how to stay protected on the webThe Internet can be a seemingly endless fountain of knowledge, a great source of entertainment, and one of the most useful tools in our lives. However, along with all of the benefits that the Web brings us, it can also expose us to security threats, from identity theft and personal information leaks to computer viruses and more. Of course, we can't stop using the Internet, right? So we must take the time and care to educate ourselves on the best ways to stay protected in our daily online browsing.

To promote National Cybersecurity Month this month and to celebrate the release of our master's in cybersecurity, we've rounded up a list for you of 7 things that you can do to help keep yourself safe online.

1. Install Virus Protection

If you are connected to the Internet, you should have an anti-virus program installed on your computer, and take the time to check that it's properly set up. Not only should scans of your system are be done regularly, but you should also make sure that updates are being downloaded on a consistent basis to keep you up-to date with the latest security information.

2. Don't Post Personal Information Online

While it may seem obvious, it's easy to forget that once you post something on the Internet, it is public. From credit card information, social security numbers, and your location to your phone number and even personal photographs that reveal too much, it is important to double check before clicking the "Post" button to make sure that you are not exposing yourself to trouble.

3. Use Strong Passwords

Do away with passwords that are easy to guess - a hacking program can take just seconds to try thousands of passwords. If your password contains a word that is in the dictionary, or is missing symbols and numbers as well as upper and lower case letters, you could be exposing a weak spot to hackers. Use different passwords for different accounts, and be sure to change passwords regularly, or if anything suspicious happens on an account. To get a serously secure password, check out Norton's secure password generator.

4. Check for SSL Encryption

If you are entering personal information, especially any payment information into a website, take a moment to check that the site is SSL encrypted. This is information is usually displayed in your browser's URL bar as a lock icon. You should be able to click on this icon to review the site's security information. The URL in the bar will normally also display "https" instead of just "http" to indicate that the site is secure.

5. Check the URL

Before logging in or entering information into a website, take a look to make sure that the site's URL is correct. Hackers may sometimes create a phony copy of a website, and misspell one letter in the URL in the hopes that if a user mistypes the URL and visits the phony site, they will then attempt to log in, and in doing so, hand over their information to the malevolent site.

6. Be Aware of What is Suspicious

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Pop-up windows informing you that you have won a prize, offering information on how to make more money, or telling you that your computer is infected with a virus are typical traps to take you to a page where malware will download or your personal information is requested. Develop your ability to detect these scam setups, and steer clear of them.

7. Don't Click on Suspicious Email Links

Even if an email appears to be coming from a friend, think twice before clicking on any links in the email. A hacked email account can easily be used to send out emails with an infected link in them. Once clicked, this link can allow a hacker to gain access to your account as well, or can take you to a website that infects your computer with malware. Unless you are expecting a link from a friend, it's best to double-check with them to ensure that the link is genuine before opening it. This applies to social media messages, too.

Be Part of the Solution!

Staying safe online is an important part of being able to use and enjoy the Web. Network security is a continually evolving field as websites and companies seek better ways to keep users safe online. If you are interested in helping to make the Web more secure, this can be an exciting possible career track to follow! Contact us today to find out more about how you could earn your Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity and get on the way to a new career! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

Learn more about ECPI's College of Technology TODAY!

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