Surfing the internet is inevitable these days, especially now that we basically ‘live’ online. Thus, doing this without taking the proper precautions puts our online safety in jeopardy. Downsides of browsing the internet in an unsafe manner include: Malware (or viruses as you may rightly put it) and Phishing - which is simply put as a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as user-names and passwords often for malicious reasons.
As scary as this may sound, it is actually possible to practice safe browsing on the internet to a great degree. We have put together a list of safe browsing tips to help you navigate the web harmlessly.
Your browser serves as your door to the internet. It is therefore only logical to use the most secure one you can lay your hands on. A secure browser is usually equipped with features such as download protection and URL filtering. You can also fine-tune your everyday browsers such as Chrome and Firefox for security and privacy using plugins.
There is a wide array of settings that can be modified on your browser that will ensure your online safety. Some of these settings include: disabling JavaScript (because it contains a high amount of vulnerabilities), deleting browser history on exit (this limits the amount of information your browser saves when you browse), disabling acceptance of third-party cookies, disabling the remember password option for sites, enabling pop-up blocking. Also, never sync your mails to your browsers.
Password managers usually come in handy when the need for multiple passwords arise. They not only store passwords, they also help to generate complex passwords. Noteworthy examples are 1Password, LastPass and Dashlane. All you have to do is remember one master password for the manager itself.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a private network from a public internet connection all in a bid to ensure your online privacy and anonymity. VPNs mask your Internet Protocol (IP) address so your online activities are virtually untraceable.
Phishing as early explained is any fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information. To make yourself immune to this act, you should be informed about these scams. Keep your browser up-to-date and install an anti-phishing toolbar which alerts you once you stumble on a malicious website. You should also be wary of pop-ups as many of them are disguised phishing attempts.
Always authenticate the trustworthiness of any website before you download from such website. If you cannot vouch for the origin of any piece of software, never download or install it.
Change Your Passwords After a Breach
In the event of a major data breach, it is advisable that you change all passwords with immediate effect.
This is basically the sending of a second form of authentication to your mail or phone. So, in the event that a hacker somehow got your password, they’ll still be locked out of your account. Most banking websites employ this method.
On a final note, if you’re ever in doubt about the authenticity of a website, you can always check with us on Safe Domain.