Due to the sophistication of online threats, it can be hard to surf the internet securely. Many people who have infected their computers by malware or other cyber-infiltrations do not know this and fall for fraudulent offers. Everybody can take steps to decrease their vulnerability to cyber-attacks. They can set up firewalls and install antivirus software. A few bad clicks can expose you to cyberattacks online. These are five mistakes you should avoid.
1. Unsafe Emails
Sometimes emails from unknown sources arrive in our inboxes. These may be promotional offers or work-related questions. You should not click on any links without being cautious. Scammers will often pretend that the email comes from a trusted company. These scammers include Microsoft, Facebook, and Paypal. They may also offer prizes and compensation to their victims. You may have received a fake message or grammar. Long-string email addresses are often sent from unknown sources. These addresses often look random and don’t correspond with the purported company. While most email providers will not send these emails to spam, there are exceptions. Unknown email addresses should not be opened and you should refrain from clicking on any links contained in these emails.
2. Use public wifi networks
Many people use public wifi networks without thinking. They can also expose us to cyber-attacks. Because we don’t know who is connected to the network, they can have access to our browsing data. Competent hackers can easily access these networks to see our browsing habits and view them. To protect your digital footprint, install VPN and limit file access to public networks. This will allow you to use Wifi more securely and allows you to keep your data private.
3. Browse Websites without SSL
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is a technology that encrypts data sent between a browser and a website. It is one of the most important foundations of online security. This technology is the backbone of security for most websites today. All the trusted sites will use it. It is easy for you to identify if your site is SSL-encrypted. The URL should start with HTTPS. There should also be a padlock icon beside the address bar. The padlock symbol will be replaced by a red line if you aren’t on this website. Sites with questionable origins, such as torrents and warez downloads, or scammer websites, will not likely have SSL. These sites can expose you to cybercrime and malware at a greater rate.
4. Activating pop up content
While most advertising content found on websites is legitimate, there are still dangers. Many users click these links accidentally only to find that they are exposed to malware content that can cause serious damage to their computers. An ad-blocker is a good idea. If necessary, you can whitelist legitimate websites. It is better to go to the task manger and close your browser than to try to close the popup. This will reduce the risk of you being exposed to dangerous web content.
5. Use simple passwords
This is one of the most common mistakes online users make. Hackers can easily hack your password if they only have one. Stronger passwords should include numbers, letters and symbols. There are many options if you have trouble remembering twenty passwords. Different spacing and capitalized versions can be used for the same basic phrase. This will make it harder to crack. You should also keep in mind that different websites have different reputations and security. Therefore, you may want to create different passwords for high- and low risk accounts.
To reduce your vulnerability to cyber attacks, these simple mistakes can easily be avoided. These mistakes can be avoided by using common sense and being vigilant online. Before you make a purchase, listen to your gut and close the tab. Cybercriminals will find it more difficult to win.
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