What are the threats to online safety?
In today's world, it is difficult to imagine functioning without access to the web. We use the Internet to study, work, communicate or entertain ourselves. However, it is important to be aware that when using the internet, there are various traps, which can lead to serious consequences.
A cybercriminal can launch an attack on your computer or smartphone. Various methods are used, for example:
- phishing, which involves hackers impersonating trusted individuals or institutions to steal personal data;
- spyware, which is spyware that tracks a user's online activity to gain access to protected resources;
- DDoS, which leads to a device being locked as a result of a huge number of requests being sent to it at any one time - this is done by so-called zombie computers, i.e. hardware over which hackers have taken control.
When using the network, you should also beware of spam. Includes unsolicited messages and material, usually of an advertising nature, which may contain links to unsafe sites.
Why is it important to follow online safety rules?
It is important to be safe online, as this will protect you from serious consequences. An example is data leakage, which may lead to your name, address, date of birth or PESEL number being scammed by unauthorised persons. This can lead to theft of your identity and its use by criminals for example:
- to take money out of your account;
- the taking of credit on your details by another person.
Always be cautious online, as hacking into your laptop or phone can trigger not only the theft of confidential data, but also the blocking access to important files and often even disabling the hardware or the website completely. If you run a business, this can severely damage your image in the eyes of contractors. Hacker activity can also make it considerably more difficult to use the network, for example as a result of the display of intrusive advertising.
Read also: Data leakage in your business - what can you do?
How to be safe online? Basic principles
Don't trust people you meet online
You are never able to guess who is really hiding on the other side. Cyber criminals seek to gain your trust through a variety of methods, including social engineering. It is often difficult to defend against them, but it is always worth acting prudently.
Don't make decisions on the spur of the moment, But give yourself time to think. This is important when the sender of the message is urging you to:
- to carry out a transfer allegedly to prevent the theft of funds from a bank account;
- paying an invoice for a product or service that you did not actually buy;
- contact when you are allegedly suspected of a crime;
- a reaction on your part to blackmail, for example, for going public about your access to adult websites.
In such situations umake sure the notification comes from a trusted institution, for example your bank. You can do this via a helpline.
Use the internet sensibly and rationally
Requirements on safe use of the web include exercising extreme caution when, for example, on email you receive strange messages:
- from abroad addresses, that you have never contacted;
- written in incorrect Polish.
Carefully read the text of such messages several times before responding to them. If you are unsure of their credibility, you can seek help online, where users often inform each other of scam attempts. You should also be concerned about alleged data verification on a site you have never used. Try not to log in at all to sites whose authenticity you are unsure of.
Whenever you have suspicions that you are being contacted by a scammer, it is important to respond appropriately. Do not open links and attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware, such as spyware. In addition only use secure payment systems. When you sell an item online and the user who bought it wants to share a payment gateway link with you, do not click on it, as it is usually a scam.
Keep your loved ones safe
People who are new to the Internet are particularly vulnerable to having their computer access blocked or having their data stolen. This applies to children, as well as many senior citizens. Try to talk to them about safe use of the internet, as well as the dangers that are present and how to deal with them. Help them set up secure passwords for different sites and install anti-virus and other security software. With children, it is ideal to parental controls.
What solutions will ensure network security?
You can protect yourself in various ways when using the network. We will describe the most important of these below.
Set strong passwords for websites
In order to increase your online security, you must ensure that you use strong passwords. It is a good idea to set them up for each website and application separately and to use two-factor authentication. An excellent option is the U2F key, which will allow you to log in with a password and a reader that looks like a memory stick.
Each password should include upper and lower case letters, as well as numbers and symbols. Do not include your name or date of birth in it and do not give it to other people. To avoid forgetting individual passwords, save them in a special manager.
Use anti-virus software
Your online activity can be adequately protected when you download an antivirus. Programme:
- monitors network traffic and detects cyber threats and blocks dangerous websites;
- scans hardware and installed applications for the presence of viruses;
- detects system security gaps.
Some antiviruses, mainly paid-for ones, also offer additional functions. These include cache cleaning or cloud data backup.
See our antivirus ranking: Free antivirus software - which one to choose?
Try to encrypt internet communications
When using the Internet, it is sometimes useful to use VPN, This is a virtual private network. It will allow you to encrypt the data you are transferring and mask the IP address of your device. Enabling a VPN is particularly important if you use public networks available in shopping malls, for example, which can easily be accessed by cybercriminals.
The greatest level of data security when using web browsers will be provided by local area networks. They are ideal for both a smaller and a large company. As well as enhancing cyber security, they will significantly improve communication and work.
Not sure if the website you have accessed is secure? Check whether the owner or hosting provider has purchased the SSL certificate. This is evidenced by padlock symbol in green, which is located next to the address bar. The certificate protects internet communications from interception by unauthorised users.
Use UTM
If you need exceptionally strong protection when using the network, choose UTM. It is a firewall that integrates all functionalities responsible for data security. Its supplier will provide:
- control of network traffic and management of access to resources located on the Internet;
- filtering of content, applications and messengers;
- protection against cyber threats, including phishing or DDoS;
- VPN access.
UTM also includes features to report on security incidents and create company security policies.
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