The internet is like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the internet can help us in carrying out life such as searching for news, social media, transferring money, paying bills, playing, and so on. On the other hand, the internet can also be a danger to us if we are not careful. There are many irresponsible people who can take advantage of our negligence on the internet. We can also become perpetrators of cyber crimes if we do not take care. In order to use the internet safely, there are some internet safety tips that can be done.
1. Be Careful In Sharing Information
The theft of personal data on the internet has been rampant for a long time and is still continuing.
To prevent this, you have to start with yourself. As much as possible to limit yourself in sharing information on the internet. On social media, for example, do not fill in the location of residence, date of birth, with actual information. Don’t even upload photos too often that can provide information for hackers to do bad things.
2. Make Passwords as Unique as Possible
When entering a forum, website, or social media, we will be faced with a page where we must register first before accessing the site. On the registration page we have to fill in a number of fields, usually the mandatory ones are email, username, and password. In this password we have to really think hard about what password to make.
The use of passwords is useful so that our accounts are safe. No one else can access our account but ourselves. Many people create easy passwords so they don’t forget. This is where the fault lies, even young passwords are vulnerable to being cracked. When our account has been hacked, then the perpetrator can enter and pretend to be us. We recommend using a difficult and unique password. The combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols will be quite difficult to hack.
3. Remember That The Internet is Dangerous
We need to realize that everything has a negative side. The internet is indeed a place for information and people who want to access that information. On the internet there are not only good people but also bad people who want to take advantage of anyone who is careless.
Before using the internet, it is necessary to keep in mind that the internet is not completely filled with good things. There are also bad things and bad people. By applying this mindset at the beginning, we as users become more careful when surfing the internet. Don’t let us become victims of cyber criminals.
4. Accompany Children When Using the Internet
The internet is not just something that can be accessed by adults only. Today’s children who are technologically savvy can also access the internet. But the level of awareness of children against the dangers of the internet is still lacking. This is where the role of parents to supervise children when using the internet. For more information about how to keep your child safe online, visit Parenting Pod
As much as possible teach children that the internet is not a 100% safe place. There are only bad people that one day we can meet accidentally. Caution must always be applied when surfing the internet. Although it looks overprotective, supervising children when they surf the internet needs to be done so that children and us do not become victims of crime.
5. Update Password Periodically
When they have finished creating complex passwords, people think that their job is done. Creating a password as complex as possible does not guarantee 100% security. It’s hard to hack, but not impossible. The possibility still exists if we are lazy to change the password.
Passwords must be updated or changed regularly. This is to make it more difficult for hackers to access our accounts or information. We must update the password at least once a month. This makes hackers need more effort and time to steal our data. The password format must also remain the same, namely a combination of uppercase, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols so that it is difficult to break.
Related: How To Create A Strong Password That You Won’t Forget?
6. Increase Security
Never feel that we do not have important data and information that can be used by hackers and feel that computers and other gadgets do not need security. As long as a computer or anything is connected to the internet, then there is an exchange of information that occurs and there will be gaps that hackers can enter. In the absence of security, hackers can freely access the gadgets that we have.
Both computers, smartphones, tablets, and any items, need to get enough internet safety tips. On your computer, install a firewall, anti-virus, anti-malware, and other safeguards to keep your computer safe from virus and hacker attacks. On smartphones the same thing applies. Install anti-virus and set passwords in some important applications so that your data is safe. Don’t forget to update your password regularly and install two-factor authentication.
7. Be Careful With Strangers
When chatting with strangers via the internet, we still have to be careful with them. Strangers with bad intentions have various tricks to catch their victims off guard and then take advantage of them.
When you want to be invited to meet in the real world, don’t immediately say yes easily. Look for all kinds of reasons to buy time. While buying time, find out more information about the person. If you are sure to meet, invite other trusted people to accompany you without the knowledge of him so that they can watch over us.
8. Maintain Behavior When Surfing
Spreading false information or data without the knowledge of the data owner can also make us guilty. That’s why we as users also need to maintain our behavior while surfing the internet.
Of course we already understand what cyberbullying is, right? Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs on the internet. Maybe we don’t realize that what we type or say on the internet can actually hurt someone.
9. Download and Install Applications From Trusted Websites
Computer and smartphone users will certainly download applications that are considered useful. And typical of most people, if something is free, why pay for it. So, instead of using paid apps, it’s better to look for free apps.
Indiscriminately downloading applications and installing them on smartphones and computers can be at risk of carrying viruses, malware, and other dangerous things. This is because we are too eyeing the free ones so we are looking for applications from sources that come from nowhere. It could be that the website or application has a virus inserted by the person who created or uploaded the application.
10. Use Two-Factor Authentication
The more here, the smarter the bad guys in finding loopholes to steal the data and information of people on the internet. Previously using passwords with complex combinations would make it difficult for these hackers to steal data, now they don’t anymore.
That’s why there is such a thing as two-factor authentication or two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security to further protect data and information. Using two-factor authentication will ensure that the person trying to access the account is really us. Never be lazy to use this feature so that your data and information is completely safe.
