When using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, playing an online casino real money platform, or simply reading the news, a secure Internet connection is essential for safety. The following 10 tips from AV-Test Lab experts will help you easily avoid online threats and allow you to use Internet services and devices without security problems.
1. Use the Latest Version of an Anti-Virus Program
Many comprehensive antivirus programs offer effective protection against Trojans, viruses, and other malicious applications. A combination of antivirus protection, a firewall, a spam filter, and other tools will protect computers, smartphones, and tablets from additional threats from the Internet, such as hacker attacks. To read about the most effective products according to the results of the latest tests, visit our website in the Anti-Virus Reviews and Tests section.
2. Timely Updates
Online attacks usually target security flaws in operating systems, browsers, and popular applications. With updates, developers are constantly eliminating vulnerabilities in their products. This is why it is important to regularly update programs, including antivirus. Protection products are constantly updated about malware detections on the Internet. Updates for Android, macOS, and Windows must be performed regularly and in a timely manner.
3. Use Secure Passwords
When choosing passwords, users should be creative and should create different passwords for each account! Secure passwords should be a minimum of 8 characters. The most secure combination includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Free password managers are also very useful when managing a large collection of passwords. Naturally, no one should know your passwords.
4. Encrypted Connections for Secure Data Transfer
If possible, use encrypted connections every time you visit an online store, online banking, or email service. The address of encrypted connections begins with “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP. In addition, browsers show a padlock icon on secure connections.
5. Observe Precautions When Using Public WI-FI Networks
Public Wi-Fi networks are very practical when you want to go to a site for a short time or use your smartphone to determine your current location. However, they are not suitable for online banking or transmitting sensitive information. The user cannot know who is administering the network and what security measures are in place. That is why it is recommended to perform financial transactions on a secure home network and avoid accessing important accounts if possible if the device is connected to a public access point. If you must do so, use virtual private networks (VPNs). In this case, all transmitted data will be securely encrypted.
6. Be Careful How You Handle Personal Information
Personal information provided to websites and applications is often disclosed and even sold to third parties. This is why users should provide as little personal information as possible, filling out only the required fields. Usually, the data processing policy is stated in the general terms of use or in the privacy policies of online services, programs, and applications.
7. Beware of Freebies
When using free applications and web services, users should always ask themselves how the information they provide can benefit the developers. Very often users “pay” to use free apps and services with their personal information, which is monetized by the service providers. For example, the user can receive unwanted advertising on the specified phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
8. Use Reliable Sources
Files, programs, and applications should only be opened or installed if they are downloaded from trustworthy sources. The latest versions of browsers and antivirus warn you about potentially dangerous resources. It is better to install applications from the official application stores Google Play, App Store, or the Windows App Store.
9. Back Up Your Data Regularly
There is always a risk of data loss, even if your device is not lost, stolen, or destroyed. In the case of ransomware Trojans, backups can reduce the risk of ransomware attackers. You should regularly back up important data to external drives using specialized programs. Some backup programs are distributed free of charge.
10. Properly Delete Data
Before you throw away your computer, phone, hard drive, or flash drive, you need to properly delete all data. Deleting data using your own Windows, iOS and Android tools is not an effective measure, because in this case, you can restore the information. Specialized programs that perform multiple overwrites with a random set of data, which makes recovery attempts unsuccessful, can help safely remove the data. Many file shredders are distributed free of charge.
