Whether you have a teen that’s never known a world without the internet or a senior parent that’s learning the ropes online, safe internet browsing is a must to keep your family protected from viruses, malware, and more.
Today’s internet is full of popups, spam, malicious apps and surveys on social media, and it can be hard to tell the legitimate content from the dangerous. Click on the wrong thing, and your next stop is trying to find a good virus removal tool.
The average American spends 24 hours a week online.
According to MIT Technology Review, the average American spends 24 hours per week online, and it’s not just on a desktop. Mobile device use for accessing the internet has risen from 23% in 2010 to 84% now.
Whether you live in Nampa, Boise, or the farthest corner of the world, not connecting to the internet for work or leisure isn’t really an option. From social media sites that help us keep up with friends and family to cloud-based services we use daily at work, going online has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Never fear, smart and safe internet browsing is just a few paragraphs away!
Our Team at Connect2Geek wants to make sure you and your family stay safe online, so we’ve put together our 6 best tips for safe internet browsing. Some of them may seem obvious, but you’ll be surprised how many people pick up bad internet browsing habits!
Our tips are meant to be quick, easy, and help you safely enjoy being online without having to worry about viruses, data loss, and other bad stuff.
6 Tips for Staying Safe Online
According to a Microsoft Security Intelligence report, 16 million households have experienced a serious virus problem in the last two years. What’s the estimated cost to families impacted by viruses, spyware, and phishing? A whopping $4.55 billion!
The costs of viruses and other online cyber threats can add up fast:
- Cost of virus removal
- Lost productivity while computer is down
- Compromised bank or credit card information
- Repairs for computer systems that are damaged
- Replacement of damaged devices or routers
Avoid all that by adopting these good internet habits.
- Install a Trusted Antivirus Software
Antivirus software can stop internet-based threats and warn you of dangerous websites. They’re your first line of defense against virus removal. Be sure to keep your antivirus updated and make sure everyone’s computer in your household uses one.
- Be Careful What You Download, Including Apps
You do a quick search on free photo software, and just assume something in the first few search results must be a safe site, right? Wrong. Never download software or apps from sites or vendors you don’t know or haven’t researched. Just one click can open your desktop or mobile device to a hacker.
- Look for the HTTPS
That little bit of text before the “www” means a lot. If a site has just “http” that means it’s not secure. The “https” has a padlock in the URL field and indicates that the website is secure and uses encryption to scramble any data you share. This is especially a must for any site you shop with and share your credit card details on.
- Think Before You Click that Email Link
Phishing emails are the top delivery method for viruses and malware. They’re designed to look like a legitimate email from businesses you might know, but when you click the link, you’re taken to a site that can download a virus on your computer.
Learn to hover over email links without clicking. That can reveal that the real URL looks nothing like the legitimate site you thought it was and save you from a big click mistake.
- Get a Good Password Manager
Hackers know the top passwords that people use and can easily get past them to gain entry into your system. Use a password manager to generate and save complex passwords that are much harder to get past.
- Turn off Location Services on Mobile Devices
It’s fun to share photos online, but strangers don’t really need a mapped location to the dog park near your house. Turn off location services on your mobile devices to ensure you’re not giving away more information about you and your family than you want to.
Get Some Help Staying Safe Online with Connect2Geek
Need a virus removal or help with an antivirus program? Would you like us to take care of those security settings to make sure your family is safe?
Our friendly “Geeks” at Connect2Geek are here to help families in Nampa and the Treasure Valley area stay safe online. Give us a call today at 208-468-4323.