The internet is not the safest place to be, and if you’re not cautious enough, you’re likely to find yourself on the losing end as you might get exposed to a variety of risks, including data breaches, scamming, and more.
However, it doesn’t always mean that it’s a total danger when surfing.
In the article below, we shall explore the top 5 safe internet tips that beginners should follow when surfing.
Choose your Browser Carefully
The first step of protecting your online safety starts by selecting the right type of browser.
Generally, some browsers are reputed for being “safe.” Here, safe not in the sense that they will protect your data or prevent any hardcore intrusion, but they’ll protect you against most phishing contents and malware.
Some of the best and safest browsers that you might want to consider include Mozilla, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome.
While there is a score of web browsers out there, these are renowned for having your security as a priority.
Customize your Security Settings
Once you’ve selected a browser, the next crucial step is customizing it through its settings menu or preferences.
There’re numerous measures that you can carry out to improve the overall safety of your browser, though the steps will considerably vary between the browsers.
Some of the measures include shutting off the “autofill” feature so that your system doesn’t automatically store data and prevent outsiders from mining your data.
You can also consider turning off the “cookies” to prevent websites and marketers from tracking your surfing history, and the same case applies to JavaScript or even Plugins.
You can even consider turning on “block pop-up windows,” and this should prevent the pesky ads from popping up over the website you’re surfing.
Basically, there’s a lot that you can do to limit your exposure, but understand that some of the measures might be quite inconveniencing.
Hide your IP with VPN
You can never talk about online privacy and security without mentioning VPN.
Sure, while having a secure browser or even a password manager will offer some form of security, having a VPN, or rather Virtual Private Network installed in your browsing system, will take your online safety a notch higher.
A VPN creates a private network over your server, thus hiding where you’re connecting to the net, and this helps to keep you anonymous.
Above all, VPN usually encrypts the data getting relayed over the server, meaning that even if there’s a data breach, hackers can’t decipher the contents of your message.
Encrypting your network connection is particularly handy if you’re working on an insecure Wi-Fi network such as those in public spaces such as airports or restaurants.
Having a VPN will mask your identity while surfing, and this means that your provider can’t track your online activity.
However, there’s some hassle with using a VPN, with some users claiming that it slows down their internet experience. Sure, there might be some truth to this extent, but it all depends on your choice of VPN- for instance, Surfshark claims to maintain great speeds, and users are not inconvenienced with slower speeds of traffic, hopping from one point to the other.
Update your Operating System Regularly
Another simple yet effective way of promoting online privacy is by updating your operating system promptly.
Ensure that your system is always up to date with the latest upgrade and patches because of all too often the patched created address the newfound security flaw in your system and will quickly race to combat the threats.
Download from Official Stores Only
While we all love to get movies, apps, or games for free by downloading them on torrent sites, this process usually jeopardizes our online safety.
Think about it, why and how do these websites get all the premium stuff for free?
While there’re users who like distributing free stuff, there’re equally shady dealers who release apps, alongside an embedded backdoor, and the moment you run the software, you grant them access to your system.
So, you may want to steer away for the file-sharing sites as well as torrenting sites, and instead, use the official avenues to get your apps or movies.
Conclusion
We’ve provided you with a list of the top 5 safety tips for beginners, and hopefully, if you implement the, you should be free from the threat of online fraud and maintain your privacy.
