You’ve seen all the warnings, but exactly why is it important to stay safe online? Is the internet that dangerous of a place? The simple answer is yes. There are many different threats online, and even the most seasoned web user can fall victim to many of them. No matter how smart you think you are, hackers and cybercriminals constantly find new ways to win, and it can be costly.
This article highlights some of the many reasons it is essential to stay safe online. But the truth is, there are far more reasons than can be listed in a blog post. So we’ve selected some of the most important ones – keep reading to find out what they are.
To protect your computer
Computers are expensive and not something many of us would like to replace often. Unfortunately, some online threats are so harmful that they can essentially destroy your hardware and make your device unusable. Thankfully, this is rare, but not the only reason you should work hard to protect your computer.
Software problems are an extremely common symptom of viruses, one of the biggest online threats. If you don’t stay safe online and protect your computer, you could be forced to reset everything and lose all of your files. This could mean lost work and sentimental pictures and videos. Taking the measures to avoid malware and viruses will avoid this happening, and it’s relatively simple to do. Just avoid any suspicious websites, downloads, or emails, and install a good antivirus onto your device.
To prevent fraud
Most identify thefts or fraud occur online because many of us don’t realize just how available our information is if we don’t protect it. A cybercriminal can find out a lot about you from just your social media profile, but a more advanced one can also figure out predictable passwords and access sensitive information.
Online fraud can include taking out loans and credit cards, impersonating, or selling your personal and financial information to third parties. But, again, some pretty simple tools and due diligence can prevent these things from happening. Remember to use secure passwords that can’t be easily guessed, and we also recommend installing an ad blocker on your browser.
Exposure to sensitive content
It’s not just your children that you should be worried about when it comes to accessing sensitive content. Unfortunately, the internet can be a minefield of offensive content, some of which finds its way onto social media channels and otherwise innocent places.
Without going into too much detail, some of this content can be traumatic. Graphic images and shocking viral videos are just two of the things that you could be unwillingly exposed to, and it’s a terrible experience. Setting content filters and only connecting with people you know and trust is a good way to avoid sensitive content.
Your history follows you
We’re only human, and we all make mistakes. The issue with the internet, and social media, is that even if you delete something, it might not be the end of it. You’ve heard the stories of people being fired from their jobs over a tweet from a decade ago. You’ve also heard of people being rejected at university because of their Facebook activity.
The moral of the story here is that you can protect your reputation and future by thinking carefully about what you post and where you post it. Even if you regret something and delete it, screenshots and Google history can mean it exists forever.
To avoid being scammed
There are so many scams online that staying safe and being vigilant is required at all times. Unlike fraud, these people don’t steal your financial information or use your credit card; they convince you to purchase yourself. Dating site scams are a prime example of this, where people are specifically targeted and asked to send money.
Another example of a scam is phishing emails. When you receive a message from the likes of PayPal or eBay, you should check the email address. If you’re unsure, contact the company directly to check. Never engage with an email or contact you aren’t sure is an official representative of the company – it’s probably a scam and could cost you a lot of money.
Online safety can impact personal safety
Any decent cybercriminal can find out where you live and work if you’re not careful. This means that an abusive Facebook message in your direction could become something more. Instead of online trolling, you could become a victim of real-life stalking. It’s rare, but it has happened.
So it’s best to avoid having any of your personal information visible to the public or giving online trolls any opportunity to jeopardize your personal safety. Staying anonymous while using the internet is one of the ways to guarantee your online security. So avoid giving anybody your information, whether that be on social media, dating sites, or anywhere else.
Online safety tips
Want to avoid any of these things happening to you? There are some simple things that you can do to prevent any risks of using the internet. We recommend that you follow these tips:
- Install antivirus on every device
- Use strong passwords on every occasion (we suggest a password manager)
- Do not share any personal information with anybody you do not know
- Set content filters to avoid sensitive content, particularly for children
- Delete spammy or phishing emails without downloading any files
- Report any suspicious or offensive activity to the social media platform that you’re using
Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids.
I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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