HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY

Your privacy while you browse the internet is not something to joke with, it is serious business and what you should pay particular attention to. The fact that the internet has virtually become an expedient resource for us all, has made it quite easy for us to let down our guard while surfing the web.

Sadly, many of us are too nonchalant with our management of personal information and activities online. This leaves us in a situation of vulnerability to invasion of privacy and possible identity theft. In light of this, we have collated a few sense tips to help you practice safe browsing and ensure your overall online safety.

Delete or Clear Tracking Cookies

Tracking cookies or simply cookies are text files that your browser saves while you are browsing the internet. They are basically used to personalize your experience while you are on the internet. They work in conjunction with your IP address to give you a richer and more customized experience.

Anything personal, including credit card details, e-mail addresses can be saved into cookies. If these cookies are not sent over HTTPS (a secure version of the HTTP), they can easily be accessed by anyone on that same network. So be sure to delete cookies in your browser settings once you’re done surfing the net.

Protect Your Computer and Mobile Devices

Ensuring the safety of your devices from malicious content on the internet is quite easy. With simple precautions like setting up a firewall, ensuring all software programs are up to date and using an effective anti-virus program, you are good to go. You should also be in the know of how to scan your computer for a virus check so that you can be rest assured that nothing unsafe is lurking in the corners of your device.

Clean Up Your Search History

Many search engines keep tabs on your searches so they can target ads to suit you (this is achieved using cookies as earlier mentioned). Clear your search history and cookies to rid yourself of the possibility of a safety compromise. You could also switch to a search engine that doesn’t track any of your personal data. A very good example of this is DuckDuckGo.

Don’t Fall for Scams

Legitimate businesses will not make calls or send you mails requesting for your personal details so be on guard. Rule number one of scams - If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Be Careful What You Share Online

This has to be the most logical of all the tips. It cannot be overemphasized. If you won’t be able to share a piece of information real life, then you probably shouldn't share it online. Keep your passwords, usernames and phone number to yourself. You should also have disposable e-mails for all unofficial registrations you might need to do online.

Avoid Using Unsecure Wi-Fi Connections

Ensure you use only secure Wi-Fi connections because there’s no telling who’s watching the internet traffic. If you must use one, never convey private information over such a network or endeavor to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to mask your operations online.

We hope this few tips have been useful to you and will help you attain some level of online safety. And because you can’t be too safe on the internet, we at No Risk Domain are here to secure you with our tools. Happy surfing.

ONLINE SECURITY AND PRIVACY TIPS

The internet has become an enormous part of our everyday lives. It is the largest hub for information and right now, we can hardly imagine life without the internet. But as useful and informative the web can be, it can also be dangerous and pose security threats if not properly utilized. By making use of the internet in a safe manner, we can ensure adequate protection of information and identities to a reasonable extent.

Below is a list of practices that can be carried out to ensure online safety while you surf the net.

KEEP YOUR SECURITY SYSTEMS UP TO DATE

Ensure all of your devices that are connected to the internet have updated operating systems, apps and anti-virus software. You're exposed to many viruses, malware and spyware whenever you surf the net, so it is important that you have the latest protection.

IMPROVE YOUR PASSWORDS

Be sure you have multiple passwords for different services. Password managers can help you keep track of your various passwords. In some cases, some even help you generate complex passwords that will ensure the safety of your data from theft. Also, never share your passwords with anybody.

BE WARY OF STRANGE EMAILS

Never respond to emails claiming to be from your bank or other establishment requesting your bank details. These mails are usually phishing attempts and no bank will ever approach you in this way to request your personal detail. You should also be wary of attachments that accompany such mails.

USE PUBLIC WI-FI WITH CAUTION

Public Wi-Fi connections are sure convenient, however, they put you at risk of having personal often sensitive data stolen. Networks like these are oftentimes poorly protected, this makes it easy for hackers and cybercriminals to intercept your activities online and steal all they want like your credit card details and passwords.

SECURE YOUR ACTIVITIES WITH A VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are the most reliable ways to ensure your online safety and privacy. They transfer data via encrypted tunnels and hide your IP address so no one can see what you are doing online. Even if anybody finds out and intercepts whatever you are doing, the information within will be scrambled and unreadable.

CLEAR YOUR COOKIES REGULARLY

Cookies are small text files that are kept on your computer and phones. They store minute bits of information concerning your personal activity in connection with a particular website. Cookies are impossible to bypass if you want to use sites like Twitter and Facebook where log-in is a prerequisite. What you can do alternatively is to ensure you clear your cookies regularly making less easy to track your online habits.

REVIEW ACCESS GRANTED TO MOBILE APPS

A lot of mobile apps require certain sets of permissions to function optimally. Some apps however become too demanding in that regard. You should review these permissions as some can be revoked without any true consequence on the functionality of the app. How else would you explain a gaming app wanting to access your contacts?

We hope these tips have been helpful to you and will guide you going forward as you explore more of the internet with a more enlightened approach and greater scrutiny. Don’t forget to verify websites on No Risk Domain, if you are in doubt.

Happy Surfing!