The Internet has opened a new realm of possibilities, and while it is a cool place, it can be equally terrifying if you are not careful. The ever-growing reliance on online apps, social media, and banking can make it easy for someone to put a target on your back. In this digital age, we must take safety measures to protect our privacy and not fall prey to malicious threats or practices. Whether you are searching for ways to “How To Stay Safe Online” or participating in a stay-safe online campaign, we have you covered. Here is a list of the top three practices you must follow to stay safe online and protect yourself from the deep dangers lurking on the World Wide Web.
1. Only Visit Known And Secure Websites
The first and most basic rule to stay safe online is to visit only authentic and reliable websites. Look out for HTTPS at the start of the website, as the S in HTTPS stands for Secure and is denoted by a lock icon in the taskbar.
A verified SSL certificate is one of the first signs that it is a site you can trust. This becomes especially important if you are shopping online on an e-commerce platform. Other things to look out for are whether the site has any grammatical errors or if the website’s logo is pixelated. Most genuine websites have a high-quality logo with proofwritten content that does not have spelling mistakes.
You might also come across deceptive websites that lure you into giving your personal details, such as your credit card number or banking details. You must double-check the URL of the website and its design to stay safe online and prevent yourself from falling prey to a scam.
Moreover, genuine e-commerce platforms will show you all details, including a GST number and proper address, and use legitimate payment portals such as Razorpay or PayU. Also, make sure to connect to a secure network when transacting online, as using unknown or public Wi-Fi networks can be dangerous.
These networks lack security standards, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. This is why it is highly recommended that you connect to a secure network when dealing with sensitive information such as your banking details or identity cards.
2. Use A Strong Password with Two Factor Authentication
The second practice you must follow to stay safe online is using a strong and lengthy password that is difficult to decipher at first glance. It should include multiple characters, including special characters, and should NOT contain your personal information, such as your name or date of birth, as it makes it easy for hackers to crack. Make sure to create a password that uses a combination of numbers and letters and has at least 12 to 123 characters.
Don’t create easy-to-guess passwords, as they can be easily cracked within the first few attempts. You can save them using a dedicated password manager to ensure easy access and password protection. Moreover, these passwords can also suggest strong randomly generated passwords and protect them in a digital vault.
You can also use the new Passkeys feature to replace your existing passwords. These passkeys use biometric authentication, making it impossible to crack them unless someone physically threatens you.
Furthermore, you should enable two-factor authentication to stay safe online and safeguard your password. So, even if your password gets compromised, hackers won’t be able to access your account until they get the OTP that you have. Also, you can enable security questions to provide extra protection to your accounts.
3. Think Twice Before Sharing Your Confidential Data With Others
Lastly, to stay safe online, you should only share information with people and websites you trust. If an unknown person or website asks for your personal data, make sure to read their privacy and data protection policies and the reason why they are asking for the information before you hand something over to them.
Only share sensitive details like Aadhar card or PAN if you trust the website or the person asking for them. We often easily give away details like our phone number, address, and email address without thinking twice about why this information is actually being asked for.
Avoid clicking on random links and websites you see online or receive in your email. Only press on trusted links and websites to stay safe online. This is because a harmless click can potentially infect your device with a virus or malware. Also, avoid downloading unknown attachments or replying to emails sent by people that you are not familiar with.
These spam or phishing emails will likely be a part of an attempt to steal your personal data. Some of these emails might appear to originate from a legitimate source but often have spelling mistakes or use a fake address. Make sure to check the sender’s address or the URL of the link before clicking them.
Conclusion
That’s it. These are the three ways you need to learn how to stay safe online and protect your personal identity and privacy. By staying alert, you can safeguard yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to a potential scam or an identity threat attempt. It is important to stay vigilant and be aware of the latest tricks used by malicious actors to get one step ahead of them. You can also join Stay Safe online campaigns to get updates and tips on the new security practices.
