Browsing Securely Online
Browsing securely online should be a first-class priority for every internet surfer. And trust me, you don’t want to wish that you had listened when you read this. True, the internet is such a wonderful thing, perhaps the greatest invention of the millennium.
Name a thing you can’t do online. You can get information, conduct transactions, access entertainment, interact with aliens, and so much more—have you ever heard of virtual sex?
Excellent Strategies For Browsing Securely Online
As beneficial as the internet is, it is pretty much a wildfire: it burns real deep when you’re careless. How? Well, it may interest you that millions of criminals all over the globe are trying to gain access to your private information every ticking second. If they do this successfully, you could wake up one morning to find that your house has been sold, your shares put on the market, your images and videos leaked online, or your bank account emptied to its last score.
Isn’t that insane? In fact, let’s keep aside the possible consequences we mentioned above. Think of what could happen if criminals found out where your kids school, where your private funds are, or where your spouse is holidaying. The thought scares me, I tell you, which is why I am religiously uptight with my security online.
Few realize the extent of the dangers they are exposed to when surfing the web. Therefore, I have compiled this list of strategies that have kept my info secured through all my years of browsing. Here we go.
Always Use An Updated Browser
New updates on your browsers may be so common that you don’t pay attention to them anymore. Believe it when I say that’s a costly error.
Your browser is practically the first thing a malicious code or virus makes contact with, and this is where the invasion is most important. A far outdated web browser is an easy conquest for malicious software because they are barely equipped to resist them. An updated browser, on the other hand, usually contains extra features that will keep an invasion at bay. Every new version of a browser is targeted at eliminating previous points of vulnerability.
Sure, it may be frustrating to see the “update browser” option when you’re in a hurry to use Google, but the wait is worth it. Think of everything that could go wrong if you don’t.
Block, Block Pop-ups
Pop-ups are typically harmless. Most often, a pop-up is merely a store advert. But here’s the problem: they pop up on your browser screen without your permission. Well, what do you do to them? You block, block pop-ups. That’s it.
A pop-up is coded in the HTML of a web page so that when you visit the page, your screen is automatically littered, whoever gave programmers this idea! Pop-ups are anything but captivating— instead, they are very frustrating. To make things worse, criminals have found a way to exploit this coding. Clicking on a “shop for your ties here,” pop-up can turn out to be “hey, buddy, show me your bank details here.”
Pretty hilarious, isn’t it? Every updated browser allows you to block pop-ups. Check out your settings to set up the command.
Use HTTPS
If you have ever meddled with URLs, you’d have noticed that a URL is typically https:// or http://. But have you bothered to check for the difference between the two? I doubt it. Here’s what you need to know.
HTTP is the fundamental premise upon which data is shared across the internet. That is, the World Wide Web. You do not need to know how this system works to secure your browsing. What you must, however, note is that https:// provides you with more security.
Using https:// to access a website means that the connection between your computer and the site is secured with high-end encryption. Thankfully, nearly every website uses HTTPS these days.
Some sites, however, load HTTP by default, and you might have to reload the website yourself. When this happens, you would have to type in https:// before the address yourself. This can be time-consuming, though, so I suggest you try out browser extensions, such as HTTPS everywhere.
Always Clean Out Your Cache & Cookies
Normally, you can set your browser to “do not track,” which means websites you visit will not store or keep track of your records. However, most sites do not accept this, so you have to handle things from your end.
To override the decision of every website, whether they regard or disregard your “do not track” configuration, you have to clear your cache and cookies regularly, or immediately after you visit a website, you wouldn’t like to have any record with. The definitions of cache and cookies don’t matter here: what’s important is that you clear them from time to time.
Embrace VPNs
A VPN stands for “virtual private network,” and its job is simple and clear: hide and protect your online activities. Using a VPN masks your system or phone’s IP address, thereby leaving you completely traceless. With a standard VPN, your system can establish an encrypted, secure connection that provides even better privacy than public Wi-Fi.
That said, you can get a free VPN to use, although a paid service is often better and more secured.
Get An Antivirus Software
I don’t think there’s a computer owner who hasn’t heard of antivirus software, but how many have a working one installed? Do you?
An Antivirus software is the most effective way of protecting yourself from savvy hackers who expertly disguise their attacks. A website with an excellent reputation can be infiltrated, so there is always the risk of an attack. A paid antivirus software does it best. You can get a free antivirus to use as well, but it’s hardly effective against well-orchestrated attacks.
Final Lines On Browsing Securely Online
Surfing the internet exposes you to numerous threats. You could be held ransom for your info; your accounts could be wiped clean— really, the possibilities are endless. Fortunately, browsing securely online is easily achievable. Just keep to these simple strategies above, and you’re safe to go.