Basics of Internet Safety: How to Keep Yourself and Your Kids Safe When Browsing Online

The 21^st century can rightly be called the Information Age. Most of us, if not all, are in some way active online.

We are privy to more information than ever before, and information technology is among the most important sciences in the world. However, the era has its downsides as well. Namely, our information is also more available than ever before. It is easier than ever for hackers, stalkers, and bullies to get their hands on our private information.

So, what can be done? Well, in this article, we would like to go over some of the basics of internet safety and security. We will explain how you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe when browsing the internet. 

The Most Basic of Basics

In this first section, we are going to go over the simplest things you must do if you spend a lot of time online. In other words, these are the basic, minimum requirements for online safety. Starting with the most obvious one, don’t click on suspicious links. If you get emails, messages, or any notifications from suspicious sources, ignore and block them. If the website has the option to report, report them as well. 

Keep your personal information private, and only share as much professional information as necessary. Websites will often ask if you want to receive notifications. Unless you are 100% certain that the website is reliable, always reject these notifications. And even if the website is reliable, only accept it if you are truly interested in the content of the site. Finally, ensure that your password and usernames are properly difficult, and never reuse them for different websites. 

Get a VPN

Now that you know the simple basics, it is time to delve deeper into online safety. Starting with getting a virtual private network, or VPN for short. VPNs are programs that help hide your identity and obscure your IP, by overlaying it on a public network. In other words, by using a VPN your IP address becomes a lot more difficult to trace, ensuring your safety and security.

The best part is that VPNs are no longer only available for PC. You can now get your hands on a VPN for iOS, Android, and other electronic device providers. If you were to assume that VPNs only help with safety, you would be wrong. Through a virtual private network, you can also access region-specific content. For example, many of you might be aware that a lot of Netflix shows are only available in certain countries. Through a VPN, you can easily access any of those shows, just by selecting the country’s public networks as a target for your virtual private network.

But, certainly many of you might see a problem with the fact that you have to pay for a VPN. And while it is true that the top-tier VPN services are subscription-based, there are also some quality VPNs that you can acquire for free. But trust us, if you are worried about online safety, a quality VPN is worth every penny. 

Be Careful When Shopping 

In 2022, most shoppers have largely moved to e-shopping. And who can blame them. Shopping online makes things so much easier. You can simultaneously cook lunch, prepare for work, and shop nowadays. However, here in lies a problem. Not all shopping websites are made equal. Some are reliable and trustworthy, and others are quite shady.

It is of utmost importance that you are fully aware of your preferred website’s history. Look up some reviews, both from current and existing customers. Run the website through some background research sites. Most importantly, ask around and look up trusted sources, and see what they have to say about the website. After all, if you are shopping online, you will need to share your private information with the website. So, make sure you are completely safe when doing so.

Update your Antivirus 

Finally, always keep your antivirus up to date. It is true, a security software won’t protect you from every threat. However, it will decrease the amount of online dangers, as well as provide you with an extra layer of security. So, no matter what, keep your antivirus updated at all times. 

Conclusion

Always keep these four basic rules in mind when you are browsing the internet. Also, it goes without saying, but ensure that your kids are safe as well. Place a VPN on all of their electronic devices, remind them to update their antivirus software, and share with them the safest shopping websites.

Finally, make sure you sit down with them and discuss internet safety and security in a calm manner, so that they too understand the importance of staying safe when browsing the web.