{"id":189720,"date":"2024-02-22T18:17:58","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T18:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/?p=189720"},"modified":"2024-02-22T18:17:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T18:17:58","slug":"how-to-stay-safe-online-expert-advice-and-must-follow-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/how-to-stay-safe-online-top-cyber-experts-advice","title":{"rendered":"How to Stay Safe Online: Expert Advice and Must-Follow Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In today&#8217;s digital era, it&#8217;s critical that you take<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2419\/internet\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">internet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> safety<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4607\/computer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">computer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> safety<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seriously. As people rely more on the internet for such tasks as communication, shopping, and banking, the risks and dangers have also increased. Protecting your personal data and financial information, as well as your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/23915\/digital-identity\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online identity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is critical to protect against <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/27435\/cybercriminal\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cybercriminals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4015\/malicious-software-malware\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">malicious activities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By following <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">internet safety tips<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/how-to\/how-to-create-a-strong-password\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">creating strong and unique passwords<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, being cautious when sharing personal information, and regularly updating security software, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/antivirus\/best-malware-removal\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">malware removal<\/span><\/a> solutions<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/antivirus\/best-antivirus-software\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antivirus software<\/span><\/a> tools<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can greatly diminish the likelihood that you&#8217;ll fall victim to cybercrime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, staying informed about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/common-phishing-scams-and-how-to-protect-yourself\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">common online scams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/top-cybersecurity-threats-for-it-teams\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">latest security threats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you make better decisions and avoid potential dangers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, prioritizing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online safety <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not only protects you from financial loss and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/antivirus\/how-to-prevent-identity-theft\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">identity theft<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but it also promotes a secure and reliable digital environment for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-moz-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-webkit-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-moz-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-webkit-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"key_takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cybercrime is increasing, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecurityventures.com\/cybersecurity-almanac-2023\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cybersecurity Ventures<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> expecting global cybercrime costs to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. And if you don\u2019t know<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> how to stay safe online<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;ll be vulnerable to cyberattacks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s essential that you stay informed about the most recent threats and best practices for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">personal cybersecurity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safeguarding your personal data and online identity is critical to protect against cybercriminals.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By gaining knowledge on how to ensure your online safety, you can effectively protect your personal data.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div>\n    <section class=\"toc-sticky w-100 bg-white \">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                 aria-controls=\"multiCollapse1\"\n                 data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse1\">\n                <button\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                >\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n                <span class=\"toc-main-title-permanent\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div\n                    class=\"collapse my-3\"\n                    id=\"multiCollapse1\"\n            >\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item current\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"must-follow_tips_on_how_to_stay_safe_online\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"must-follow_tips_on_how_to_stay_safe_online\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Must-Follow Tips on How to Stay Safe Online<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_is_personal_cybersecurity_and_why_should_you_take_it_seriously\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_personal_cybersecurity_and_why_should_you_take_it_seriously\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What Is Personal Cybersecurity and Why Should You Take It Seriously?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"references\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"references\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">References<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__btn-top justify-content-center\">\n                    <button class=\"btn btn-link d-flex align-items-center\" onclick={btnTop()}><p>Show Full Guide<\/p><img decoding=\"async\"\n                                src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/table-of-contents\/assets\/images\/arrow-up-circle.svg\"\n                                alt=\"arrow-up-circle\">\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"toc-sticky-list\">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-controls=\"multiCollapse2\" data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse2\">\n                <button class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\">\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"collapse my-3\" id=\"multiCollapse2\">\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item current \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"must-follow_tips_on_how_to_stay_safe_online\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"must-follow_tips_on_how_to_stay_safe_online\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Must-Follow Tips on How to Stay Safe Online<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_is_personal_cybersecurity_and_why_should_you_take_it_seriously\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_personal_cybersecurity_and_why_should_you_take_it_seriously\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What Is Personal Cybersecurity and Why Should You Take It Seriously?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"show_moretoc\">Show Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"references\"\n                                   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const headerHeightDifference = window.innerWidth < 992 ? -30 : -15;\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: el.offsetTop - 60 - headerHeightDifference - 10,\n        });\n    }\n<\/script>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"must-follow_tips_on_how_to_stay_safe_online\">Must-Follow Tips on How to Stay Safe Online<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pay Attention to Mobile Phone-Based Scams<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile phone scams have been on the rise, and they&#8217;re expected to keep rising in 2024, said <\/span><b>Sharad Varshney<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, CEO of OvalEdge, a data governance consultancy and data catalog solutions provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The latest phone-based financial scams are usually variations on typical themes we\u2019ve seen in other tried-and-true scams, i.e., someone wants to get into your account or obtain your payment information and monetize that access,&#8221; he told Techopedia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The clever ones make use of current news or worries to exploit the fears and uncertainties of their victims, such as orders that are held up by supply chain problems or refunding charges that the victim doesn\u2019t recall incurring or similar schemes, according to Varshney.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Attackers are now using voice <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/10459\/bot-software-robot\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bots<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to attack users with accounts, making use of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/13657\/multi-factor-authentication-mfa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">multifactor authentication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,&#8221; he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It works like this: The attacker will use the bot to dial the user, the bot will tell the user to enter their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/techopedia.com\/definition\/10301\/one-time-password-otp\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one-time password<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (OTP) on their phone, the attacker will trigger a login event for the user\u2019s account, and then replay the OTP to force a login.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;This attack requires some setup, and it also requires that the attacker has already obtained the password via some other means, i.e., password spraying or from some other data breach, but these are plausible scenarios,&#8221; Varshney said.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These schemes work because they prey on people\u2019s fears and inexperience with fraud and also because they apply pressure at critical points, he explained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Holiday shopping, especially in the midst of a series of overlapping crises related to health and global supply chains, present an ideal opportunity to exploit fears and apply pressure to people who are generally unprepared to respond to it,&#8221; Varshney said.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Respond to Mobile Phone-based Scams<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&#8217;re thinking about the best ways to respond, Varshney says to consider the following points:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Avoid Addressing These Situations on Your Mobile Device<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile device email and browsing give attackers an edge as you can&#8217;t hover your mouse over a link or email address to see the full details in the same way that a desktop client allows.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;If you get an email about a purchase or payment or refund or the like that you don\u2019t recognize, wait until you get home and can look on a desktop or laptop client to address it,&#8221; Varshney told Techopedia. &#8220;Then hover over the sender or reply-to address and see if they look right. Something that claims to be from UPS or FedEx but has a Gmail sender or reply-to address is almost certainly bogus.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Watch for Unexpected or Unintended Activity\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you see a message about a purchase you don\u2019t recall, treat it with suspicion,\u201d Varshney said. \u201cIf you get a push notification on an authenticator app and you didn\u2019t try to log in, don\u2019t give a positive authentication response.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Use Multifactor Authentication\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMost big e-commerce sites allow you to set this up for your account,\u201d Varshney noted. \u201cIdeally, use an authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, Duo, or Auth0, instead of an SMS-based one-time password. SMS-based OTP is of diminishing value, given how easy it is for attackers to subvert or misdirect SMS messages.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest headaches that will be added to these phone-based scams will be attackers leveraging <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/190\/artificial-intelligence-ai\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Varshney said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;From the ability to spoof human voices accurately to the lightning-fast data gathering that will aid bad actors in obtaining personal information to make scams look authentic, consumers need to be more vigilant than ever and utilize some of the above-mentioned safeguards,&#8221; he warned.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;For every new tech advancement, there will always be a predator finding ways to exploit it in order to scam unsuspecting victims.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are five more <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tips on how to stay safe online<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create Strong Passwords and Use a Password Manager<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape, smart habits, including strong password hygiene and using such tools as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/31435\/password-manager\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">password managers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are critical, said <\/span><strong>Raffael Marty<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, executive vice president and general manager of cybersecurity at ConnectWise, a provider of cybersecurity management software for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/143\/managed-service-provider-msp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">managed service providers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Instead of recycling the same password across multiple devices and websites, individuals should aim to use unique passwords for each account and application,&#8221; he told Techopedia. &#8220;Password managers are another powerful tool that allows users to store all passwords for more secure and seamless login experiences across devices.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continually Update Existing Systems and Hardware<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another important tactic is ensuring software and operating system patches and hardware appliances are up to date, according to Marty.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Outdated systems can lead to a sinister chain of vulnerabilities that are entryways for hackers,&#8221; he explained. &#8220;Instead, individuals should update systems, browsers, and apps regularly while also taking advantage of automatic updates when available.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be Vigilant About Monitoring for Suspicious Offers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malicious <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/1352\/uniform-resource-locator-url\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">URLs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are lurking all over the internet in emails, messages, social media posts, pop-up windows, and more, Marty said. Scammers create and distribute these offers and links to attempt to trick users into giving up their personal information and\/or lure them into paying for poor or non-existent goods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;With this in mind, online users should avoid clicking on any suspicious links, replying to the sender, and opening attachments contained within unsolicited emails,&#8221; he said. &#8220;If an offer seems too good to be true, it most likely is.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take Advantage of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Security Checkup<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google offers this feature to help users review and boost the security of their Google accounts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/myaccount.google.com\/security-checkup\/1?pli=1&amp;otzr=1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google security checkup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lets users review and manage various features and security settings related to their Google accounts, such as safe browsing, recent security activities, third-party connections, and saved passwords.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Install Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Install antivirus and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/25873\/anti-malware\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anti-malware<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> software on each device.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure you keep these programs updated and run scans frequently to catch and eliminate any harmful software. You should also be wary of potentially shady sites. See our guides to &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/antivirus\/is-ytmp3-safe\">Is YTMP3 safe<\/a>?&#8221; and &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/antivirus\/is-123movies-safe\">Is 123Movies safe<\/a>?&#8221; for recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"what_is_personal_cybersecurity_and_why_should_you_take_it_seriously\">What Is Personal Cybersecurity and Why Should You Take It Seriously?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal cybersecurity refers to the measures and practices you should take to protect your personal data, financial information, and your digital assets, such as documents, when you&#8217;re online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It involves safeguarding personal computers and mobile devices, online accounts, and online activities from various cyber threats such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/26361\/hacking\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hacking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, identity theft, phishing, malware, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking personal cybersecurity seriously and following <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">personal cybersecurity best practices <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is critical for a number of reasons, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protecting Your Personal Information<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The internet is full of various risks, ranging from hackers and fraudsters to identity thieves. However, by gaining knowledge on how to ensure your online safety, you can effectively protect your personal data, including your name, address, financial information, and social security number, from being accessed by unauthorized parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventing Cybercrime\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2387\/cybercrime\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cybercrime<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is increasing, and if you don\u2019t know how to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stay safe <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online, you&#8217;ll be vulnerable to cyberattacks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Educating yourself about<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> online security<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> protocols, such as creating strong passwords, activating two-factor authentication, and avoiding dubious links or downloads, can greatly decrease the likelihood of falling prey to cybercriminals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safeguarding Your Digital Reputation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s vitally important to be aware of your digital presence and reputation in today&#8217;s digital world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being cautious about online safety can prevent situations that may harm your reputation, such as being a victim of scams, sharing inappropriate material, or participating in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2389\/cyberbullying\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cyberbullying<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By ensuring you maintain a positive digital reputation, you can safeguard your personal and professional life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protecting Your Digital Assets<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s vital to prioritize personal cybersecurity to safeguard your important digital possessions, including photos and documents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don&#8217;t implement adequate security, these assets can be stolen, lost, or compromised.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining Your Privacy Online<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal cybersecurity helps maintain online privacy by protecting your personal data from being collected, tracked, or sold by third parties without consent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It allows you to control your digital footprint and limit exposure to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/30295\/ad-targeting\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">targeted advertising<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or invasive surveillance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safeguarding Against Online Predators<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The internet is a great way for you to communicate and interact with others; however, it also lures in online predators who specifically prey on susceptible individuals, particularly minors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being knowledgeable about online safety lets you be aware of and avoid potentially dangerous scenarios, such as disclosing personal information to people you don&#8217;t know or participating in risky online activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"the_bottom_line\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online security is a never-ending process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That&#8217;s why you must stay alert and keep updated about the newest threats and personal cybersecurity best practices. Following the above <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">internet rules <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can enhance your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cyber safety<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and help you stay safe online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"man_faq_sec\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><\/time><section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">How can I keep my personal information safe online?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">To keep your personal information safe online, you should use strong, unique passwords for your accounts and, if possible, enable two-factor authentication. You should regularly update your devices and software to protect against security vulnerabilities. And you should limit how much personal information you share on social media.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What&#8217;s a good way to keep personal information private online?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A good way to keep personal information private online is to be careful about what you share and who you share it with. Also, be aware of the websites you visit, and don&#8217;t click on suspicious-looking links or download unknown files.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What are five ways to be safe online?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Five ways to be safe online include: Using strong, unique passwords Using two-factor authentication Paying attention to phishing attempts Keeping your software up to date Using antivirus and anti-malware software <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">How can I protect myself online?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">To protect yourself online, you need to create passwords that are strong and unique for your online accounts. And if it&#8217;s available, use two-factor authentication. Don&#8217;t open unknown links and attachments. Update software and devices regularly and pay attention to what you share with others online.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<div class=\"reference-content\">\n<div class=\"reference-heading reference-content-collapsible-heading\">\n<h2><span id=\"references\">References<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"reference-content-body\">\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecurityventures.com\/cybersecurity-almanac-2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2023 Cybersecurity Almanac: 100 Facts, Figures, Predictions, And Statistics<\/a> (Cybersecurityventures)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/myaccount.google.com\/security-checkup\/1?pli=1&amp;otzr=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Security Checkup<\/a> (Myaccount.google)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today&#8217;s digital era, it&#8217;s critical that you take internet safety and computer safety seriously. As people rely more on the internet for such tasks as communication, shopping, and banking, the risks and dangers have also increased. Protecting your personal data and financial information, as well as your online identity, is critical to protect against [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7924,"featured_media":189806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[594],"tags":[],"category_partsoff":[],"class_list":["post-189720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-online-privacy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Stay Safe Online: Expert Advice and Must-Follow Tips<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Safeguard your personal and financial information with expert advice and must-follow tips on how to stay safe online. Read on to guard yourself effectively.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Stay Safe Online: Expert Advice and Must-Follow Tips\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Safeguard your personal and financial information with expert advice and must-follow tips on how to stay safe online. 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