When browsing the Internet, there are certain mistakes that should not be made, as they could seriously compromise privacy and security. We are going to talk to you about five of them. These are things that, perhaps, are present in your daily life. You may make some mistakes and not be aware of it. We are going to explain to you why you should avoid them and what to do to try to navigate the Internet more safely.
Keep in mind that hackers will always be on the lookout to try to compromise security. They will take advantage of any mistake you make, such as falling into the Phishing trap or sneaking in some malware. However, the good news is that in most cases they are going to need you to do something, so it is up to you to protect yourself.
Mistakes to avoid on the Internet
Therefore, avoiding certain errors that can make the work of cybercriminals easier will be key. You will enhance network security and you will be better prepared to combat possible threats that put your passwords, personal data and the proper functioning of your devices at risk.
Reuse passwords
A fairly common mistake is reusing passwords. It consists of using the same password in different services on the Internet. For example, use it for email and for social networks, online stores or any other site. This could cause a domino effect, if they manage to get a password.
The ideal is to always create unique passwords that are completely random and can protect your Internet accounts well. Additionally, it is a good idea to enable two-step authentication whenever possible, creating an extra layer.
Enter links that arrive by email or SMS
Another common mistake is having the habit of accessing an account through links that arrive by email or SMS. It does not mean that it is a problem in all cases, but it could happen a lot. This is what is known as Phishing. Attackers could send fraudulent links, with the aim of stealing access keys or data.
When you have to enter a platform, we recommend that you put the official website directly in the browser. Be careful with links that you see on third-party sites or that reach you by email and SMS.
Put your email everywhere
You also shouldn’t use your primary email for everything on the Internet. We talked about not registering everywhere with the same email. This will mean that you expose your main address too much, so you could start receiving a lot of Spam or messages that are fraudulent, such as Phishing.
Our advice is that you have several addresses. If you are going to register on any dubious platform, do not use the main account. You can even opt for disposable emails.
Install extensions without looking at risks
Installing plugins in the browser is quite common. You can install them in Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, for example. The problem is that, beyond the usefulness they may have, they could also be a problem for security and privacy if they are not used correctly or are not reliable.
Our advice is that you do not install too many extensions in the browser. You should only have those that you are really going to need. You should also make sure that they are reliable.
Exposing too much social media
Finally, one more mistake is to expose too much on social networks. We are talking about platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Be careful with giving data that could pose a problem for your privacy, as well as making the profile public to anyone. Everything you can restrict will be welcome to enhance security.
Normally, when you enter the social media settings, you will be able to make changes to the settings about who can access information, what you share, etc.
In short, you should avoid all of this in your daily life if you want to enhance security and privacy on the Internet. It is key to make sure you have everything configured correctly, as well as avoid making basic mistakes that could affect you.
