Internet
Safety: A Layman’s Perspective
In today’s world, the internet has played a huge role
in our lives. We use the internet to connect ourselves with our loved ones,
work, studies, and entertainment. But, just like a crowded city, the web is
also full of crowds. We meet both good and bad people on the internet just like
in our life. But fortunately, staying safe online is not that complicated. A
little caution and a few good habits can make a big difference in our web
surfing experience.
People assume that they know how to stay safe online.
Yet, real-life cases show that small mistakes can lead to big problems. In this
article, we will explore how we can protect ourselves and our identity on the
web and learn some common terminologies used while using the Internet. Internet
safety is about protecting yourself from all the harmful activities that happen
due to misuse of the internet or information technology. To be safe, you need
not be a technology expert. But it’s all
about being mindful and understanding how I am using it.
There are a lot of dangers while surfing the internet.
Such as :
-
Phishing Scams: Scammers usually pretend
to be trusted companies or people to trick you into sharing personal
information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. Sometimes they also use
some panic-inducing words like your device is slow, you are at risk, you are
running out of storage, you are in danger, etc. to make you install some
malicious applications (apps) on your device.
-
Malware: Hackers use software or apps
written with malicious content to damage our devices or steal our sensitive
data. For instance, when we are downloading pirated desktop applications and
games or using mod apps on our smartphones, we are prone to identity theft in both
cases.
-
Cyberbullying:
Nowadays harassment or blackmailing over social media platforms is increasing
day by day. Users should protect their information to escape these situations.
Most of the affected users are teenagers or children. So, we should guide them
to be aware and always seek guidance from a trusted adult while surfing the
internet.
-
Pornography: The internet contains both
good and bad content, which is unsuitable for children or underage teenagers.
While surfing pirated movies or software websites we see a lot of advertisements
with nude pictures and GIFs. These kinds of things can lead children to
pornography or various other illegal and immoral activities.
It is not that difficult to escape from these kinds of
situations. We need to be a little more cautious and mindful while surfing the
internet than we are doing before.
Here are some easy tips to stay safe online:
1. Use
strong passwords: Always create passwords that are hard to guess. Such as a mix
of letters, numbers, and symbols. We should avoid using our names, birthdates,
or the letters used in our usernames while creating passwords.
2. Be
careful where you click: Think twice before clicking on links or downloading
files. We should always verify who is seeding that file and is that seeder a
safe source.
3. Keep
things updated: We should make a habit of updating antivirus software and all
the other software we often use. It is because outdated software is very prone
to hacking and leaking data. Updating them will fix loopholes or
vulnerabilities within them and make our data safe.
4. Check before allowing permission: After
installing a mobile app, it always asks the user for some permission. In that
case, we must verify and double-check whether the permission it is asking is
genuine or not. For instance, if a clock app is seeking permission to access a
camera or our photos where there is no use of photos in the app, then it might
be a trick to access our data by the app developer. In that case, we should
uninstall the application and install another application for the same
purposes.
5. Use antivirus: To protect our data from
harmful software we should use well-known antivirus software or Windows Defender
as well as keep them updated.
6. Be
cautious while using public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi is the least secure source to
access the internet. We should avoid using sensitive accounts or mobile banking
apps unless we’re using a VPN.
7. Adjust
privacy settings: Always ensure to check and adjust privacy settings on your
device and social media accounts to avoid oversharing your data.
8. Educating
Others: Being safe online and making others safe online are both equally
important. As we are living in the 21st century, we should not limit
our knowledge to our own. However, we should share it with our friends and
family to make them feel secure as well.
Internet safety is not
about knowing every technical term or tool; it is about being aware and making
smart choices. Think of the internet as a busy street, it is full of
opportunities, but you need to see where you are going. By staying informed and
cautious, you can enjoy the benefits of the online world while keeping yourself
and your data secure. Stay safe and enjoy surfing!
Published in Creative Corner Volume 1 Issue 2
Author:
Student, Diploma
in Computer System Technician - Network Systems
Mohawk College,
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
