A Few Tips for Staying Safe Online
The 21st century opened the gate to the Information Era. We live in a time of rapid technological advancement. Computer science is developing faster than ever before, and more and more people are becoming “technologically literate”. It is safe to say that, in many ways, technology has made our lives drastically easier.
However, this comes with a trade-off. Now that every household has, not one, but multiple PCs (not even mentioning all the other electronic devices), cybercrime, hacking, and online scams are more abundant than ever. Luckily, we’ve come up with a number of ways to combat all of these threats. In this article, let’s talk about ways in which you can stay safe when browsing the web.
Never Give Too Much Personal Info
Whenever you go to a website that requires registration, they usually ask for emails and a password. However, there are some sites out there that demand a whole lot of more private info about their user base. While it is a bit hyperbolic to say that all of these sites are scams or risky, it is still true that, more often than not, all that info is unnecessary.
Let us take, as an example, the online gambling industry, which is on the rise in the 21st century. Licensed and regulated sites like novibet.ie are quite trustworthy, and only demand your email and a strong password. However, there are many unregulated and unlicensed gambling sites, which ask for all sorts of private info, including your credit card number and ID. When you come across sites like that, you’re probably better off looking for a more reputable option.
Don’t Click Strange Links
When you are visiting websites, or checking your messages, make sure not to click any links, if you don’t know their origin. Often times, scam artists send links which contain harmful materials, and sometimes lead to a website that charges you by the minute. It is best to avoid links from sources which you do not recognize, however, if you must click a link, double check to see if it is safe, and the website it leads to is reputable.
Use VPNs
For those not in the know, a VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and it is the latest attempt on the part of computer scientist to ensure your cyber safety. The purpose of a VPN, simply put, is to protect your IP address by redirecting it to a remote server. Basically, when surfing online with a VPN enabled, the server becomes your data source. Not only does a VPN cloak your whereabouts, it also opens the doors to regional content, and provides a much more secure encryption.
Use an Antivirus
At this point, most people are familiar with the concept of an antivirus. Computer viruses and antiviruses are already decades old, and there are very few people in the world right now that use a computer, but no antivirus program. However, in case there are some remaining, it bears mentioning. An antivirus is mandatory for anyone who spends a long time browsing the internet.