that would be hard for cybercriminals and even close friends/relatives to figure
out. 


Your strong password should be at least 13 characters long and be a mixture of
letters, numbers and special characters. You can have a password manager
(software) manage multiple passwords for you so that you don't forget them. The
only problem is that if your device gets into the wrong hands, the password
manager makes it possible for them to all your passwords no matter how
complicated.
 * Use Two-Factor Authentication

Even if you have a strong password, you should still set up the have two-factor
authentication procedure. This provides further security for you in case a
hacker accurately guesses your password. The hacker still won't be able to
access your digital possessions because the two-factor verification requires
further verification. And of course, this would alert you that your account is
in danger of being breached so you can take quick action against it.
 * Secure your Internet Connection (Use VPN)

Using VPN (Virtual Private Network) is one of the best ways to keep safe while
surfing the internet. VPN encrypts your network and masks your IP address, so
you are secured while connected to an Internet server. This means that your data
cannot be monitored or accessed while you are using a VPN. Also, malware can't
have access to your device. 


You should use VPN on most if not all occasions, but it is particularly
important while you are using public WIFI or browsing on a site that tends to be
malicious. Endeavor to use high-quality VPN to be fully assured of your online
security. 
 * Be Careful What You Download

Cybercriminals often lace files, programs, and apps with malware. This means
that once you download those infected files, your device becomes easily
accessible by the creators of those files or apps. Since they can easily access
your device, they can locate your bank details, monitor you, or steal
embarrassing documents/pictures/videos that will be used in blackmailing you. 


That's why you should never download files with questionable origins. Also, you
shouldn't download apps from sites that look suspicious. Even on the well-known
app sites like Google play store, Windows, and Apple store, you should first
verify what the app is about and those that created it before downloading it. 
 * Be Careful where you Buy Things Online

Any time you make try to buy something online, you provide the details of your
credit card or bank account to pay for your purchase. That particular
information that you used to pay for your order is what cybercriminals want to
get their hands on. So, to secure yourself only make a purchase online from
secured, verified stores with encrypted connections. 


Also, you should check the site thoroughly to be sure that it is not a duplicate
site created by the cybercriminals to steal your information. Secured sites
usually have "s" as part of the "https" which us their URL address. It shouldn't
be plain "http." It should also be marked with a padlock icon next to the
address bar. 


 * Be Careful Who You Communicate with Online

People you meet digitally through the internet are not always who they claim to
be. They might be fraudsters posing as someone else with a fake or stolen
identity. That's why you should be wary of strangers online, just like you are
with strangers physically. If you get cozy with a stranger online, you shouldn't
share your details with them. Also, break all ties immediately they start asking
for money (directly or indirectly). They are most likely con artists. They are
pretty common these days, so you have to always be on guard when dealing with
strangers online. 
 * Keep Your Antivirus Program Up to Date

Internet security software cannot protect you from all forms of online security
threat, but they guarantee your safety to a considerable extent, particularly if
they are up to date. That is just the same way your antivirus works. Your
antivirus can detect and remove most malware from your device to ensure your
digital security, but the antivirus can't perform as much as it should if it's
not upgraded to the latest version provided by the developer. 


Some people haven't updated their antivirus in months and even years; you
shouldn't fall into this category. So, try to check for software upgrades
frequently z this will ensure that your antivirus can protect your device, to
the best of its ability, against malware and other types of computer/phone
infection.


3. CONCLUSION

Since surfing the internet is unavoidable, you should use the tips above to
ensure your security online. You might be of the notion that "nothing can happen
to me" or "I have my ways", but you should know that you aren't immune to
Internet threats if you don't take the right precautions. So, endeavor to
practice safe browsing. You should also contact our internet specialists here at
Semalt. We can guide you on how to stay safe on the internet and also provide
further security for your business website. This will ensure that you, your
business and customers are all adequately protected from cyber threats.