How to stay safe on the Internet
The Internet has become an important tool that everyone uses in their daily lives. You could even say that it has become completely irreplaceable in many areas of human existence. From entertainment to work, the Internet truly has it all. However, few people are aware of the dangerous pitfalls of the Internet. Due to lack of awareness about what not to do on the internet, many individuals often get caught up in various scams. A Reddit user asked people, “Cybersecurity experts on Reddit, what should we do to stay safe on the internet?” And they delivered. Here are the 10 most interesting tips they had to share.
1. Think before you do anything questionable
Please read before clicking. Think twice before you click. Be aware of common threats. You yourself are the best antivirus. You are the weakest link in cybersecurity. u/reddit. What do you recommend as an actual antivirus? I need to buy one, but I’m not sure what to buy. u/CopperMeerkat20. Don’t waste your money. Windows Defender is sufficient. Additionally, you should download the free version of Malwarebytes (set it to never run in the background) and use it to run scans every week or so. And there’s no better defense against viruses, malware, and ransomware than a robust file backup regime. u/reddit
2. Elderly people should be especially careful
Seniors are much more susceptible to more malicious email scams, such as those telling you that you need to verify something on your Amazon or Paypal account. If you have any problems, it’s best to check by visiting her website in your browser. u/Rolling Trannies. As a young person, I gave my parents and grandparents some solid advice that I applied myself. If you receive a call or email saying there’s a problem with your account, computer, etc., go to your phone book or Google, whichever is easier for you, find the appropriate phone number, and call. . If you have a problem, you’ll probably have to call and discuss it anyway, and if you don’t have a problem, you’ll just be wasting a lot of time, or even more. u/Zumvault
3. Install an ad blocker
Use an ad blocker. I know a lot of sites make money that way, but it’s easier not to click on a giant fake download button when you can’t see it. u/MrSpace Carrot-R. I use something called “ad nauseum,” which blocks ads but also simulates clicks on ads so the site can make money. Of course, you can also blacklist/whitelist it and so on. Although this is not an “official” extension (i.e. available through your browser), the site provides installation instructions. u/Bread Creatures. We recommend using uBlock Origin from the Chrome Web Store. It’s open source. u/reddit
4. Rely on common sense
common sense. A big, ugly yellow download button that clearly doesn’t match your website’s theme is not a download button at all. u/Abubudadou. The goal, specifically, is to catch people stupid enough to be fooled in the first place. People who are stupid enough to fall for it are likely to fall for other attacks as well, and most likely don’t have antivirus software. u/PopplerJoe. I used a website for a while that had a fake download button that perfectly matched the real download button, but I grew tired of it and quickly found an alternative site. u/Zumvault
5. Keep your passwords safe
Use a password manager. (Last Pass, Keep Pass, Bitwarden, etc.). Think twice before you click. (Did you hover over the link to preview the URL? Is this a Nigerian prince?). Two-factor authentication is your friend. Keep it simple with one platform if possible. Tailor your ad/script blocker experience with browser add-ons and extensions. Added privacy benefits. Consider VPN options to protect your privacy. Malware/virus protection (Thankfully, the AV built into modern Windows is pretty robust; Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Spybot Search & Destroy, Sophos, to name a few). u/killfire 4.
6. Avoid reusing passwords
Don’t reuse your passwords and change them frequently. If one site is compromised, all sites are compromised if the account is associated with an email address. u/Comrade IX. If you have a Google Account, you need to save your password. Google also periodically reminds users to check the status of their password. One of the things I love about it is that sometimes it’s too busy. If you log in using a compromised account, Google will notify you to take action. u/its_the_other_guy. And don’t be too blatant with them. There’s a reason why dating sites are easy targets for hacking. Because people spew out tons of personal information about themselves there. Pet name, birthplace at time of graduation. The same details are used in the secret question. u/Duel_Loser
7. Beware of Chinese apps
There are many Chinese-made apps and mobile devices that you should be careful about. A good example is the XOS that comes with Infinix phones, which includes ads in the operating system. u/throw_away_afribull. Xiaomi/Mi collects personal data related to your real name (as stated in the terms and conditions, please read). WeChat’s servers are located in China. All your chats are Chinese. u/Duracell__Bunny
8. Do not download from suspicious sites
Do not download programs from untrusted sites. Use the app store if possible. Mac and Linux boxes are not immune to malware, so don’t treat them as such. Use a password manager if possible. Use HaveIBeenPwned to see if your personal information was stolen in a breach. Use two-factor authentication when possible. Avoid SMS-based 2FA. If you downloaded script files (e.g. .bat, .ps1, .py), try reading them before running them. If you can’t read, please refer to rule 1. Be careful and suspicious of what you click on. No, there probably isn’t a single guy in your area who looks like he’s a 36 year old model. u/520 disposable
9. Understand who you’re communicating with online
Be aware of who you are talking to online, the security level of what you are using to communicate, and be aware of your surroundings. As u/AdministrativeBag837 said, “You yourself are your best antivirus and your weakest link in cybersecurity.” For example, if you’re talking online with someone you’ve known for a long time, that’s fine. But if it’s not a true friendship, or you don’t know them, then distance yourself a little. I would set up a voice chat so I can hear the other person and make sure they are the age they say they are. If they hesitate and make false excuses, it is clear that they are not who they say they are. Or if it’s someone you know, make sure it’s that person. If they act or talk differently, someone may have hacked their account. I know it’s far-fetched, but this is a real issue so it’s better to be safe than sorry, right? I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need further explanation. thank you! u/reddit
10. Get your own modem and Wi-Fi router
First, prepare your own modem and Wi-Fi router. Don’t use the one provided by your cable company. If you’re a beginner, use Brave or Tor browsers. Too much to explain. But don’t click on random s*** or download random s***. For Chrome, use an ad blocker. You do not have access to your own modem/router. They can access their stuff remotely. If you own one yourself, access to the network stops at the router. You can easily prevent service providers from knowing that you have accessed them. For example, you can proxy through a remote server and access the internet through that box. My ISP then makes sure I only access this one server. Essentially a VPN. Own your own VPN for just $5 a month. Open the VPN in the Digital Ocean droplet. u/Bunsaw Bunchy
