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On a global scale, it is estimated that a little over 4 billion people on our planet have access to the internet. Though the benefits are many, such as the accessibility of knowledge and information like it was never seen before, the chance to communicate and meet with people, and the expansion of business opportunities, clearly it has its downsides as well. It is well known that our information is available to almost everyone, making us quite vulnerable. In the text below we’ll discuss the ways you can enhance your online experience and we’ll mention how you can protect yourself and your privacy.
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Similar to what George Orwell predicted in his novel 1984, the search engine Google acts like Big Brother, completely aware of any entry we make and all the information we access. Though we have the option to see our search history and “delete” it, it stays somewhere in some data storage practically forever. Even the so-called incognito mode does not protect you, because your information is still known to your internet provider. A little piece of advice is trying to change the search engine you are using. Try the ones currently on the market which are add-free and even block viruses and sponsors. The thing with engines is they heavily rely on sponsors and ads and sell your info to the highest bidder, therefore go for the ones which restrict these possibilities.
Protect your network
One of the ways you could save yourself from such a scenario is by using a virtual private network (VPN). The catch is simple: a virtual private network hides your IP address. Have in mind that your Gmail account owns information like passwords, credit card numbers, and various accounts. Therefore, a piece of advice is to use this tool to protect your online activity, making it almost impossible for any criminal to access your data and information. A VPN practically creates a kind of stable and secure connection between you and your computer, any information input is encrypted and transferred through a kind of secure tunnel, camouflaging your address and making you invisible.
Limit Your Social Media Activity
Social media has taken the world by storm. Everyone, from the older generation trying to reconnect with friends and family to youngsters meeting up and having fun, is influenced by the power of this virtual world check the internet statistics to learn more. Social media accounts have become an extension of our personality giving everybody a view into our lives. What we like and don’t like, where we went, what we eat and with whom we spend time.
The catch is, try not to put everything on social media. Protect yourself from prying eyes and anyone you could maybe abuse the information you so willingly shared for everybody to see.
Also, do not be too secluded as many employers first check your social media account before an interview. It could help you land the job you want.
Antivirus
Try always having an antivirus on your laptop or desktop. Never think of it as unnecessary, as many viruses are hidden as Trojan horses and can devastate your computer. Nowadays, there are vast options, with many being completely free, or offering even free trials. Though they usually do not have that level of protection like the ones you pay for, having any kind of protection is better than having none at all.
Clickbait
Be cautious, in one word. Everyone has at least received some email telling them they can become a millionaire or have a chance to become one. Also, we came across the ads by the side of or down below lurking us to click them and see if there is something we can get for free. Never open such emails, never click on such ads which seem fishy even the slightest, because most of them are just viruses nicely packed as presents or will allow somebody to access our computer.
Your phone is a target
People on average look at their phones more than 40 times during the day. Scrolling through social media takes up about two hours of our precious time, and answering emails, sending pictures, or taking selfies is about the same. They make up most of our lives, and therefore it is highly encouraged to secure them. First, use a password, fingerprint scanner, or face recognition, anything that can protect you if your phone gets stolen. Have a strong protection software installed, though many manufactures already install one the moment you buy the device. When paying for anything via your phone, make sure the connection is secure and that you are buying from a reliable source.
The vast ocean of the internet can be resourceful and dangerous at the same time. It depends on how you manage it and use it. Follow some of the advice given and you’ll feel safer.
