Top Internet Safety Tips
When you are on the internet, you are constantly being bombarded with people trying to extract money from you - in ways that aren't always totally legal - gray areas exist because the internet is changing faster than the law usually can. So, it's vital to be on the lookout for devious tricks, and know how to avoid them. If you get caught, it could cost you a lot of stress cancelling bank cards, undoing any wrong, and retrieving money back from the banks.
Basics
- Keep your wits about you all the time. You never know when you could be asked for private information.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it most definitely is.
- If something doesn't look or 'feel' right, it isn't.
- Be careful on sites that have lots of flashing adverts, some of the adverts could be trying to install software on your machine without you knowing. Such sites are best avoided.
- Think before you download. The software you're about to download could contain a virus or trojan that could spy on everything you type!
- Unsolicited email that you're sent by strangers are unusual. However, if that email mentions money or asks for your details, then it's to be avoided. No official body will ask you for passwords, names, bank details etc by email. Email is an insecure method of communication.
- Common tricks involve asking you to collect money on someone's behalf after which you'll be able to pocket the remainder. Avoid. Official looking emails asking you to renew passwords, to enter you details on this site, are also to be avoided. They're probably phishing sites asking you to log in to their site made to look like the original site, so they can grab your log in details.
- Attachments - Things sent alongside emails - such as presentations, images etc, can also have nasty trojans and viruses embedded inside of them, and are generally best avoided. These trojans can grab your usernames and passwords, bank details if you bank online, and if it wants - every word you type. Be safe, and have an up to date virus checker bought only from an official supplier.
Social Engineering
- This is the act of trying to extract information from you by putting you under stress. You could get a phone call from someone pretending to be an official from a company. They will probably ask you for a username, password and so on. The experts will make it very difficult for you to say 'no' to them. Just say 'no'.
- Social engineering is also prevalent online, by making offers look too good to be true, and trying to appeal to your impulses rather than your sense. Again, could well be difficult to not do something the creator of the site wants. That is, if you actually realize you're being manipulated in this way!
OK, so there you have our most important tips for being safe online. Of course, the most important advice is to have your wits about you all the time when online.