Alarmed By the Increase in Cybercrime Recently? Three Tips to Browse the Internet Safely

The last eighteen months or so have been some of the most challenging that any of us have had to experience. Never in our lifetimes did we think we would be faced with a situation of this magnitude, nor have to live through a global pandemic. It often feels like some sort of fever dream or that we are watching things unfold the way you would in a film, but it has been very much a reality for many.

At the same time, there have been added stresses to our day-to-day lives that have caused a whole host of problems, both directly and indirectly. With countries plunged into lockdown seemingly overnight, there is no surprise that many turned to the internet and technology as a means of passing the time, ourselves included!

While that is very much the case, we were not the only ones using technology as a means of using some of our free time. Cybercrime has seen an exponential increase throughout the pandemic. No matter where in the world you are, there have been cyberattacks on personal and professional accounts alike. After all, the types of people conducting this type of crime do not discriminate.

Whether you have been at the receiving end of a cyberattack at this time or not, you might have found yourself worrying about how to prevent it from happening in the future. Read on to discover some of our top tips for keeping yourself safe on the internet, both now and moving forward.

Check Website Security

Those who are more familiar with webpage safety would know this is the first and all-important step of keeping yourself safe on the internet. With close to two billion web pages out there, it is easy to fall into the depths of one that is not safe. While there is nothing to say you will find yourself on a site like this both in the present and the future, it is a potential eventuality that should be considered, especially when wanting to browse the internet safely.

That being said, even if you are not all that technologically proficient, there are signs you can look out for, which all indicate whether a website is safe or not. Knowing what these are and remembering them is the first step in ensuring your continued safety on the internet, and include the following:

• Privacy Policies: Every website should clearly demonstrate to you how they intend to collect, use, and store your information. Data privacy laws across the world made this mandatory, and websites must ensure they remain compliant and display this clearly on their site. If you are uncertain about giving a website your information, read this first. Following this, if you are still feeling a bit unsure, find a different site to this.

• Check for Security Seal: This is something we feel confident many reading this and beyond will be familiar with, even without realising it. Most, if not all, websites should have a security seal on them, signifying that it is a secure and safe place to browse. For the most part, these security seals present themselves as a lock symbol in the URL bar. With these, in particular, it is easy to determine if they are legitimate or not; simply click on them, and you should be taken to a verification page. If not, then you know what to do.

When Do You Need To Check Website Safety?

You might find yourself asking this question regularly, and there can be a variety of answers that go with it. Generally speaking, you should be ensuring the sites you are visiting are safe at all times. Being vigilant for this sort of thing goes a long way in the grand scheme of things and ensures you are protected from malware and hackers alike.

At the same time, there are particular times when you should pay closer attention to your online safety. None more so than when there is the exchange of money or personal information. Naturally, this includes any time you are online shopping but extends beyond that too.

The online gaming and gambling world makes up a vast amount of online browsing. It is always recommended that those who are enjoying this favoured pastime make an effort to protect themselves from hackers and criminals. Suppose you are someone who enjoys gaming and gambling. You might be concerned about your safety.

While that is understandable, sites offering live free spins and other games tend to be safe, going through rigorous security measures to ensure all those on their site can game responsibly. By sticking to these security measures and running your own checks, you can rest assured you will be playing a wide variety of games and making some big bucks in no time. If you are interested in this type of hobby and want to find out more about where to game safely, check out this page for more.

Other Factors to Consider

While the on-page security features undoubtedly give you a better idea of whether you are on a secure webpage or not, some other factors and resources can also be considered and implemented when browsing safely.

VPNs are frequently used by internet users and provide an extra level of security and anonymity, which is useful when hiding your personal information from websites and potential hackers. While VPNs are helpful for other reasons, one of their primary uses is for this exact reason, so should be considered if you want to browse the internet anonymously.

Hiding your private information from websites ensures that your information is protected and not at risk of being copied and impersonated should there be a data breach as a result of a cyberattack.

Taking these actions and others, whether on their own or in tandem with one another, is sure to increase your level of safety on the internet. While we understand the increased risk of cyberattacks may have put the wind up some people, rest assured that not only are you taking measures to protect yourself, but businesses big and small will also be following the same path.

At the same time, should you feel like you have been the victim of a cyberattack, ensure you contact and report the incident to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.