Safer Internet Day: How To Secure Your Online Identity In The Digital Age

New Delhi (Vishvas News): Online safety is an imperative when the internet is now an indispensable part of life, covering everything from casual chatting to managing your money. But many of us don’t think much of it, or believe it’s something too technical to get into.

Ahead of ‘Safer Internet Day’ on February 7 – it is observed every year on the second day of the second week of February – let’s look at some practical measures to secure our online footprint.

Pay Attention To Password 

This might seem obvious. But that also means it’s often taken for granted. It is essential to create strong, unique passwords for all online accounts. An ideal password is at least 12 characters in length with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. It should not contain personal information that can be easily guessed, such as names, birthdates, or street numbers. A password manager can assist in generating and storing secure passwords. Here is the link to a video where you can get some tips.

Think before you click

Scams and phishing attempts – theft of your data by getting you to clock links – are more prevalent now as the definition of ‘online’ has expanded.

Cybercriminals use these tactics as a means to extract sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals. It is, thus, crucial to exercise caution when receiving emails, messages, or phone calls from unknown sources. 

Do not click on any links or attachments, and never provide personal information. Always verify the authenticity of the sender, and be wary of requests for passwords or such information that may further open up your personal data. 

You can watch this video to know how to prevent SIM or ATM card cloning.

Protect The Device 

In a mobile-first world, smartphones and tablets have become repositories of personal information, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. 

To secure these devices, it is advisable to use strong passwords or PINs for opening the devices. Consider biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition. 

Most modern mobile devices have the ‘find my phone’ feature, which can help track the phone or tablet, or even a laptop. If nothing else, this can help erase all data remotely if necessary, and report the incident to the mobile carrier. You may lose the device, but your data remains safe then.

In any case, passwords for accounts accessed from the lost device should be changed immediately. 

On how the ‘finding’ function works, you can watch this video.

How Social Is Too Social

The advice is rather simple: Be cautious about the information shared online, especially on social media platforms. Let’s try to define ‘cautious’. 

First, sensitive information such as passwords, financial details, and home addresses should not be made public. 

However, to avoid a constant tracking of your data by apps on your device, exercise caution while downloading apps too. Download only from trusted sources such as the App Store or Google Play. Here is a quick video on how important that is.

It’s In Your Hands

Safer Internet Day serves as a reminder to take online security seriously. By adopting simple, practical measures, you can protect yourself from the hazards of the digital realm, which may extend from someone impersonating you for fun to wiping your bank account clean. 

Remember, your online security is in your hands. If done right, it’s not that complex either.