Due to the advancements in technology, kids these days are always online. Most of these kids own smartphones, laptops, tablets and gaming consoles which they use to access the internet. While it is true that the internet is a good platform to gain exposure and grow yourself, there are also many risks associated with navigating the internet. In this article we will see some of the tips for safe browsing
Use strong passwords
Ensure you select a password that will be difficult to guess. A strong password should have the following characteristics
- It should be long, the longer the better.
- The password should have a mix of letters, both lowercase and uppercase
- The password should have numbers and special characters
It is advisable to use different passwords for different accounts, just in case one account is hacked, your other accounts will be safe. Your passwords should be confidential, do not share them, and do not write them down in shared spaces.
Keep your personal information private
Do not share any of your sensitive information with the public, including on social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Avoid using public WI-FI
Do not access personal bank accounts, or sensitive personal data on unsecured public networks. An encryption-free connection allows hackers to monitor all files shared between a user and server on a public network. Hackers may also install malicious software on the user’s device without the user’s knowledge.
Pay attention to possible phishing schemes
Phishing traps are most commonly in the form of emails from untrusted sources. Do not open email attachments, especially links from people you do not know. Cyber attacks often use such links to trick users into visiting malicious sites that download malware that can be used to steal the user’s data.
Always back up your data
The key reason why a data backup is important is to save important files in the event of a system crash. Recently there have been rising cases of ransomware where cyber criminals encrypt your data and demand payment to release it. A data backup will help you retrieve your data and not lose money to cyber criminals.
Conclusion
Cyber hygiene is a responsibility to all of us. If you want to learn more on how to safely navigate the internet, kindly visit https://kenic.or.ke/ for more articles like this.
By: Joel Lumumba