More than 5.45 billion people use the internet around the world. With so much data being generated, staying safe online has never been more important. Just as there is a range of technology to keep you secure at home, there are several steps you can take to ensure your online presence is as secure as possible.
1. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
An effective way of not drawing attention to yourself online is by using a VPN. This enables you to stop websites from collating information about you. This can be particularly important when it comes to preventing things such as identity theft, spam and virus attacks.
A VPN works by connecting to a web server that gives others the impression that you are somewhere else. It is often used by bloggers, for example, who do not want their home address to be easily identified. With about 31% of global internet users subscribing to a VPN, it is a particularly popular option when it comes to being safe online.
You may also be interested in the best VPN services.
2. Use a Password Manager
It goes without saying that having strong passwords is key to keeping your information safe online. The best way to stay secure when it comes to passwords is to ensure that you never use the same password for more than one account.
Remembering all your different passwords is obviously a challenge to say the least; this is what makes password managers particularly useful. A password manager creates a unique password for every account you have, removing the need for you to come up with different, strong passwords and remember them.
3. Stay on top of Phishing emails
Phishing is a huge threat to online security, with 3.4 billion phishing emails sent daily. These are emails from people posing as a personal contact or a known authority. The email will contain a malicious link or attachment, which the person behind the email wants you to open or click on in order to reveal personal information and banking details.
Give yourself the best chance of staying safe by looking out for giveaway clues, such as typos and the language used: does this sound like the person claiming to be sending the email? Having automatic security updates installed on your devices will also help limit any phishing emails from getting to your inbox.
4. Stay Savvy with IT Security
The amount of information available online makes security a big priority in the world of technology. Keep yourself as secure as possible by following good practice. Keep passwords unique, look out for suspicious messages, and make sure you keep your antivirus up-to-date on all your devices.
