One of the places where the majority of the world population visits frequently is the internet. Be it for availing a particular service or getting information regarding something, the internet is the first thing that comes to our mind. But apart from being helpful in many measures, it’s also very easy to get your personal information compromised on the internet.
There are a lot of people out there on the internet looking for your personal information and data. All they need is one wrong step from your side and that’s it. Once your data, your personal information gets compromised, it can be used in a variety of ways to harm you.
So, there are certain things that you can keep in mind and do to avoid getting in such a situation. Here, we will tell you about some of these ways to keep yourself and your data safe on the internet.
Things to do to keep your device secure
- Keep updating your device regularly
As soon as you receive an update for your device or a particular application on it, make sure to install it as fast as you can. Updates are provided by companies to patch the security vulnerabilities that weren’t known earlier. As technology advances different kinds of new vulnerabilities arise. To make sure that no one takes unfair advantage of these vulnerabilities, you need to keep updating your device and it’s applications at regular intervals.
Learn how to update your device in this Square Up article.
- Avoid rooting your device
There are a variety of safeguards that are available in the software of devices. These safeguards can be easily broken by rooting the device but when you root your device it becomes openly vulnerable to threats and attacks that it was previously secure from.
Things to do to keep your network secure
- Always connect your device to secure networks
Secure networks mean networks that are protected by a password and are not open for public use. In case you are in urgent need to use the internet but there is no secure network available, then make sure to change all your passwords with immediate effect after you log in with a secure network. Many times insecure networks become an open trap which lures people in the name of free internet but as soon as you get in the trap closes
- Keep away from file-sharing services
File sharing services are very popular due to free and unlimited access to a lot of information but these places are filled with people with malicious intent. Many a times a file that you might be receiving from these services can be a virus or a malware in disguise which a non-tech savvy user might not recognise instantly but as soon as you get these files on your device they will start corrupting your device and start sending your data to people who will use it for wrong purposes.
Things to do to keep your account secure
- Logging out of accounts after the work is done
This is a common mistake that most people make. Once, their work is done they simply close the tab of the browser and think that they have got out of their accounts. So, you need to make sure that you properly log out of your account after using it. For this, you need to click on the account name which most of the time appears in the top corner. From the drop-down menu or tab that opens you need to select the logout option.
- Make sure to visit an official website before logging in
Phishing is common malpractice that happens on the internet. It’s when a malicious page looking similar to the official login page of a particular website tries to trick you into logging in and submitting it your password there. In this way, it records your password which may be later used for unauthorized access to your account. To avoid this you need to make sure that you are logging in through the official website.
- If possible use a two-factor authentication
Two-Factor authentication is more or less like setting a double lock on your door. Most social media sites and many banking sites now – a – days provide an option for two-factor authentication. So, wherever available, make sure to use this feature. In a two factor authentication, a one time password usually comes on your phone or email after you login through your id and password. Due to this, accessing your account becomes a tough nut to crack for anyone even after they crack your account password.
- Give attention to privacy policies
You share a lot of your personal information and data with companies to avail of their services. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that, if a company is using your data then it must have a privacy policy that must have a mention of how your data or personal information is being used by them and who are they sharing it with. You should read these privacy policies very carefully.
- Keep changing your passwords at regular intervals
Despite keeping your password complex, there is always a chance of it being cracked. So, always keep changing your passwords at a regular interval of five to six months. Apart from this one more thing needs to be kept in mind and that is, you should never keep a common password for two accounts. If you keep a common password for two accounts and someone somehow cracks one password then he can easily gain access to your multiple accounts.
No idea how to make a strong password? How-To-Geek has you covered.
The Internet is filled with people who are always on a look for your personal information and data. The best you can do to remain safe is maintaining a safe distance from them and avoiding them. By using the information and steps mentioned above you can prevent yourself and your data from being compromised. Prevention is always better than cure and this statement applies to the internet arena as well.
