Online Safety

Article kindly provided by Sneha Vijay.

Online safety is an important aspect of everyone’s lives.

With ever improving technology and more people learning to use the internet, we should always remember to be aware of what we are doing online and whether it is safe. From privacy concerns, to identity theft and cyberstalking, there are many dangers on the web.

However, there are also many things we can do to maintain online safety. A few smart moves and a little vigilance will go a long way towards protecting you on the net.

Keep your personal information private

There are many opportunities to share information about yourself online. This could range from your age to your address. Lots of people using the internet are concerned about the level of personal information on there, and how it is used. Don’t post very close personal things, and always think about what you’re putting out there-make sure it isn’t anything that could make you vulnerable.

Think twice before you post anything online. Make sure the information you are sharing is suitable for all eyes and not offensive to people. If you’re sharing a photo, take a few moments to note the background details and blur anything like addresses or car licence plates. Be sure to get the permission of whoever is in the photo, as well!

Think about what you post

Check a company’s Privacy Policy before buying

Sometimes after purchasing something; you could be receiving emails, or even phone calls. This can happen when a company shares your personal data with others. Before making a purchase, always be certain to check the Privacy Policy, as no company should be sharing or selling anyone’s personal data.

Phishing is a common technique used by identity thieves to gain your personal information. This crime involves sending e-mails or creating sites that appear to be from an official company. They often ask you to confirm personal data, such as bank account numbers, passwords or addresses. Before adding any personal data, contact the site directly to check if they have been trying to contact you- remember most reputable sites will not contact you in this way, so it is safer to take the precautions. Everything you do on the internet is recorded and is available to other users on some level. In cases of cyberstalking, people can use your identity to post public messages or damaging profiles. Be careful of identity theft-these thieves can use information online to access your bank accounts.

Look out for phishing and identity theft – be aware of your internet presence

Check your accounts regularly

If you have a credit card, keep checking it regularly. If you notice purchases you’ve made or a sudden decrease in the amount, immediately contact your credit card company.

Passwords!

It’s tempting to choose the easiest password-but before easy think safe. Think of a password that is at least 7-8 digits long or one that has certain numbers or symbols in- to increase your safety. And don’t write it down!

Email attachments from strangers

These could contain viruses or malware-think twice before you open an email attachment. It’s quite common for email accounts to be hacked so it’s best to be on guard.

These tips should help you to keep safe online. The average time spent on the internet is over 20 hours a week for adults. With the amount of internet entertainment and work, it is important to keep safe, take care and be aware when using the internet.