5 tips on how to stay safe online

1. Use unique pass­words

Using the same pass­word for logging in to multiple accounts might seem easy and more convenient. The only problem is that it also makes things easier for hackers. When hackers steal the pass­word you use, they can get into all your accounts.

To be safe online, you need to have strong and unique pass­words. You have sensitive personal information stored on surprisingly many online accounts. Criminals can use this information for identity theft, for example.

2. Log out from services

When you’re done with a banking session or with another account where you have sensitive information, log out and close your browsing window. This is especially important when you’re at an internet café or other public space outside the safety of your home.

Logging out helps reduce the chance of cross-site request forgery attacks. The attacker can make your browser send requests to sites you are logged into. For example, they can request a bank transfer.

3. Keep your soft­ware up to date

Soft­ware is written by humans, and humans make mistakes. That’s why soft­ware can some­times include flaws that compromise internet safety. Hackers can scan the internet for computers running old soft­ware versions with flaws, and then target those computers specifically. Enable automatic updates to stay safe from these online attacks.

4. Beware phishing attacks

Phishing is when an attacker tricks you into opening a malicious link or an email attachment. Attackers use phishing to infect your device with malware, or to steal your login credentials.

If you receive a suspicious email, be careful. Take extra care before clicking links or opening attachments. And remember that phishing isn’t only via email — you can receive phishing links in SMS messages or chats as well.

5. Take back-ups

What if one day your device was locked, and you couldn’t access any of your important documents, photos, or videos? Ransom­ware happens. Ransom­ware is a type of malware that encrypts the files on your device and demands a ransom fee for decryption. To be safe online, take back­ups just in case your device ever gets lost, stolen or gets infected.