$318 billion is spent annually on victims of cybercrime worldwide.
Staying safe online is crucial in the new world we are living in. It may not be safe to log onto social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter until we have a solid plan to protect against cyber attacks.
Some people don’t want to entirely give up their love of social media. It’s essential to talk to friends and family to stay in touch. So how do you balance your needs and your safety?
Here are some essential tips for how to stay safe online.
1. Choose a Strong Password
Most people use the same password for everything, which is a huge no-no. If a hacker gets ahold of your password, they can access everything. You should have a different password for every account and ensure they are strong.
A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words like your name, birthday, or favorite sports team.
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2. Don’t Click on Unknown Links
With the ubiquity of email and text messaging, it’s no wonder that phishing scams are on the rise. Don’t click on links in emails or text messages from unknown senders. If you hover over the link, you should be able to see the actual URL it will take you to. If it doesn’t look right, ignore or delete it if possible.
3. Beware of Phishing Emails
Phishing is the unauthorized attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Phishing emails look like they come from a legitimate source but are actually from a hacker. They may try to get you to click on a link or download an attachment that will install malware on your computer.
Encrypting your personal information will help keep your identity safe if your computer is hacked.
4. Keep Your Software Up to Date
If you want to stay safe online, one of the most important things you can do is keep your software up to date. New security patches are constantly released, and if you’re running an older version of a program, you may be vulnerable to attack. Be sure to set your software to update automatically, so you don’t have to remember to do it yourself.
This means having the latest version of your web browser, your operating system, your security software, and your other programs. Keeping your software up to date helps to protect you from new online threats as they emerge.
Remember These Tips on Staying Safe Online
If you follow these four simple tips, you can help keep yourself staying safe online. Be aware of the dangers, save your information to yourself, use strong passwords, and update your software.
By being cautious and taking some simple precautions, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft or other online crimes.
If you found these tips helpful or are more interested in the subject, don’t hesitate to check out some of our other related articles!