Where would we be without the internet? It has evolved to the point we even do our grocery shopping online. And because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet has been used more than ever. No matter where you go or what you do, however, the internet isn’t always the safest place. Even in the digital world, you need to be mindful of where you go, who you interact with and the type of information you’re putting out there. Here’s some of the best ways you can stay safe on the internet.
Keep Your Passwords Protected
We’ll start off with one of the most obvious tips, protecting your passwords. Whether it’s for your personal or work email, your store account, like Amazon or even a Netflix subscription, your password must be protected. Despite how cybersecurity has evolved over the years, hackers are some of the cleverest people in the world. There is almost no end to their adaptability. The first thing they go for is the password. Once they acquire it, they can then gain access to your personal information.
Identity theft and stolen credit card information is just to name a few things hackers can get their hands on. The first step to protecting your accounts and personal investment strategies is to create a strong password. You know how some websites, like Google for example, give you a pre-made password filled with a bunch of letters, numbers and symbols? That’s the type of password you want.
To ensure it’s secure, you can use a password protection service, like Lastpass, for an extra layer of protection. These services lock your passwords in a separate server backed behind biometric authentication processes. It can only be accessed by information you would know, like the name of an old pet or the address of your childhood home.
Know Where to Shop
As we mentioned before, online shopping has become the norm for many people. Groceries aside, people use the internet to purchase just about everything. However, some websites are not as secure as others. From a slew of bad reviews to simply looking shady, pay attention to the store you’re doing business with. Take online vape shops, for example. If you’re someone who wants to vape, but don’t have a local shop nearby, your first inclination is to order online.
But you need to be careful, especially when it comes to vaping. If you’re looking on a site you’ve just found, do some extensive background research on the company first. Look for reviews left by previous customers and see if they have any claims against them with the BBB. It’ll also help if you look up a 2021 portable vape guide to find the best dry herb vaporizer. These guides will help you narrow down specific picks of portable vapes.
Don’t Download Miscellaneous Files
It should go without saying that you shouldn’t download things on a whim. You don’t know if the content has viruses or malware or trojans attached to it. These things can cause irreparable damage to your computer. One thing you need to be on the lookout for are tracking cookies. This allows the host of the file to monitor the activity of anyone who downloads it.