The Geek's Guide To Surfing The Web Safely

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These days, safety and security is a hot topic when it comes to using the Internet. Recently, there have been some major cyber attacks on various online networks and their users, so there is no wonder why so many people are now focused on improving their online security.

Many people have a basic knowledge of how they can surf the web without putting their personal information and data at risk. But is this basic knowledge really effective anymore? Some experts aren’t so sure. Are you a bit of a novice web user and want to improve your whole knowledge of the Internet to browse it much more safely? The following geek’s guide should be a great place to get started.

Always Update Your Antivirus Software

At the very least, you should have an up-to-date software on your laptop or computer that protects your system against viruses and malware. There are lots of free programs and software, but you will find that buying one will leave you better protected. Most of this type of software also gives you the chance to do full system scans to check for any hidden viruses that are dormant in your computer. You will often get notifications saying that the program or software needs updating - it is critical that you do so! Harmful viruses and malware are continually getting more and more sophisticated and are outsmarting antivirus software. Only by updating can you keep one step ahead!

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Think Before You Click

There are millions of links on websites that will lead you to various places on the Internet. Most of these will be completely safe sites to click through to, but there will also be a minority that is littered with bugs that could affect your computer. At the very worst, they might also pass on a virus to your device or computer. So, it’s always a good idea to think before you click. If the URL in the link seems a bit suspicious, do not click it. Some sites are extremely prone to spyware too, so it is a good idea to limit your time on them. These high-risk sites include adult websites and file-sharing platforms.

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Surf Incognito

Did you know that people can spy on you when you are using certain websites? I may have touched on that slightly in the point above, but allow me to explain it further now. Some websites and government track web users so that they can harvest their information and use it for their own benefit. Obviously, there is no way a surfer can know if they are being tracked. The best way to beat this is by surfing incognito. Most web browsers will give you the opportunity to do this and hide your identity and location. But a much more effective way to escape the trackers is to use a VPN. This is a great starting point to learn more about VPNs and their benefits. Another advantage of using a VPN is that you can make it look like you are using the country in a completely different country - that’s great for unlocking extra movies on Netflix and other location-specific streaming services!

Be A Smart Shopper

There are some things you should look out for on an online shop. They will help you figure out whether it is safe or not. Firstly, take a look at the URL in the address bar. Does it start with “https”? If not, and it only says “http”, then you should do your shopping elsewhere. That extra “s” shows that the site has been verified as being secure. There should also be a padlock icon next to the URL in the address bar. Again, this is a sign that the site has been verified. It is also worth using a credit card rather than a debit card when you are shopping online. That’s because credit cards are much more likely to reimburse you against fraudulent debt.

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Think Of Hard-To-Crack Passwords

Don’t just stick to the usual “password” or “12345” when you need to think of a new password for an online account. These are way too easy for hackers to hack. Ideally, you need a password that is made up of letters of different cases, numbers, and special symbols. Try not to spell out a regular word either. It is also worth pointing out that you shouldn’t use the same password for all of your online accounts - once someone gets their hands on it, they will be able to let themselves into all of your online accounts!