4 Easy Ways to Boost Your Web-Surfing Security

The internet has become more of a necessity than a luxury. With social networks becoming more popular and the usage of the internet becoming more widespread, it’s important to make sure that you’re secure online.

Here are 4 easy ways you can protect yourself online.

 

#1) Don’t Overshare

When you’re spending lots of time on your favorite social networks, it can be tempting to post lots of personal information, including your location and your full name. But sharing those kinds of things can really compromise your privacy!

Check out the privacy settings for your online profiles and make sure that your personal information is not available to the public.

 

#2) Watch Out For Scammers

Have you ever received an email from a random person stating that you were an heir set to receive a huge fortune?

Or maybe you’ve received an email from someone you don’t know that included a sob story and a desperate plea for financial help.

Either way, these types of emails are scams – the scammers use your sympathy or excitement against you, get your credit card information, and steal your money or your identity.

Make sure that you are careful about which emails you take seriously and respond to. Remember – pretty much anyone can email you. Make sure you use discretion so you can keep your money and information secure.

 

#3) Protect With Passwords

Many popular websites require you to register, create a password, and log in to gain full access. While some people see this as an inconvenience, it’s truly a good way to keep your data secure and private.

Be sure that, when you create a password, you make it one that’s difficult to guess. Use varied capitalization, use numbers, and try not to use a dictionary word. That way, you can feel confident that your accounts are safe from hackers.

 

#4) Safe Shopping

It’s important to follow best safety practices when you’re shopping online. After all, you’re likely using your credit or debit card. You don’t want that information to get into the wrong hands! Make sure that you never enter your credit card on a page that is not encrypted. When a page is encrypted, the web address will begin with “https” instead of “http.”

Also, make sure you never enter your social security number. No seller should ever need that information – if they do, it’s likely that they’re trying to scam you

Another good practice is to check out the seller’s reviews and policies. You can shop a lot more confidently if you know other people have had a good experience purchasing from the seller.

 

Why stop there? It’s good to make sure you’re secure when you’re casually using the internet, but it’s also important to make sure that your company networks are secure. I mean, you could lose your money, your clients, or even your business if a hacker accessed and used your data!

Here at Cognoscape, we’ve got the security solutions you need to gain peace of mind and keep your critical information safe. Contact us today, and let’s work together to prevent security breaches.