It can be difficult to browse the internet safely due to the increasing sophistication of online threats. Most users who infected their computers with malware or other cyber-infiltrations are unaware of this and fall for scams that appear to be legitimate. Everyone can take practical steps to reduce their vulnerability to cyber attacks. For example, they can install antivirus software on their devices and set up a firewall. You can easily be exposed to cyberattacks online by making a few wrong clicks. Here are five common mistakes that you can avoid.
1. Unsafe Emails
Emails from unknown sources occasionally come to our inboxes, be it promotional offers, or work-related inquiries. It’s important to not click on links without caution. Scammers often make it appear that an email is from a trusted company. These include Facebook, Microsoft, and Paypal. They also try to lure users with promises of compensation, prizes, or romantic interest. Poor grammar and alarm messages telling you that your security is being breached are all signs that you have received a fake email. Long string email addresses often come from unknown origins. These addresses usually look random and don’t correspond to the purported company. Although most email providers will send the majority of these emails to the spam folder, there are some exceptions. You should be cautious about opening emails from unknown addresses and refrain from clicking on links in those emails.
2. Make use of public wifi networks
Public wifi networks are often used without much thought. However, they can expose us to cyber-attacks. This is because we don’t know who is on the network and therefore can be in close proximity to our browsing data. Competent hackers are able to easily access these networks and see our browsing activities. It is best to set up your computer to limit file access on public networks and to install VPN to protect your digital footprint and keep it private, while still allowing you to use Wifi with greater security.
3. Browse Websites Without SSL
SSL (Secure Socket Layer), a technology that encrypts data between a website and browser, is one of the foundations of online security. This technology is the foundation of most websites security today, and all the most trusted and respected sites will use it. It is easy to determine if you are on SSL-encrypted websites. The URL should begin with HTTPS and there should be a green padlock icon next to the address bar. If you are not on such a website, the padlock symbol will be replaced with a red line. Websites of questionable origin such as torrent and warez downloads or scammer websites will most likely not have SSL. You are at greater risk of being exposed to malware and cybercrime if you visit these sites.
4. Activating pop-up content
Although most of the advertising content on an internet page is legitimate, it’s easy to let dangerous pop-ups slip by. Users often click on these links by mistake only to discover that they have been exposed to malware content that could cause damage to their computers. It is a good idea to use an ad-blocker all the time. You can also whitelist legitimate websites if necessary. If you do encounter a popup, it is safer to go to the task manager and close your browser there than to try to close the browser window. This will limit the chance of being exposed to harmful web content.
5. Use simple passwords
This is one of the biggest bad habits online users do not address. It is much easier to be attacked by hackers if you use one password. Use stronger passwords that include a mix of numbers, letters, symbols, and different case combinations. If you find it difficult to remember twenty passwords, there are other options. You can have different spacing or capitalized versions of the same basic phrase. This will make it more difficult to crack. Keep in mind that different websites may have different security and reputations, so you might want to set up different passwords for high and low risk accounts.
These simple mistakes can be avoided when browsing to reduce your exposure for cyber attacks. Most of these mistakes are simply a matter of common sense and vigilance when online. Listen to your gut, close the tab, and do some research on the reputation of the site before you make a decision. This will make it even more difficult for cyber criminals to win.
