How risky is the Internet today?

The Internet has become so entangled in our daily lives that it seems that no one can live without it. This is perfectly understandable. The Internet grants a series of advantages to its participants in the personal, commercial and social aspects of their lives. However, despite its overwhelming advantages, the Internet presents many risks to user security, so it’s difficult for many to gain a satisfactory level of trust online. Fraud continues to proliferate, scams are widespread online, and identity theft-related issues seem to be ever present. If you use the Internet, be careful because it can be a risky online portal that can make your life miserable.

Since complete trust online is virtually impossible, keep in mind that your Internet practices are an important aspect of your online life. Fortunately, there are a variety of practices that can provide some protection online and reduce the likelihood that you will be the victim of an online crime. Here are five helpful tips, when used together, they reduce your personal, business, and social risk online.

Secure your computer against malware.

Malware are external threats to your computer, such as viruses, worms, and spam. Each in their own way can compromise your personal information, your privacy, and your reputation. Online criminals get into your system in ways that are not obvious and are unlikely to leave visible traces of their misdeeds. All systems have loopholes and cybercriminals take advantage of them. Installing antivirus software and email spam filters will help protect your overall privacy online. Your Internet Service Provider may have some of the tools and techniques for you. Consider giving them a call to find out how much protection you can expect from their service. Complement these services with your own product. There are plenty of trusted providers, like Symantec, McAfee, and Kaspersky, that can give you peace of mind for a reasonable annual subscription fee. These products are continually reviewed and updates are provided on an ongoing basis as new threats emerge.

Equally important is protecting your wireless network, should you use one of these. Encryption protection must be enabled. Encryption ensures that criminals cannot view your online transactions.

Pay attention to your security settings

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are the most visited sites on the Internet today. Hackers and cyber criminals take advantage of the inherent vulnerabilities of these sites for their nefarious plans. That’s why you should be careful about your account security settings. Please take the time to understand the privacy policies of these sites. If you’re not willing to read the fine print, there are reliable resources online that can interpret the policies for you. It is your responsibility to know how these sites work and what they do with your information. A good personal policy is to initially limit your capabilities through user settings until you become familiar with the interactions of these sophisticated social models. And don’t post anything on these social networking sites that you wouldn’t want to see on the front page of the New York Times.

As for your browser, you can adjust the sensitivity to match your comfort zone. But at least set your browser to prevent popups. They can be both a threat and a nuisance. And most browsers will give you the option to allow pop-ups for the sites you choose.

Be diligent about online banking

Please note that even your online banking transactions may be subject to online risk. Cybercriminals can access your online account through phishing or password scams. In their phishing mode, they send you an email that has a link to a fake website that looks like your bank’s website. After surreptitiously stealing your password, they may recommend a free product for you to download. What you may end up with is software on your system that monitors your keystrokes, thus exposing your financial information.

Never reveal login details in email. Although account numbers and Social Security numbers are passed on in phone calls with customer representatives, never provide login details. Also, never bank online on public computers. And, as always, check that you’re on a secure connection by entering your account details by looking at the URL or web address in your browser. It should start with “https://”, with that “s” in the middle. This is very important.

Use email safely.

Don’t assume you can trust your email. Most scams and frauds use email as the entry point for your personal information. Do not click on a link or respond to emails or pop-ups that ask for personal information such as social security numbers, usernames, or bank account numbers. Web protocol, followed by legitimate companies, will never ask for these intimate details in an email. If in doubt, go directly to the website by typing the website address into your browser. There, with a secure connection, you can conduct business with confidence.

Be careful with your passwords.

Make it difficult for scammers and cybercriminals by being careful with your passwords. Passwords are your first line of defense in cyberspace. Therefore, make your passwords “strong”. Don’t use your children’s birthdays or names. Combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols create strong passwords. A personal password building system is a good idea. For example, your password system could be a construct of a keyword, followed by a symbol of your choice, and completed with a simple code that links to the website you are entering. Check online for recommendations on how to create strong, personal, and variable passwords.

For more information on how to protect your identity, privacy and reputation, please visit our website at http://mycyberiq.com.