Today is Safer Internet Day! Join in us making the internet a safer place for everyone.
Creating a safer internet for everyone to enjoy is the focus of Safer Internet Day, here are 5 simple things you can do to help.
Don’t make it too easy.
If you use the same passwords for multiple accounts, use weak or easy to guess passwords, or give your details away as the result of a phishing email, you’re making it very easy for hackers to steal your personal information.
Personal information like your name, address and date of birth can be used to build a profile of you, which could result in your accounts being stolen or even identity theft.
Name of your first pet?
The fun little quizzes you see on Facebook and other social media accounts that can generate your wizard, Jedi, or new car name by simply combining your mother’s maiden name and the name of the road you grew up on are prime social engineering targets.
Do you think it’s a coincidence that the answers you need to provide are also common secret question answers which you might need to use to reset a password or recover an account?
Protect your fellow internet users
Dodgy links and damaging content can get shared around very quickly. It could be a link to a website laced with harmful ads, or images depicting bullying.
You have to report this kind of content, particularly when it’s hosted on social media. Reporting is easy, allows the host to act much more quickly and could save someone a lot of heartache.
Oversharing
Sometimes it seems like a very good idea to share something on social media, perhaps you even automatically share some things.
It’s always worth taking a minute to think: do I need to share this? What does it say about me to someone who might view my page? Could this be taken out of context and misinterpreted?
Anonymity
There is still a perception that you can be anonymous on the internet. It is still possible with the right know-how, software and hardware but the majority of what you do online can be traced back to you.
If you wouldn’t say or do something face-to-face with someone, then don’t say or do something to them online.
Do you have any more tips you would like to share? Let us know on Twitter @ESETUK and use #SID2018