How to surf the net safely #makeITsafePH
The internet has made information more accessible but with it comes risks. Having been victimized by viruses and malware, I try my best to stay safe while surfing the net by following these guidelines.
Hackers now target social media, so I try not to click on links to unverified websites. For example, if a news report is not from credible media companies like ABS-CBN, Rappler, CNN, GMA Network, The New York Times, I don't click on it. Instead, I look for the story in these credible sites.
So, the next time you are tempted to find your personality type, future, how you would look like if you were a male or female, or test your IQ by clicking on those apps on Facebook, think again.
Websites have cookies that store information about the websites we visit. What we can do is clear them at the end of the day.
Fake emails engage in phishing or fishing for a person's personal information by asking him/her to visit a website that installs malicious software on the computer.
When I receive such emails (this happens in my Yahoo email address, not Gmail), I do not click on the attachment nor reply to the sender. Even if the subject line "You Won the Lottery" or "Your Payment is Ready" is tempting.
There's Kiddie.com from Google or Wacky Safe from Microsoft. The latter is an app that can be used for PC and Android phones.
Are your children chatting with sexual predators? There are many sexual predators online who would grab at the chance to encourage children to engage in sexual acts or fall victims to child trafficking.
They usually contact these kids through chat rooms, private messaging through Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and other social media platforms.
Some warning signs of when your kid is up to something are when he/she changes the computer screen when you enter the room, spends so much time online especially in the evening, and becomes suddenly withdrawn or secretive.
Before giving your child a gadget, explain the risks of going online with them. Ideally, children should be given gadgets when they are 12 years old.
I'm happy to note that many companies are joining the ranks of those who wish to secure our use of cyberspace. One of them is Globe Telecom.
Globe Telecom takes it upon itself to ensure that society as a whole remains safe from numerous threats facing everyone using the internet. This concern gave birth to the #makeITsafePH campaign under its CyberPinoy cyber wellness program. The campaign covers all stakeholders such as big corporations, small and medium-scale enterprises, government agencies, colleges and universities, and the general public./
Installing an anti-virus program
Windows Defender continuously runs in the background when I work and it detects unwanted pests and gives me the option to quarantine and remove them. It is regularly updated with the latest virus and malware information.Two-factor authentication
This refers to an extra layer of security on top of one's username and password. It could be a number or a secret answer to a question.Avoid websites that are not secure
I use Chrome and thus, receive an alert if the website is secure or not secure. This can be found before the URL of the website in the upper left area of one's browser. Once I see the site as not secure, I do not proceed.Hackers now target social media, so I try not to click on links to unverified websites. For example, if a news report is not from credible media companies like ABS-CBN, Rappler, CNN, GMA Network, The New York Times, I don't click on it. Instead, I look for the story in these credible sites.
Turn off location settings, GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth
Turning on one's location settings, GPS, Wifi and Bluetooth is an invitation for security risks. Having one's Bluetooth on all the time can pose security risks. Hackers can use your phone to send text messages to someone else without your knowledge. A former colleague showed me this one time. Using his phone, he sent a message to another colleague and it showed that the message came from me! Creepy.Not using social accounts to log in to other websites or apps
Early this year, it was alleged that Cambridge Analytica used a psychology quiz app to steal information from about 87 million Facebook users.So, the next time you are tempted to find your personality type, future, how you would look like if you were a male or female, or test your IQ by clicking on those apps on Facebook, think again.
Careful with the cookies
Ever wondered why a certain ad keeps following you around on the net even after you have already left that featured ad's website? That's because of the cookies.Websites have cookies that store information about the websites we visit. What we can do is clear them at the end of the day.
Choose email clients with a built-in anti-virus software
This is what I love about using Gmail and rely on Google drive for file storage. They use Avast, anti-virus software that automatically scans files.Protection against phishing
Have you ever received an email from a so-called bank or an e-commerce platform? As standard practice, these legitimate companies do not ask for one's private information via email.Fake emails engage in phishing or fishing for a person's personal information by asking him/her to visit a website that installs malicious software on the computer.
When I receive such emails (this happens in my Yahoo email address, not Gmail), I do not click on the attachment nor reply to the sender. Even if the subject line "You Won the Lottery" or "Your Payment is Ready" is tempting.
Ensure that kids are using the internet safely
Are your children surfing websites that are not appropriate for their age? Encourage them to use kid-friendly search engines that have safe filters.There's Kiddie.com from Google or Wacky Safe from Microsoft. The latter is an app that can be used for PC and Android phones.
Are your children chatting with sexual predators? There are many sexual predators online who would grab at the chance to encourage children to engage in sexual acts or fall victims to child trafficking.
They usually contact these kids through chat rooms, private messaging through Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and other social media platforms.
Some warning signs of when your kid is up to something are when he/she changes the computer screen when you enter the room, spends so much time online especially in the evening, and becomes suddenly withdrawn or secretive.
Before giving your child a gadget, explain the risks of going online with them. Ideally, children should be given gadgets when they are 12 years old.
Statistics
HootSuite, a US-based social media management platform, has released its “Digital in 2018” report of social media and digital trends around the world. The report revealed that the Philippines now has 67 million Internet users, with all of them active on social media.I'm happy to note that many companies are joining the ranks of those who wish to secure our use of cyberspace. One of them is Globe Telecom.
Globe Telecom takes it upon itself to ensure that society as a whole remains safe from numerous threats facing everyone using the internet. This concern gave birth to the #makeITsafePH campaign under its CyberPinoy cyber wellness program. The campaign covers all stakeholders such as big corporations, small and medium-scale enterprises, government agencies, colleges and universities, and the general public./
