10 ways to stay safe on the internet

10 Ways to stay safe on the internet

Due to the Covid -19 many families have now found themselves in a position were their children must use the internet. The main concern for most people is how safe are they while using the internet.
Children nowadays are more apt to using technology much more than previous generations before a lot of them can use tablets, laptops and smart devices better than their parents can. The internet is a wonderful tool for information when used correctly. However it can be equally as harmful to us if we connect to the wrong places.
So the big question is,” How can I ensure my family is safe on the internet?”.

Tip #1 : Educate your Children

It is only natural that children my click on the wrong link from time to time. It is vitally important that you teach them about suspicious activity and more importantly encourage them to tell an adult if they come across something strange. Install security software that can block them from visiting unwanted site's.

Tip #2: Know that private may not be private

Many applications collect your information for marketing research in order to provide you with appropriate advertising. It is important that you advise everyone who is using these apps to read the privacy policies. As they may be agreeing to share your personal information. It is quite common that people accept these policies without reading them.
Keep your privacy settings as high as possible. You should always remember that nothing is ever really private. Law enforcement, website administrators and even hackers can access your private data.

Tip #3: Identity Theft

Both children and adults could easily expose themselves to Identity theft, by giving out your personal information. You need to educate your children and advise them of how valuable their identity is.
Social Security numbers along with date of birth details and home addresses are often shared voluntarily. Scammers are professionals and they use many tricks to get the children to disclose their personal information. You should never give these details out.

Tip #4: Phishing scams 

Everyone has come across at some time in their lives strange links supposedly from your bank or a friend. Your immediate reaction is not to click on the URL.
Have you informed all the other internet users in your household to do the same? It comes back to the importance of educating everyone about Phishing. Which is basically an email or message looking for your personal information, bank details etc. Your option could be to install a Security program such as Norton to block the URL´s.

Tip #5: Use a password management system

How many of you are guilty of using the same password for multiple accounts?
Passwords are the first line of defence for your computer system. Hackers can access your accounts as many people use easy to remember details. Such as your date of birth, children names, house number etc. So it is very important that you have unusual passwords to make the hackers job more difficult.
If you find it difficult to remembering the passwords you could always use a password management program. The program will remember all the different passwords and you will only have to recall one.
It is extremely important that you never share your passwords!

Tip #6: Social network security

Let's face it everyone has a Social Media account of some description these days. Cybercriminals use social media as a way of hacking into our accounts.
An example could be a friend who you haven’t had contact with in a while contacts you.If this is the case it’s best to check with the friend to see if they have had their account hacked.

Tip #7: Cybersecurity

Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new threats. That means you need to be think carefully before downloading the latest security updates and patches. Stay up to date by following the news about new threats. It is important to share the information with your family about any new ways cybercriminals are doing business. For examples it might be an email or a text message that they shouldn’t open.

Tip #8: Data backup

It is extremely important that you back up your files on regular basis. Ransomware is the term given to when Cybercriminals lock down your computer and prevent you from accessing your files, photos or tax information.

Tip #9: Keep your information private

Everyone should be aware of how much information is too much information. In their excitement to share their milestones, children may sometimes post their personal information online.This is often very common on Facebook. How many court cases have been won over the years with personal information about holidays been posted, while the people were out on sick leave? Other examples might be publishing a driver’s license or a travel itinerary online this could be valuable information for identity thieves and burglars.

Tip #10: Other vulnerable points in your home

You may not be aware but your home Wi-Fi network is another entry point for hackers. Cybercriminals can hack home routers and gain access to various internet-connected devices like home security systems and smart doorbells. Make sure your home Wi-Fi system has difficult passwords and you could consider security software that identifies “intruders” on the network.

Stress the importance of avoiding using public Wi-Fi networks. Kids may not think about hackers and cybercriminals when they connect to public Wi-Fi in shopping centres and coffee shops. Always use a VPN, like Norton Secure Vpn, when connecting to public Wi-Fi.

There are various Security software programs available to buy on the internet, it is just a matter of choosing the best option for you and your family.

If you would like to discuss this topic in more depth why not sign up for some lessons today!

19 mai 2020
Profile Picture
32 $US
USD/h

Ursula Nugent

security_checked
32 $US
USD/h
Flag
Anglais
globe
Irlande
time
1
Parle:
Anglais
Langue maternelle
,
Espagnol
C2
,
Français
A1
I have been living in Gran Canary a small Spanish speaking Island of the coast of Africa since 2003.During this time I have helped many students throughout the World improve their conversational skills. I have attained a C1 level of Spanish while residing here. I am originally from Dublin, Ireland and I come from a Business background as I studied accountancy in Ireland.I qualified as a Trinity Tesol teacher in 2004.I have several years of teaching experience in both presenting online classes and in various schools and business centres throughout Gran Canaria. I have been working in the American School of las Palmas since 2004. In this school we work general with the Cambridge Exams my students age groups vary from 13-17. I do several linguistic courses for the Canarian Government throughout the year. My qualification Fetac level 6 Train the Trainer qualification comes in very handy for these courses as my students are all teachers. I have also been working with primary school ch...
Flag
Anglais
globe
Irlande
time
1
Parle:
Anglais
Langue maternelle
,
Espagnol
C2
,
Français
A1
I have been living in Gran Canary a small Spanish speaking Island of the coast of Africa since 2003.During this time I have helped many students throughout the World improve their conversational skills. I have attained a C1 level of Spanish while residing here. I am originally from Dublin, Ireland and I come from a Business background as I studied accountancy in Ireland.I qualified as a Trinity Tesol teacher in 2004.I have several years of teaching experience in both presenting online classes and in various schools and business centres throughout Gran Canaria. I have been working in the American School of las Palmas since 2004. In this school we work general with the Cambridge Exams my students age groups vary from 13-17. I do several linguistic courses for the Canarian Government throughout the year. My qualification Fetac level 6 Train the Trainer qualification comes in very handy for these courses as my students are all teachers. I have also been working with primary school ch...
Mi vida antes del Covid- 19 (IMPERFECTO) A-2
Profile Picture
Alejandra Santiago
7 août 2020
팔랑귀
Profile Picture
Abby H
7 août 2020
The Origins of popular English Idioms
Profile Picture
Jen Mc Monagle
7 août 2020