Proven Security Tips, Tools, and Tactics to Stay Safe Online (Part 1 of 2)

The Internet serves as an incredible tool for educators and students to communicate, search for information, and learn. The wide availability of computers and Internet connections give everyone 24-hour access to information, credit and financial services, and shopping.

Unfortunately, there are people who exploit the Internet through their criminal activities and other harmful acts. Cybercriminals use creative measures to gain unauthorized access to your computer and then use that access to steal your identity, commit fraud, or even launch cyberattacks against others.

Staying safe online is no longer a given, but a necessary extracurricular activity. Here are nine security measures you can employ right away to protect yourself, your family, and your business. By following the recommended cyber security measures outlined here, you can limit the damage cybercriminals can do not just to your computer, but to everyone’s computer. However, keep in mind that there is no single cybersecurity measure or technological solution that will prevent your cybercrime. These recommended cyber security measures highlight that using a common-sense set of precautions that include Internet habits and technological solutions can make all the difference.

The National Cyber ​​Security Alliance recommends eight measures. To that, I have added an additional. They are practical steps, in no particular order, you can take to stay safe online and avoid becoming a victim of fraud, identity theft, or cybercrime.

1. Protect your children online. Implement parental control tools provided by some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and available for purchase as separate software packages. Remember: No program is a substitute for parental supervision. Also check your browser to see if it would allow you to set some parental controls. (Internet Explorer allows you to restrict or allow certain websites to be viewed on your computer, and you can protect these settings with a password. To find those options, click Tools on your menu bar, select Internet Options, choose the Content, and click the Enable button below Content Advisor).

2. Back up important files regularly. No system is completely secure. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them to a removable disk and store them in a safe place in a different building from your computer. If a different location is not practical, consider encryption software. Encryption software scrambles a message or file in a way that can only be reversed with a specific password. Also, make sure you have your original software startup disks on hand and accessible for use in the event of a system crash.

3. Protect your valuable personal and financial information. Do not open unsolicited or unknown email messages. If you receive an email or pop-up message asking for personal information, do not reply or click the link in the message. To avoid opening such messages, you can disable the “Preview Pane” functionality in email programs and you can set their default options to view opened emails as plain text to avoid hot links or pop-ups in messages. Most importantly, do not respond to requests for your personal or financial information.

If you believe that a company with which you have an account or placed an order may need such information, please contact that company directly in a way that you know is genuine. Never send your personal information by email because email is not a secure method of transmission.

4. Use strong passwords or strong authentication technology to help protect your personal information. To further increase the security of your online identity and help protect yourself from account hijacking, take advantage of the strongest authentication tools whenever they are available. This can take the form of two-factor authentication: combining a password or PIN number (something you know) with a token, smart card, or even a biometric device (something you have).

Stronger authentication can also come from a behind-the-scenes identity verification process, which uses various pieces of data to establish whether or not a user is genuine. Ask your bank, regular online retailers, and Internet Service Provider (ISP) if they offer stronger authentication tools for more secure transactions.

5. Know who you’re dealing with online. Every day, millions of computer users share files online, whether as email, documents, or photos. File sharing can give people access to a wealth of information, including music, games, and software. You download special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers running the same software. Millions of users could connect with each other through this software at the same time. Software is often free and easily accessible, but sharing files can have a number of risks.

(has) If you don’t check the proper settings, you could allow access not only to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your hard drive, such as your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos, or other personal information. documents.

(b)Also, you may unknowingly download pornography labeled as something else. Or you may download material that is protected by copyright laws, which means you may be breaking the law.

Therefore, downloading file sharing software is not recommended and could put your personal information and computer at risk. If you decide to use file sharing software, set it up very carefully. Please take the time to read the End User License Agreement to ensure that you are sharing files legally and that you understand the potential high risk of free downloads. For example, some license agreements include an agreement to allow spyware to be installed on your machine.

Although the Internet basically provides a positive and productive experience, cyberattacks against our privacy and personal security are reaching epidemic proportions. These attacks are happening in our own homes and businesses. Our own computers are being used as zombies to attack other people, businesses, and even our own nation. As an average Internet user, you may not be aware of these threats or have any idea of ​​the increasing risks you face when connecting to the Internet.

In an Internet Safety Awareness and Protection campaign, my mission is to bring critical awareness to individuals, families, and small business owners, and provide access to the necessary tools and ongoing expertise to protect your computer and help you stay protected.

I invite you to join the thousands of people who tested their computers, discovered that these threats are real, and took the necessary steps to protect themselves.

Now that you have become aware of these issues, I encourage you to share this vital information with your families, friends, and communities. Together, we can reach many millions of people and inform them about threats to their privacy and security, and help them get the protection they desperately need.

Remember: When you say “No!” to hackers and spyware, everyone wins! When you don’t, we all lose!© MMVII, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Educator and Internet Safety Advocate