Staying safe online seemed so simple back in the day, but now it seems like a miracle if you don’t get scammed online. Don’t despair. There are several easy security measures you can implement to make time spent online feel safer so that you don’t have to worry. Let’s get into it!
1. Ensure everything is encrypted
Online encryption is so important. It ensures that when you’re interacting with a site and inputting potentially sensitive information, nobody can eavesdrop. There are a few ways to get encrypted. If you’re an ordinary web user, get the HTTPS Everywhere browser extension, which will add encryption to every site you visit. If you’re a website owner, look after your users and purchase an SSL certificate. It’s a surefire way to build user trust and give them peace of mind when they see the trusty padlock symbol in the address bar.
2. Get a VPN
Another good way to protect your web browsing and keep things private is using a VPN, particularly if you often use public networks. VPNs work by creating an encrypted tunnel around your computer traffic so nobody can see what you’re doing. This is ideal if you’re out in public and want to do something involving sensitive data, like online banking.
3. Use strong passwords
It’s a simple yet effective solution that many people overlook. What’s the use of all these VPNs and antiviruses if anybody can guess your password by brute force? It may seem like a pain, but using and reusing simple passwords can only end badly in this day and age. Start trying to use passwords that are at least 12 characters long, a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters, and never use the same password twice. Make it easier on yourself by getting a password manager.
Read more about – How Can WordPress Help Your Business?
4. Be mindful of phishers and scammers
Everyone knows of the “Nigerian Prince” email scam by now, but not all online scams are so obvious. Brand impersonation is getting increasingly sophisticated, from would-be online stores sending you to a very convincing online site to change your password to text messages apparently from the post office asking you to pay an online service charge to receive a package you don’t remember ordering. It’s very easy to be hoodwinked when you’re not paying attention. So try to be mindful when you get messages like these. Examine each one closely and ask yourself the likelihood of it being real. Research whether this is a common scam – often it is. And remember, no real online business will ever contact you asking for your password.
