Internet Safety – 10 Safety rules to keep you Safe Online.

It’s an interconnected world, with all of us linked to the mighty World Wide Web. Today, sending an image or connecting to long-lost friends isn’t a task anymore. With just a few clicks on any search engine we can find solutions to toughest of the questions. The Internet has become a necessity today, search engine and social connectivity is the need of the hour. And so is the need to know and learn about Internet Safety.

How to be Safe Online?

Paying utility bills was never this easy before, no more long queues or waiting for the token numbers. Ordering food, booking travel tickets, shopping, finding real-estate solutions, everything is just a click away.

Companies and brands like Google, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp have just made life easy and a lot more entertaining. Distance in terms of area, has nothing to do with the Internet, all we need is a nice running Internet connection on a Phone Handset or a WiFi connectivity. But, as every coin has two sides so is our dear Technology. If you are a news buff like me – cybersecurity is something that would be doing rounds in your head. Two superpower countries are in of tussle on alleged Cyber Attacks on one another. This also, raises an alarm in my cautions – “How Safe Are We – ONLINE?“

Internet Safety – Be Alert, Know what you are doing

Well, there is no direct justification for this statement – It’s a positive move to connect the world, globalized trade, financial deals, and many more. However, at the same time, everyone connected to it becomes vulnerable to malware virus programs or in layman’s terms Hacked. If shoplifting is a crime, so is plagiarism – which means stealing someone else’s creative work or property, without their permission.

There are many instances of innocent people falling prey to hacking by fraudsters; who catch them unawares or gauge loopholes in technology. Take an example of – banking details; a small mistake of sharing Banking Details could result in losing all of our hard-earned money. However, at the same time – Online banking has made life easier and hassle-free.

Social Networking –

One of the biggest achievements of Technology; is social media networking. It is so easy to connect with like-minded people or connect to the wide world of the Internet. However, the flaws of social networking are never hidden from anyone. Everyone who is connected to social networking sites is vulnerable to cyber attacks on their identity. Cyber Bullying, Identity theft, or Impersonation, are some of the most common known Online Crimes. To be safe online, you need to know every aspect of the technology or platform you are using.

I am not even counting easy access to pornographic or abusive material available for free over the internet.

How to be Safe Online – Internet Safety

Listing some of the Internet safety measures to keep you Safe Online –

• Anti Virus Protection – Install a good Anti-Virus program to keep you safe from unknown cyber-attacks.
• Keep STRONG Passwords & change them frequently. Never keep passwords that would be too easy to guess – like birth dates, family names, etc.
• Two-Factor Authentication – Have you heard of these; Yes, they are very useful when you have multiple devices to connect with. Set up Two Factor Authentication – it keeps you safe and alert of any unknown login to your profile.
• Don’t click on random links – Be selective in clicking, many virus attacks are shared using social networking as a platform to spread. Use your discretion to understand if the link comes from a secured source or not. Use only authentic sources to surf the internet.
• Secure your Profile – Make sure you have all backup details saved to regain access to your account at the time of the hacker’s attack.
• Think before you Share – Do you share all your day’s routine on social media? If the answer is YES; think before you do that. Social Networking sites work on open platforms, and your details are vulnerable.
• Picture of YOU – Sharing your images with the world, make sure you use a ‘watermark’ or copyright the images/creatives. Any use without your knowledge & permission is liable and termed as an offense. Take the help of the Law if you feel threatened.
• Spend some time on reading Legal Terms and policies available online, I know this is quite irritating to read such long documents. Advisable to read and understand those policies well.
• Report – feel free to report a theft to social networking help center or legal department, with correct details and links.
• Online shopping buff, make sure you use ONLY secured e-commerce sites.

Be Safe Online

BE SAFE – our safety is in our own HANDS, hence be selective, cautions and responsible. Lets make the Internet a safer and a clean place for all. Internet safety is possible, only if we act responsibly. Do you have any more ideas on Internet safety? If yes, please share with us in the comments below.

Copyright Notice

@gleefulblogger Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger) with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.