5 Simple Tips to Being Safe Online

April 30, 2018

The internet is great and has a host of benefits but it does have its dangers. Like a double-edged sword, it can serve both good and harmful purposes. The internet is a virtual space where anybody can become anybody.

Here, we would be sharing 5 simple tips for ensuring safety online.

This fake email looks convincing doesn’t it?

Don’t take the bait! It’s designed to steal the username and password for your Amazon account. #PhishyFridays 🎣

👉 Don’t click the link, delete it and report to us: https://t.co/ZMBFllzPVt pic.twitter.com/VSgq9LTmEa

— Action Fraud (@actionfrauduk) April 20, 2018

1. Beware of Malicious Emails

Malicious email are mails that may come off as authentic because they are seemingly from financial institutions, e-commerce sites, government agencies or any other services or businesses. The truth is, most times, these mails are from scammers.

Emails of this kind, often urge you to act quickly because according to them, your account has been compromised, your order cannot be fulfilled or there is another urgent matter to address. When you these kind of mails, don’t be quick to act.

Try some verification tricks, including searching for the company online – but not with information provided in the email, and contacting the company directly – using information provided on an account statement, on the company’s official website or on the back of a credit card.

2. Create Complex Passwords

Creating strong password helps you stay safe online. It’s essential you create different and strong passwords to be used on the internet always– add letters and Symbols to ensure your passwords cannot be forged or replicated by Internet fraudsters.

I think that’s valid 😉 For many organisations, security is still stuck in a world of complex passwords and perimeter-based controls…

— Mark Wilson 👨🏻‍💻 (@markwilsonit) April 30, 2018

3. Practice Safe Surfing & Shopping

When surfing online, always be careful of the websites you visit and what you download–otherwise, you would be downloading a virus sooner than you think. And before inputting your bank details on any website, always make sure that the site’s address starts with “https”, instead of just “http”, and has a padlock icon in the URL field.

This indicates that the website is secure and uses encryption to scramble your data, making it difficult to be intercepted by others. Also, be on the lookout for websites that have misspellings or bad grammar in their addresses. They could be copycats of legitimate websites.

Be sure your online purchases are safe.

4. Do Not Divulge Very Personal Information Online

Giving out personal information about yourself, business or family on the Internet are never smart things to do. Someone might be watching and use the information to trace you and do you harm. Information such as personal addresses, phone numbers, identification, credit cards number and banking details should never be online.

Most of us don’t give out our addresses to strangers on the Internet – and for good reason. For instance, having your ID stolen is one of the most stressful things that can happen to you. Depending on what the attacker chooses to do, you could potentially be locked out of your utilities, credit cards, and even your bank account. Also, watch what you say in digital public spaces.