How to stay safe online

Nowadays, we use the internet to shop, communicate, work and have fun, but with that comes risks to our online security – safe online. In this article, we’ll look at a few basic principles and practices you can implement to stay safe while navigating the virtual world.

Contents

1. 5 rules to stay safe online
2. Incognito mode – a useful habit, not antivirus protection
3. What incognito mode does not do – and what else to do

5 rules to stay safe online

1. Update your software applications: Keep your operating systems, browsers and antivirus programs up to date. This helps to plug potential vulnerabilities and prevent malware attacks.2. Avoid unknown links and websites: Don’t click on links or open attachments from unknown sources. Beware of potential phishing attacks that can put you at risk of fraud or identity theft.3. Create strong passwords and use two-factor authentication: Choose complex passwords that include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Enable two-factor authentication where possible to further enhance the security of your accounts.4. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs encrypt your internet connection and protect your personal information from unwanted surveillance and tracking.5. Be careful when sharing personal information: Avoid sharing too much personal information online. Be careful with your social media posts and the information you share in online forms and profiles.

Incognito mode – a useful habit, not antivirus protection

I notice that quite a few people fall victim to internet infections, viruses, and so on when they open pages with unclear information.The trick is that whenever you want to see something online, whether it’s Facebook, Google+, Twitter or other networks, do it with the Incognito browser!What does this mean and how does it work?When you come across a piece of material on Facebook, for example, if simply clicking on a link will open it in a new tab (new page), there are many ways to accept it just by CLICKING and that it is from that site. Congratulations, you’re already infected 😀 And sometimes you don’t even need to click anywhere, the infection occurs by logging into the site.Most infections have a purpose – to steal your information, control your visits to sites you don’t recommend at all, and sometimes even for serious abuse.How to open a site with an incognito browser? An example of what I do: When I see something interesting (let’s say I use Google Chrome), I click on the link with the DECEH button, and select “Open link in the same window” and in this way I browse the given site. In principle, IHKOGHITO windows do not store cookies, passwords or any other information, and after clicking on X, no one except you knows that you have visited the given site. By opening a connection with a different browser than the one you have logged in with, you eliminate the possibility of your cookies and information being taken from you. IF YOU HAVE NOT LOGGED IN ANYWHERE WITH THIS BROWSER!!!That’s it friends, open the links incognito or from a browser you don’t use and you won’t have any problems.

What incognito mode does not do – and what else to do

I need to be precise here: according to the Google Chrome Help Center, incognito mode does not keep your history, cookies and form data after you close the window, but it does not protect you from malware and does not hide your activity from the websites you visit, your employer or your internet provider. Use it as an addition to the rules above, not as a replacement.

To really stay safe online, combine several measures:

• turn on automatic updates and your browser’s built-in protection (Safe Browsing in Chrome);
• use a password manager and two-factor authentication for email, social networks and online banking;
• check the site address before you enter any data – phishing pages often copy the design of the real ones;
• back up important files so that ransomware cannot hold you hostage.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency publishes practical advice for home users and small businesses in its Secure Our World campaign. If you run a website, staying safe online applies to your visitors too: an up-to-date WordPress, an SSL certificate and regular checks are part of the website maintenance I provide for my clients.