While using the internet can make our lives easier and allow us to try new things, it can also expose us to various different scams. It is important to understand how you can stay safe online while making the most of what the internet can offer. The following resources provide support in helping you to stay safe online and prevent being the victim of a scam:
Essential internet safety tips
This section covers some basic tips for staying safe online.
Make sure you have a secure internet connection
When you use a public wifi connection, you have no direct control over its security. If you are using public wifi, avoid making personal transactions such as online banking or online shopping.
Use strong passwords
Choosing a password that is easy to remember can also mean that it is easy for hackers to guess. Also, using the same password for multiple sites is risky as it means that once hackers get access to your details for one site, they can potentially access other sites using the same login. Using a password manager can help you to remember strong passwords. Password managers help users create strong passwords, store them in a digital vault protected by a single master password, and retrieves them when logging into accounts.
Use multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication is an authentication method that asks users to provide two or more verification methods, such as personal security questions or biometric information, to access an online account.
Check that websites look and feel reliable
It's important to ensure that all websites you are visiting are reliable, especially ones that you transact on. Look out for URLs that start with HTTPS rather than HTTP.
Be careful where you click
It's important to browse the internet consciously and avoid certain types of content such as links from untrusted sources and spam emails, online quizzes, clickbait, or "free" offers. If you receive an email that you're unsure about, avoid clicking on any links within it, or opening any attachments.
Make sure your devices are secure
It's good practice to use passwords, passcodes, and other security options such as a fingerprint or facial recognition to secure your devices.
Be careful what you post
Any comment or image that you post online may stay there forever because removing the original does not remove any copies that other people may have made. Don't post anything online that you wouldn't want your friends, family, or (prospective) employer to see. You must also be careful not to disclose too much personal information about yourself online.
Be careful who you meet online
The people that you meet online are not always who they claim to be, they may not even be real. Fake social media profiles are commonly used by hackers to take advantage of unsuspecting internet users. This is particularly true with the rise of online dating in recent years.
Double-check online information
Fake news, misinformation, and disinformation are all present on the internet. If you read something that you are unsure of, do your own research to double-check the facts.
Use a good antivirus and keep it up to date
It's important to use a good quality antivirus as this will protect your devices and data and block common threats like viruses.