Learn About Safe Internet Browsing Practices

Understanding Internet Security Threats and How They Work

The internet connects billions of devices worldwide, making it an incredible resource for information, communication, and commerce. However, this same connectivity creates opportunities for people with harmful intentions to steal personal information, money, or access to your accounts. Understanding the threats you might face online is the first step toward protecting yourself.

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Malware is one of the most common threats. This term refers to software designed to damage your device or steal information. According to cybersecurity reports, over 450,000 new malware samples are detected daily across the internet. Malware can arrive through fake email attachments, suspicious websites, or compromised software downloads. Once installed, it may steal passwords, monitor your activity, or allow criminals to control your device remotely.

Phishing attacks are another widespread danger. In a phishing attack, criminals send emails, text messages, or create fake websites that appear to come from legitimate companies like banks or social media platforms. These messages trick you into revealing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers. The FBI reports that phishing was responsible for over $1.4 billion in losses in 2023 alone.

Other common threats include ransomware (malicious software that locks your files until you pay money), identity theft (when someone uses your personal information fraudulently), and data breaches (when hackers access company databases containing customer information). Each of these threats targets different types of information and uses different methods of attack.

Takeaway: Familiarize yourself with these threats so you can recognize warning signs when browsing online. Knowing what criminals are trying to do helps you spot suspicious activity and avoid falling victim to these schemes.

Creating and Managing Strong Passwords Across Your Accounts

Passwords serve as the lock and key to your online accounts. A weak password can be guessed or cracked in seconds, while a strong password can protect your information from most common hacking attempts. However, many people use the same password across multiple sites or create passwords that are easy to remember but also easy to guess.

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A strong password has several characteristics. It should be at least 12 characters long, though 16 or more characters is even better. It should contain a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (like !, @, #, or $). A strong password avoids dictionary words, sequential numbers, and personal information like birthdays or pet names. For example, "BlueSky2024" is weaker than "Tr0pic@lSunset#9mK2" because the first one contains dictionary words and predictable numbers, while the second combines different character types randomly.

Password managers are tools that store your passwords in an encrypted vault. Programs like Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass, or Dashlane allow you to create unique, complex passwords for each account without needing to remember them all. You only need to remember one strong master password to access the vault. This approach prevents you from reusing passwords across sites, which is dangerous because if one site is hacked, criminals can try that same password on your other accounts.

When creating passwords, avoid these common mistakes: using your name or address, including sequential numbers like 123456, using "password" itself in your password, or using patterns on the keyboard like "qwerty." Additionally, never share passwords via email, text message, or phone calls. Legitimate companies never ask for your password through unsolicited communications.

Takeaway: Use a password manager to maintain unique, complex passwords for each account. This single practice eliminates one of the most common ways hackers gain access to your accounts and personal information.

Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

Phishing and social engineering attacks trick you into voluntarily giving up sensitive information or clicking malicious links. These attacks succeed not because of technical complexity, but because they exploit human psychology and trust. Learning to recognize these attacks is one of your most valuable defense tools.

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Phishing emails typically create a sense of urgency or alarm to bypass your careful thinking. You might receive a message claiming your bank account has suspicious activity, your email password needs updating, or you've won a prize you need to claim. The email includes a link that looks legitimate but actually takes you to a fake website that looks almost identical to the real one. When you enter your login credentials, the criminals capture them.

Red flags for phishing emails include: generic greetings like "Dear Customer" instead of your actual name, spelling and grammar errors, unusual sender email addresses that don't match the company name, requests for passwords or sensitive information, links that don't match where they claim to go (hover over links to see the actual address), and urgency language about account suspension or limited-time offers. Major companies never ask for passwords via email. If you receive such a message, go directly to the company's website by typing the address yourself rather than clicking the email link.

Social engineering attacks use conversation and relationship-building rather than technical hacking. An attacker might call claiming to be from your IT department and ask you to verify your password for "security updates." They might pose as a delivery person, repair person, or new coworker to gain physical access to buildings or computers. These attacks succeed because they manipulate people's natural desire to be helpful and avoid conflict.

Takeaway: Before clicking links or providing information in response to unsolicited messages, contact the organization directly using contact information you find independently. This simple pause gives you time to verify whether the request is legitimate.

Protecting Your Personal and Financial Information Online

Your personal information is valuable to criminals. Information like your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and financial details can be sold to other criminals, used to open accounts in your name, or combined with other information to steal your identity. Every transaction online creates opportunities for your data to be exposed, making protection strategies essential.

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When entering sensitive information online, verify that the website uses encryption, indicated by "https://" (the "s" stands for secure) in the web address rather than just "http://". You should also see a padlock icon in your browser's address bar. Encryption scrambles your information so that even if someone intercepts it during transmission, they cannot read it. However, encryption only protects information while it travels between your device and the website. It does not prevent the company from storing your data insecurely.

Use strong, unique passwords specifically for financial accounts. If you bank online or use payment services, these deserve especially strong protection. Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security to your accounts. With two-factor authentication enabled, logging in requires both something you know (your password) and something you have (a code sent to your phone or generated by an authentication app). This means that even if someone obtains your password, they cannot access your account without this second factor.

Limit the personal information you share online and in public profiles. Avoid posting your full birth date, address, or phone number on social media. These details, combined with other information, can enable identity theft. When making online purchases, use credit cards rather than debit cards when possible, as credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. Never use public WiFi networks for banking or shopping. These networks are not encrypted, and criminals can easily intercept information transmitted through them.

Monitor your accounts regularly. Check bank and credit card statements frequently for unauthorized charges. Many banks offer transaction alerts that notify you of unusual activity. You can obtain a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review these reports for accounts you don't recognize, which could indicate identity theft.

Takeaway: Treat financial information with extreme caution. Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, monitor accounts regularly, and avoid public WiFi for sensitive transactions.

Browsing Safely and Evaluating Website Trustworthiness

Not all websites are trustworthy. Some contain malware, collect your data deceptively, or present false information. Developing skills to evaluate websites before sharing information or downloading content can prevent infections and scams.

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When visiting a new website, look for several trust indicators. Check the domain name carefully—scammers often use addresses that look similar to legitimate sites, like "amaz0n.com" instead of "amazon.com" or "paypa1.com" instead of "paypal.com." Look for the padlock icon and "https://" indicating a secure connection. Check if the site displays contact information, a physical address, and clear privacy policies. Legitimate businesses typically provide ways to contact them and explain how they use your data.