WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTISES TO STAY SAFE ONLINE

Your Digital Armor: Best Practices to Stay Safe

Think of your online security like a suit of armor. One piece alone isn't enough, but when you strap them all on, you become a much harder target for hackers. Don't worry, suiting up is easier than you think. Arm yourself with these essential best practices: 

1. Craft Fort Knox Passwords & Use a Manager
A weak password is like a flimsy lock on your diary. The goal is to create a lock that's incredibly difficult to pick.

• Why it Matters: If you use the same simple password everywhere, a breach on one site (like a gaming forum) gives hackers the key to your entire digital life (email, bank account, social media).

• Pro-Tip:

  • Passphrases are Power: Instead of a complex, hard-to-remember password like P@ssw0rd123!, use a passphrase. String together four or more random words, like Guitar-Pineapple-Rainbow-Dance!. It's long, strong, and easier to remember.

  • The Manager is Key: Remembering dozens of unique passphrases is impossible. A password manager (like Bitwarden, 1Password, or even the one built into your browser) acts as a secure vault. It creates and stores strong passwords for you; you only need to remember one master password.

https://cybernews.com/best-password-managers/how-to-create-a-strong-password/

2. Embrace Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
This is your digital deadbolt. Even if a thief steals your key (password), they still can't get through this second lock.

• Why it Matters: It adds a crucial layer of security. To log in, you need your password and a one-time code from your phone (via an app like Google Authenticator or a text message). This means a hacker can't access your account with just your password.

• Pro-Tip: Turn on 2FA everywhere it's offered, especially for your primary email, social media, and banking apps. An authenticator app is more secure than SMS, but using either is far better than using nothing at all.

3. Think Before You Click: Master Digital Street Smarts
The internet has its dark alleys. This practice is about looking both ways before you cross the digital street.

• Why it Matters: Many threats, like phishing scams and malware, rely on one thing: you clicking a link or opening an attachment without thinking.

• Pro-Tip:

  • Hover to Discover: Before you click, hover your mouse over any link. A small box will appear showing the actual web address. Does it look legitimate, or is it a jumble of strange letters?

  • Question Everything: Is the message creating a sense of urgency or offering something too good to be true? Is the sender's email address slightly off (e.g., support-amazon@biz.ru)? When in doubt, don't click. Go directly to the official website yourself.

4. Update, Update, Update: Patch the Holes
Those update notifications are like a reminder from your landlord to fix a broken lock on your apartment's front door. Ignoring them leaves everyone vulnerable.

• Why it Matters: Software updates often include patches for newly discovered security holes that hackers are actively exploiting. By not updating, you're leaving your digital doors and windows wide open.

• Pro-Tip: Enable automatic updates on your phone, laptop, and apps whenever possible. It's the easiest way to stay protected without having to think about it.

5. Guard Your Personal Info: Be Your Own Privacy Guard
Oversharing online is like giving a stranger pieces of a puzzle about your life. Eventually, they can put it all together to impersonate or scam you.

• Why it Matters: The information you post (your birthday, pet's name, school, hometown) are common answers to security questions for your accounts. Sharing your vacation in real-time tells the world your house is empty.

• Pro-Tip: Audit your social media privacy settings. Make your profiles "Friends Only" or "Private." Before you post, ask yourself: "Would I be okay with this information being public forever?" When in doubt, leave it out.