As we reminisce on the amazing things the internet has done for us, we need not forget the awful things it has done to us. Cyberbullying, cyber-theft, phishing to name a few. Safety should be our watchword when navigating the internet today. In this article, I will be sharing with you some tips to improve your internet safety in 2022. You can thank me later.

Wait, I know you want to stay safe online but let's start with understanding Internet Safety.

What is Internet Safety?

Internet safety is the act of staying safe online. This includes being aware of the risks associated with your online activity and employing a few strategies to prevent or avoid those risks (Norton, 2021).

Now we know what internet safety is all about, let's dive into the ways we can improve our internet safety.

How to Improve your Internet Safety

• Experiment with different Ad Blocking Browsers: Using browsers with built-in ad blockers will prevent or minimize the urge to click on harmful files and links. Browsers like Brave, Opera, Safari and Firefox have good ad blocking capabilities.

• Download from Secured Websites: I understand that short cuts and free stuffs can be difficult to resist. Like, who does not want free stuffs? Although some people do not buy the idea of getting things for free or going through shortcuts on the internet but for those who do, ensure the websites are encrypted with HTTPS and not HTTP. Safety is not 100% guaranteed with the HTTPS, it's a good a way to start.

• Install an Antivirus Software and keep it Updated: Ensure you have a basic antivirus software installed on your gadgets and keep them UPDATED. We can only get the best out of our antivirus softwares when they are updated often and not occasionally. Avast Free Antivirus, Windows Defender Antivirus, Kaspersky Security Cloud Free and AVG Antivirus Free just to name a few are free antivirus softwares you can use. This is a reminder to update your antivirus applications.

• Avoid using one Password for all your Accounts: When an unauthorized person hacks into one account, they will try to hack into more accounts with the same password. It is generally not advisable to use one password for all your accounts. I know, it can be difficult to remember all your passwords so here is a great tip for you;

Sign up with your Google account on websites and applications. This will prevent you from creating passwords each time you sign up on a website or application.

You are welcome

• Use a VPN on Public or Untrusted Wifi: Avoid using public wifi as much as possible. If you must, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN creates a digital "shell" between someone's device and a proxy location (Ihuoma, 2022). With VPNs, snoopers on the network will only see encrypted data that is completely useless to them (Engeldinge, n.d).

• Enable Two-factor Authentication (2FA): Apart from creating strong passwords, enabling a two-factor authentication will provide an additional layer of security. A lot of the applications we use often have a two-factor authentication. When an unauthorized person wants to log in to your accounts with another device, the two-factor authenticator will usually demand some sought of security key even if the hacker passed the first layer of security.

• Trust your instincts: If you are suspicious of that email, file, or link that was sent to you. DO NOT OPEN IT.

Techies as cliché as this might sound, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Learnt something new? Please leave a comment and click the like button if you enjoyed reading this article. Save someone from becoming a prey by sharing. You don't know who might need it.

Please stay safe in the virtual world. It's scary out there.

Reference

Cover Photo: [Maskmatters.org (n.d). Internet Safety]. Retrieved from maskmatters.org/technology-internet-safety Accessed October 15, 2022

[Norton (2021, August 13). 20 internet safety tips and checklist to help families stay safer online]. Retrieved from us.norton.com/blog/kids-safety/stop-stressi.. Accessed October 15, 2022.

Ihuoma F, [Enugu State Tech Hub]. (2022, September 8). ADA Office Hour Day 8 [Video]. YouTube.

[Engeldinge R (n.d). Digital Security: Five tools to have and use to increase your safety online]. Retrieved from (meetingnewsnw.com/lessons-learned/digital-s..) Accessed October 15, 2022.