To stay safe online, here are some essential tips
:
- Protect personal information When applying for jobs, be aware that you should not share information regarding your relationship status or home address
. Potential employers only need to know about your expertise and professional background, and how to contact you
. Only give access to your personal information to websites and people you trust
- Keep privacy settings on Web browsers and mobile operating systems have settings available to protect your privacy online
. Social media sites also have privacy-enhancing settings available
- Practice safe browsing If a website doesn't seem right, it probably is not
. Be careful of suspicious links and where you click, as a careless click can expose your personal data online or infect your device with malware
. Avoid certain online content, such as links from untrusted sources and spam emails, online quizzes, clickbait, ‘free’ offers, or unsolicited ads
- Secure your internet connection When you go online in a public place, for example, using public Wi-Fi, be aware that you have no control of its security and privacy settings
. When using public WIFI, make sure your device is secure, and when in doubt, wait to connect to a secure Wi-Fi network before providing information such as your bank account number
. To further improve your Internet browsing safety, use a secure VPN connection (virtual private network)
- Be careful of downloads Hackers will always try to trick you into downloading malware, which is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network
. This malware can be hidden in programs or apps and can be used to steal private information
- Choose strong passwords Always choose a strong password, instead of one that is easy to remember, which are also easy for cyber thieves to guess
. Password manager software can help you manage multiple passwords so that you don't forget them
. A strong password is one that is unique and complex—at least 15 characters long, mixing letters, numbers, and special characters
- Shop on secure sites When making a purchase online, you will be asked to provide your credit card or bank account information
. Be sure to only supply this information to sites that provide secure, encrypted connections
. You can identify secure sites by looking for an address that starts with https: (the S stands for secure) rather than simply http:
. They may also be marked by a padlock icon next to the address bar
- Consider what you post Anything you post online may stay online forever because removing the original from, for example, a social media site, does not remove any copies that other people may have made
. Don't put anything online that you wouldn't want your mum or a prospective employer to see
- Be careful who you meet online People you meet online are not always who they claim to be
. Fake social media profiles are a popular way for hackers to cozy up to unwary Web users
- Use 2-Step Verification Turn on 2-step verification (2SV)
