The internet is used in multiple ways throughout the day including interacting with friends and family, working, going to school, and shopping. Unfortunately, there are things that occur online that aren’t always safe, such as hacking and identity theft. If you’re a parent, then you probably know about many of the dangers that can be online for children. However, there are also things that you need to be aware of as an adult that can sometimes put you at risk every time you go online. Some of the things to look out for include social media posts that could get you in trouble, someone stealing your financial information, and cyberbullying. There are some things that you can keep in mind that can help to keep you and other adults safe.
Posting
Using social media sites can be a way that you can keep in touch with friends who you might not see all the time and even family members who might not live in your town. You might not think much of pictures that you share on your page or some of your statements. However, some of those details could result in losing your job, losing people you love, and other issues that arise in your life because of one simple post. Look at all of the details of what you post before you click submit to make sure that it’s something that you want others to see instead of something that you would be ashamed of at a later time.
Downloading
Most of us are fond of downloading content from the internet. It can be in the form of using platforms like thenewpiratebay to download movies, music, eBooks, games, software and more. It is important to remember that when you are downloading, you need to look and verify the credentials of the file you are after. You also need to make sure that you are downloading files from a credible and reputable platform that does is safe and secure. If you are not careful, you can end up downloading harmful files which can cause damage. They can steal your personal information or install harmful malware in your computer system.
Personal Details
Keep all of your personal information as secure as possible. Only enter details on websites that have a lock symbol in the search bar. Never save any personal information when it’s entered as this could be a way for others to steal your identity. If you share personal information on social media pages, then make sure it’s set to private so that no one else can see those details, such as your birthday or your phone number.
Passwords
Try to change your passwords every few months. You can call your internet provider to assist you to change or update your internet password if you don’t know how. When you make a new password, it should be a combination of letters and numbers that you’ll remember but that would be hard for someone else to figure out. Try to add a few symbols as well to make it even more difficult. If someone states that they’ve received an odd message from you or that there are other details that are being shared that you know that you didn’t share, then you might want to change your passwords as this could mean that someone has stolen your information.
Security
You want to make sure all of the internet connections in your home are secure. In most instances, the router that you use has a password so that only you can connect to it when you access the internet. If you happen to use the internet in a public location, you want to make sure not to enter personal information as the system usually isn’t protected since anyone can use the service. There are programs available that you can download to block others from accessing your internet when you’re at home. There are also programs to block viruses and malware from invading your devices so that you can safely search the internet. If you happen to receive odd emails or messages, then consider running a virus scan as this could be someone who is trying to steal your information.
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