The internet, for better or worse, has altered our lives in several ways. Even though the positives of the Internet are countless, one cannot ignore its dark side. With the advent of the web, privacy has become increasingly rare. Just conduct a web search of your name, and you will be astonished to see how much information is available about you. You address, contact number, email address, family details, etc. are readily available on the internet. Hackers are perpetually on a lookout for personal information which they can use to access the bank card and bank information.
Browsing the internet has become an ordinary activity these days, but danger lurks on individual websites. Web pages can contain Trojan horses, viruses, spyware, worms and other malicious software which can infect your computer system and steal your data. Some websites are designed in order to steal your personal information. Prevention is better than cure; hence it is necessary to take all the preventive measures to protect your computer, data and network. Here are some ways to ensure that your personal information is safe while you are surfing the internet.
1- Download from secure websites
There are a number of websites available on the internet which provides free applications and software. However, when you decide to download files for such freeware from spoof websites, then it is highly likely that the software is loaded with spyware or other malicious code. Before you download freeware, check the reviews and the security certificate. Avoid downloading free games because one of the primary goals of hackers is to deceive the user into downloading malware programs to steal information. Apps can also contain malware. Do not download suspicious apps.
2- Do not click on unknown links
Everybody receives junk mails or unknown mails which direct us to some spoof website with internal links. Do not click on these types of links because they can spread malware on your personal computer and hack all of your accounts and passwords. Nowadays shortened URLs are being used for spreading links to websites and blogs. Do not click on links which originate from unreliable sources.
3- Install a robust Antivirus software
It is crucial to have a reliable antivirus software program on your computer system. Every day hackers and cyber criminals come up with new kinds of viruses, malware and new technologies and techniques to breach your computer. With this in mind, it is necessary to update your antivirus software regularly. Turn the automatic update feature on. Follow up on the alerts sent by the antivirus software.
4- Be careful while shopping online
When it comes down to the computer and data security, shopping online is extremely risky. Most of the online shopping websites require your name, phone number, address, and other personal details which the hackers can easily attain. When you are shopping online, do it from a reliable website and avoid giving your personal information. While making a transaction from your credit card ensure that the browser is connected to a secure transfer system, i.e., https.
5- Do not use Proxy websites and software
Proxy websites and software allow the user to get access to sites which are blocked. Even though these Proxy websites may be useful, one must never share personal data over the proxy websites, software, and other channels.
6- Do not over-share on social media
The more information you share on the social media, the more effortless it will be for people to get access to it. Do not fill up your personal details on social media websites. Keep your Facebook profiles barren. Whatever personal information you share, keep it limited and professional.
7- Ensure that the internet connection is secure
When you are in a public place, avoid using the public Wi-Fi. If you use a public Wi-Fi, you will not have any direct control over its security. The local internet connection is a vulnerable endpoint. Ensure that the device is secured while making online transactions and while accessing your online bank account.
To make sure that your PC should remain secure, you may download and install a good antivirus on it. Mcafee is one of the renowned names in the antivirus industry. To activate it you may visit www.mcafee.com/activate or mcafee.com/activate.
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