Prioritising your online security and safety is essential in today’s digital world, by being proactive, you can protect yourself from all sorts of online threats, like harmful websites and sneaky phishing scams. Check out these tips and keep up with the latest web safety practices to make your browsing experience as secure as possible.
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- Clear cookies and browsing history periodically. That helps protect your privacy and minimises the risk of a cyberattack leveraging stored data to gain unauthorised access. Simply go to your internet browser’s privacy and security settings and “Delete browsing data” (Note: This will also delete stored passwords. To keep these, untick “passwords”).
- Never store sensitive information like passwords or credit card details in plain text or send via email. Use encrypted digital vaults or password managers to keep such data secure. Some even allow for biometric verification (fingerprints, facial features, or iris scans, verify they are who they claim to be) for extra security. When sharing sensitive information like passwords or secret keys, avoid using email and instead send these via text message or another secure messaging app.
- Use MFA where ever possible. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), is widely regarded as one of the most secure methods for protecting online logins. This approach typically requires users to input a time-sensitive code sent to their email or phone, a code generated in a secure app, or perform a biometric scan (fingerprint or face recognition) on a trust device. This in addition to entering their password minimises the chance of unauthorised access to your accounts. Whenever possible, implement MFA to enhance the security of your online accounts during the login process.
- Look out for HTTPS. Think of HTTP as the internet’s fundamental, yet less secure protocol. In contrast, HTTPS serves its more secure counterpart, with the ‘S’ standing for Secure. When you’re browsing the web, make sure the URL starts with HTTPS. Also, be vigilant for the little lock icon on the left of the web address. This icon indicates a secure encrypted connection, meaning you’re safe and sound, while an exclamation mark is a red flag and potential security risk.
