Staying Safe When Browsing Online From Home

Nowadays, the internet is a fact of life for just about everyone. Whether you’re using the internet for entertainment, work, or for your education, it’s essential that you take the right precautions. The internet is an amazing tool, but it can also pose risks, which need to be appropriately managed. Find out more in Staying Safe When Browsing Online From Home

So, what precautions might you take?

Use Strong and Unique Passwords

The various accounts you create for online shops and services should be strong enough that a stranger wouldn’t be able to guess them. That means abiding by a few principles when it comes to length and complexity. It also, for most people, means storing passwords in a centralised location that’s protected by multi-factor authentication. This is the role of a password manager.

Install Reliable Antivirus and Firewall Protection

The efficacy of antivirus software is disputed among many users of the internet. Some maintain that if you don’t travel to corners of the internet where viruses are likely to lurk, then you won’t need software of this kind. If you’re using Windows, then you’ll already benefit from the protection of Windows Defender, but additional third-party software can offer additional peace of mind. The same goes for firewall protection, which will prevent malicious programs from getting into your system.

Avoid Phishing and Scam Websites

You can’t rely on software to be vigilant against online threats on your behalf. You’ll also need to be vigilant yourself. Be on the lookout for phishing emails and malvertising, which might lure you to a dangerous corner of the internet on false pretences. For example, if you have an account on Amazon, then you might be drawn to a fake Amazon login page. Enter your details, and you’ll be submitting those details, not to Amazon, but to a cybercriminal. Be on the lookout, and check the URL before entering any details.

Use a VPN for Extra Security

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a means of hiding your IP address and your browsing activity from outside parties. Rather than connecting directly to any given site, you’ll connect to a VPN server. This means that, while your VPN provider will be able to see what you’re looking at, no one else will. A VPN also has another considerable advantage, in that it will allow you to consume streaming media from a different territory. So, if you want to log on to Netflix in the US, you need only connect to the appropriate server on the other side of the Atlantic.

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