One of the biggest threats that we all currently face to our security is online. And it comes from hackers who could potentially steal our identity. Not only can they hack into your personal details to use your name and address for illicit activities, but they could also quite easily get their hands on your bank account and steal money. But that isn’t cause for panic. There are plenty of ways you can keep your identity safe, and some of the following hacks can help you stay safe and secure when browsing online.
Never Click A Link You Weren’t Expecting
We get many spam emails through to our inbox each day, and it’s a good idea to send all of these straight to your junk box. This will help you inbox learn what exactly is spam and which emails you want in your inbox. However, spam mail is getting a lot more sophisticated, and many hackers now send out emails that mimic trusted businesses and organizations. If you get one of these and aren’t expecting to receive it, you shouldn’t click on any links in the mail. They could contain a virus.
Only Shop On Secure Sites
These days, there are hundred of shopping websites where Internet users can buy various goods and services. But before you commit to a purchase and enter in your credit card details, you should double check that the website is completely secure. There should be a small locked padlock in the address bar of your browser. If you can’t see this, then you should move on to a more secure site. The website address should also begin with “https” rather than just “http”.
Watch For Bugs On Your Own Website
Many of us now have our very own personal website. These are often for business use or are personal blogs. But no matter what kind of website you have, you should try the 64 categorized testing metrics as these will highlight any possible bugs. If your website has a bug, then it will be weaker to potential hackers. Ironing out all the bugs can help to increase the security of your site.
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Be Mindful When Tweeting
As well as websites and blogs, lots of us now have social media profiles, including Facebook and Twitter. But next time you post a Facebook status or tweet something, you should think twice about the information that you are posting. Don’t include any sensitive information or data as hackers could easily pick up on this and use it to steal your identity.
Don’t Use Open Public WiFi
When you are out and about, you shouldn’t use any WiFi networks for which you don’t need a password. These are very risky indeed as hackers can get information from anyone who is connected to them. Networks that require a password are a lot more secure as they are much more difficult for people to hack.
Don’t ever take any risks when online; you don’t know just how close the hackers are!
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