How to protect yourself online?

Strange text messages about paying extra for a package, obtaining confidential data, fake websites. Cybercriminals are not idle and set traps for us at every turn. How to stay safe online? How to increase your vigilance and not be fooled? Check how to avoid threats on the Internet .

Don't fall victim to cybercriminals!

Since you happily use the Internet to handle everyday matters, you must also be aware that the network is not only about carefree surfing of your favorite sites, a whole range of conveniences and cool possibilities, but also many threats. It is worth knowing what dangers are associated with, for example, downloading software from shady servers or replying to suspicious emails. In the Sapsan store, we have recently noticed a growing interest in books on cybersecurity and the topic of online security in general . However, the lack of any protection on the Internet often results from the fact that a person does not know how to properly secure their own data. An antivirus program alone is not a solution here. So what to do? What to watch out for to protect your privacy on the Internet ?

How to protect your data on the Internet ?

Phishing and skimming are unfortunately happening to the average Joe more and more often. So what should effective protection on the Internet consist of ? First, remember that no respectable service will send you an email with a burning request to visit and log in to the site. So do not open every hyperlink directly from the email you receive! Also, do not send your personal data by email (especially forms contained in the email). Also, make sure to regularly update your system and software.

How to increase your security online ?

Don't trust hotspots and pay attention to the HTTPS protocol

A visit to a café or a shopping mall and you are already tempted by public Wi-Fi. Do not trust hotspots. These types of networks attract thieves who patiently wait for a clever and easy interception of your data. Do not even think about using public Wi-Fi on old devices, e.g. with Windows XP. Such systems are no longer supported in terms of updates and breaking into them is a matter of seconds. You can see the full list of exploits (vulnerabilities) on this page . Also remember that banks and financial institutions use the HTTPS protocol where logging into the system is required. Therefore, the website address should start with "https://". If the "s" is missing at the end, i.e. you see "http://", then a warning light should immediately go off in your head. There is no talk of online security here . It is also best to report such a fact to the site administrators and not provide any data on such sites.

Rely on authentication keys

The recent stories of Facebook and Instagram account thefts clearly show that online privacy is at risk, and sometimes even if someone has two-factor authentication set up, it may not be enough . If you want an additional form of protection against phishing attacks and secure the login process (e.g. to Facebook or other online services, such as a Gmail account), it is worth considering purchasing U2F keys .

Delete old accounts

If you are wondering how to stay safe online , don't forget to get rid of accounts that you haven't used for a long time. This will also protect your data from leaking to unwanted people. Someone could take over your old account and publish content on it. Delete your social media accounts. The same goes for email. If you have changed your email address, it is best to delete the previous one.

Use your rights

Remember that under GDPR you have the right to ask any company for the data they have about you. You have the right to request immediate deletion of some of it. And you can find a lot of legal advice from data protection specialists on the Internet.

Don't move important documents to the cloud

Google Drives, Dropboxes, and clouds are tempting and incredibly convenient options. However, use them with a certain amount of common sense. Do not put scans of important documents or private photos there. Clouds are also often hacked. If possible, set up two-step verification and password-protect documents before sending.