Keep your information, online interactions and activities safe – use these online safety tips to enhance your privacy and security online.
Online Safety – Don’t use public Wi-Fi
Using a public Wi-Fi network at the park, café, or shopping centre can be convenient but risky. Such networks aren’t as secure as networks at the office or home. In busy areas, hackers could also set up fake public Wi-Fi networks, which if connected to, could steal your data and monitor any information you send while connected. If you simply have to use public Wi-Fi, avoid using the connection for sensitive work, like a banking transaction.
Online Safety – Don’t download from unknown sources
Think twice before downloading unlicensed software, pirated programs, or downloads from untrustworthy websites and links. Such downloads may carry malware like viruses, Trojan horses, or spyware like a keylogger that tracks your typing. Run a virus scan if you suspect you have malware on your system.
Online Safety – Don’t open suspicious attachments
Suspicious attachments can automatically take you to malicious websites or carry malware like a virus or ransomware. Yet, some of us still do it because we’re curious or because we’re anticipating something in our inbox. Taking the risk is just not worth it. A bad attachment can impact your personal security and your family’s safety, and even hurt your organization.
Online Safety – Don’t become a victim to phishing
Phishing attacks are a type of online fraud where hackers send fraudulent emails, texts, and social media messages. They do this in an attempt to deceive people into providing confidential data such as passwords, credit card numbers, or bank account information, or download malware such as ransomware. These attacks are becoming more frequent against both individuals and organizations.
If you see a suspicious email or website, do not respond to the message, or click any links. Instead, contact the company directly to confirm that the communication is legitimate. Never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited communication, even if it appears legitimate.
Online Safety – Don’t hand out your personal information
We’re so comfortable with the Internet that we don’t hesitate to share personal information on message boards or social media platforms with the public. Oversharing confidential information online can make you more susceptible to an account breach. Hackers can piece together pieces of information on public forums to design a more compelling phishing attack. For instance, your account could be hacked if you share information on Facebook about your pets that matches one of your account’s secret answers.
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