The digital world
is a thrilling frontier, a treasure trove of connection and opportunity. But
like any uncharted territory, it harbours hidden dangers: lurking malware,
cunning scams, and ever-evolving threats to your privacy and security. Fear
not, intrepid explorer! These 12 Dos and 5 Don'ts in online safety are your
trusty compass, navigating you through the digital jungle with the 17 essential
tips you can't ignore.
Forget bland
"don't click here" warnings. We're diving deep, exposing the latest
digital predators and equipping you with battle-tested tactics to outsmart
them. Think passwords so strong they'd make Fort Knox jealous, phishing scams
you'll sniff out like a seasoned bloodhound, and social media settings that
turn you into a master of your digital domain.
So, are you ready
to reclaim your digital sovereignty? Then grab your cyber sword and shield,
because within these pages lies the power to confidently navigate the internet and conquer the digital dragons of 2024 and beyond. Buckle up, friends;
your online safety adventure starts now!
Here are some
essential tips to stay safe online: first, the Don’ts
1. Don’t Share Your Personal Information Online:
This includes
your full name, address, phone number, email address, social security number,
and other sensitive information. Sharing such information can make you
vulnerable to cyber-bullying, sexual predators, doxxers, and swatters.
Oversharing confidential information online can also make you more susceptible
to an account breach. Hackers can piece together pieces of information on
public forums to design a more compelling phishing attack. They may also use
information from your digital footprint to breach your login security.
2. Don’t Download from Unknown Sources:
Think twice
before downloading unlicensed software, pirated programmes, or downloads from
untrustworthy websites and links. Such downloads may carry malware like
viruses, Trojan horses, or spyware like a keylogger. Pay attention to this:
have you noticed that when you search for an app on the Play Store or Apple
Store, or even when you search for anything on Google, the first few lines of
results are ads? Always scroll past the ad app or link to find the one that appears
generically. It is also safer to type a URL into the browser address bar rather
than simply clicking on the results link. If you suspect you have malware that
violates your privacy, run a virus scan on your computer.
3. Don’t Open Suspicious Attachments:
They can
automatically take you to malicious websites or carry malware like a macro-virus
or ransomware. Yet, some of us still do it because we’re curious or because
we’re anticipating something in our inbox. Taking the risk is just not worth
it. A bad attachment can impact your security and your family’s safety, and it
can even hurt your organisation.
4. Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi:
If you use it,
use it cautiously. Using a public WiFi network at the park, mall, or airport
can be convenient but risky. Such networks aren’t as secure as networks at the
office or home. Threat actors may also set up fake public WiFi networks to
steal your data or initiate a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack. If you simply
have to use public WiFi, avoid using the connection for sensitive work, like a
banking transaction. You can also secure public WiFi with a VPN connection.
5. Don't Download Pornographic Materials or Contents:
I deliberately made this a separate subheading
from point 2 above [Don’t download from unknown sources]. The warning against
pornography is like the warning on cigarette packs: smokers are liable to die
young.”. It hardly enforces compliance because of its addictive nature. But apart from the physiological and
emotional damage viewing pornographic content causes, both the websites
containing these contents and the downloads, be it photos or videos, are the greatest sources of malware like
viruses, Trojan horses, or spyware.
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Those are the "DON'TS" - Now the "DOS"
1. Have a Private Phone Number and Email:
We said before
that you should not share personal details like your phone number online. But in some cases, we need people to contact us, especially those who engage in genuine online businesses, sales,
and affiliate marketing. In that case, what do you do? We always advocate having a private phone
number and e-mail address only known to you and maybe your immediate
family. This private number and e-mail
should be used for your bank transactions and to log in to important and
trusted platforms. Then put phone
numbers and e-mail addresses that are not connected to your bank accounts and
login details of your public profile for your would-be customers, clients, or
even admirers to reach you. This is
because scammers can only make attempts on your accounts when they have access
to your phone number or email.
2. Use Strong Passwords:
When setting a
password, please avoid using recognisable alpha or numerical patterns. Using
your phone number, date of birth, or that of your spouse, child, or any loved
one is a no-no, as they can easily be guessed by fraudsters. Instead, use a combination of uppercase and
lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, use different passwords for
different accounts. Avoid reusing passwords and ensure to use different passwords for different accounts. Avoid that cliche of using one password for all accounts so you don't forget. This way, if one password is compromised, your other
accounts will still be safe.
3. Keep your Software and Apps Up-to-Date:
Software and Apps
updates often contain security patches that fix vulnerabilities in the
software. Keeping your software and apps up-to-date can help protect you from
cyberattacks.
4. Use Two-Factor Authentication:
Two-factor
authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. It requires
you to enter a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password.
You could also use authentication apps in some cases. This way, even if someone gets possession of
your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the code.
5. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN):
A VPN encrypts
your internet traffic and hides your IP address. This makes it harder for
hackers to intercept your data and track your online activity. It’s especially
important to use a VPN when using public WiFi.
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6. Be Cautious of Phishing Scams:
Phishing scams
are fraudulent emails or messages that trick you into giving away your personal
information. They often look like they come from a legitimate source, like your
bank or a social media site. Be wary of any message that asks you to click on a
link or enter your personal information, such as OTP, password, login e-mail or
number, date or place of birth, security questions, and answers. The banks will never demand such information
via email or phone to secure your account. Any time you see or hear things like
“your account is out of date” or “your account is under attack by hackers, give
us so-and-so to secure it,” just know that they are scammers.
7. Be Careful What You Post Online:
Once you post
something online, it’s out there forever, even if you post it and delete it the
same minute before anybody sees it. Even
what is in your phone as long as it is connected to the internet is 100% safe.
Be careful what you post, especially on social media sites. Don’t post anything
that could expose your vulnerability or cause a security risk, like your
current location, address, or phone number. Also, be careful what you post
about others. Posting something negative about someone else could get you in
trouble as well.
8. Back up Your Data:
Backing up your
data is important in case your computer is lost, stolen, or damaged. It’s also
important in case your data is compromised by a cyber-attack. You can back up
your data to an external hard drive, a cloud storage service, or both. It is
called in the local palace “making assurance double sure.”
9. Educate Yourself:
This is the most
important of all the security tips we have exposed in this article and the mere
fact that you are reading to this point shows that you are already doing that.
The best way to stay safe online is to educate yourself about the risks. Learn
about the latest threats and how to protect yourself from them. Stay up-to-date
on the latest security news and trends. The more you know, the better prepared
you’ll be to stay safe online. Subscribe to this blog so you can continue to
get important and timely security updates and more.
10. Share this Information:
Educating
yourself is the most important step towards staying safe online and
offline. But sharing this information is
the best and most honourable thing to do.
That is because security is a collective business. Share with your friends and family. Share on
your social media platforms so that together we can keep safe and keep beating
the fraudsters to their own game.
11. Comment:
Finally, leave us
feedback; let us know your online journey experience, how you have been keeping
safe or how you failed as a victim so we can all learn from your victories or
mistakes. Talking about mistakes:
Mistakes of Esau is one powerful book that can keep you from making
destiny-damaging mistakes. It discusses 10 harmful habits that ruin people’s
destinies. It is a must-read for those who want to make their lives count.
12. Follow or Join Us:
Follow the
solutions hub; subscribe to this blog so you are the first to know whenever
there is an update. Are you a solution provider or a change-maker? You are
welcome to join us. One of the things we do at The Solutions Hub is connecting
those who know to those who want to know.
Conclusion
This isn't just
about protecting your devices; it's about safeguarding your lifeblood—your
identity, your finances, and your peace of mind. Whether you're a seasoned
digital nomad or a cautious newbie, these tips are your armour against the
unseen threats lurking in the online shadows. Take them seriously
Stay Safe Online and Offline, and Stay Blessed
Also, check
- Online Safety Guide: 12 Security Tips You Can't Ignore
- WhatsApp Hack: Learn How to Protect Yourself from Potential Danger!
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