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Minimizing Your Vulnerability to Online Security Risks [Infographic]

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Got a problem? The internet probably has a solution for it. People today refer to the internet for most of their needs. This increased reliance on the internet leaves them prone to online security risks.

Minimizing Your Vulnerability to Online Security Risks

Hackers and other criminals on the web are always looking for their opportunity to attack. Millions of people around the world fall prey to security threats while browsing the internet.

But you don’t have to be another statistic. There are plenty of proven ways to stay one step ahead of hackers when browsing online. Here are some tips:

Choose Your Browsers Wisely

There are dozens of web browsers all competing for your attention. You are at liberty to choose any of them, but security should be at the top of your list of factors to consider.

Different web browsers have different security protocols implemented to keep users safe from emerging online threats such as phishing and tracking. They perform and rank differently in this category.

The most reliable and secure web browsers are Google’s Chrome, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox. They are not only more secure than most other browsers but also more convenient and advanced.

Also, be sure to update your browsers whenever there is a new release to stay one step ahead of hackers.

Beware of phishing

Phishing is another common technique that hackers use to steal your vital data. It mainly involves the use of bogus emails and websites masquerading as real ones.

They will try to trick you into keying in your credentials and record them when you do so. They can then use this information to get into your private online platforms.

For instance, phishing is a common way to get access to passwords to social media sites and even banking portals such as PayPal.

There are numerous phishing techniques that hackers use, so it is important to always be on the lookout. At the very least, always double-check any prompt on your email or browser to ensure that the sender is indeed legitimate. Learn more about phishing email.

Check the Validity and Credibility of Websites you Visit

The most basic thing you can do to ensure your safety when browsing online is to check the credibility of the sites you visit. This can easily be done by inspecting their web addresses.

Secure websites usually feature the prefix HTTPS, which stands for hypertext transfer protocol secure. This may also be accompanied by a green lock. It ensures that all data transmitted via the website is encrypted and not useful to any would-be eavesdroppers.

Avoid websites that simply start with HTTP and WWW if you intend on transferring sensitive data over the website.

Use a Password Manager

Your log-in credentials such as usernames and passwords are keys to any private accounts you may have online. They should always be kept safe and private. However, it is often the case that you have too many passwords and other credentials to remember.

Most people solve this by giving their web browsers permission to remember their usernames and passwords. This is convenient but risky as this exposes your sensitive credentials to hackers.

If you absolutely have to store your password on your computer, then do so on a password manager. This is a secure program that is designed to store sensitive data and keep it beyond the grasp of hackers.

Most password managers are free and easy to use – you just need to remember the manager’s password to get access to all the other log-in credentials you use.

Use a VPN When Using Public Networks

Public Wi-Fi is convenient and free but hardly ever secure. Hackers can easily eavesdrop on your data transmissions using simple tools as most public networks are often unprotected. To this end, it is recommendable to always use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi.

VPN stands for virtual private network. This means that your particular connection to the internet is private at all times, even if you are using public Wi-Fi.

The VPN encrypts all the data coming and going to/from your computer. This then ensures that eavesdroppers get nothing but gibberish if they attempt to hack you.

VPN also has many more security features including preventing tracking by masking your IP address. Features, however, vary from one service provider to another.

As security gets more complex, additional options that integrate VPNs become available. For example, Aura is a comprehensive digital security platform that is open for early access.

Their goal is to integrate many types of security protections into one easy-to-use solution. With the IoT planning to link anything and everything, this becomes increasingly important.

Keep Trackers Off Your Scent

Your online footprint is valuable data and multiple parties are always keeping track of all your online activities. Tracking is common, but that doesn’t mean that you should tolerate it.

There are several ways to keep trackers off your back when browsing online. Start with the basic: enable the ‘Do Not Track’ feature on your browser and turn off cookies.

This should keep most trackers off your back. However, some websites may refuse you access if you choose to turn cookies off. Luckily, there are many ways to browse privately.

Another way to keep trackers off is by browsing in incognito mode – this will ensure all your data is deleted once your session ends.

A VPN is also effective here as it hides your identity, essentially making all your browsing private. It is also recommended to create separate users’ profiles on your browsers dedicated solely for browsing social media sites.

What Online Security Risks Are You Taking?

Use the tips above to reduce your online security risks. You are the only person who can! What else can you do? See the infographic below for more tips:

Featured Image: Shutterstock / By Khakimullin Aleksandr

Note: originally published 1/2/19; updated 5/1/20 to add infographic and improve SEO and readability; updated 4/6/21 to add new options for security.

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Ryan Kh

Ryan Kh is an experienced blogger, digital content & social marketer. Founder of Catalyst For Business and contributor to search giants like Yahoo Finance, MSN. He is passionate on covering topics like big data, business intelligence, startups & entrepreneurship.
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Comments

  2. No doubt security is a very essential part of our life in every aspect … thanks for sharing such a best informative post…

    Reply

  4. Cyber crime is really a threat to people like us who can’t secure themselves on online. In this pandemic every business is shifting to online form one way or another. It is the perfect time to learn about online security risks. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🙂 I really appreciate it.

    Reply

  13. VPN also provides high security and protection if we don’t want someone watching us or spying our log or data. so we can also use that VPN surely. Unblock or break all the restriction through this we can also see our all favorite content and their Servers are highly optimized for P2P file sharing and Torrenting many more etc.

    Reply

  14. Thanks for sharing this security information with us. these are really a helpful information thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us. keep your good work.

    Reply

  16. Oww, What a fabulous article you made this actually well working. I very appreciate your hard work. Your information effect on my daily life. Security is the essential for home and office.

    Reply

  18. hello Ryan!! Hope you are doing good!!

    Well, I too have been exposed to various online security risks too. Be it browsing, downloading software, and even transactions…This post is well written and has best described the minimization of online security risks…Keep up the good work..

    Reply

  20. hello Ryan,
    great article, thanks for sharing,I also recommend using a good anti-virus like Malwarebytes or Norton,

    Reply

  21. Great article! We do need the internet in the world we are now living in but I think is becoming more and more scary. We all need to use the internet in a responsible way so it cannot harm you.

    Reply

  22. Your post is just right on time cause i really need more information about how to avoid risk when transacting online. good article, love your writing and thanks for sharing

    Reply

  23. security issues on internet are growing day by day it is very scary that people even can hack you laptop mobile even cameras you have provided an awareness by blog great work well done

    Reply

  24. Security online is difficult because of the ever-changing internet and scammers learning new techniques daily, but it is definitely important and something to stay on top of for email, databases, and websites. It’s definitely worth investing in some protection services, even for a small business with a small budget, because a little investment up front can save you from a lot of headache and more expensive problems later on.
    Loretta would love you to read ..Are You Ready for Better Website Hosting Services?My Profile

    Reply

  25. Hai Ryan Kh..,
    What you are said in this post is absolutely correct. Nowadays almost people can depend on internet for any information. For finding solution for any problems regarding daily things also all are using internet and for shopping purpose also we are using net banking. But most of the people don’t know about hacking and other security attacks. In this article has so much valuable information about security while using internet browsers.
    Thanks for sharing such a nice and impressive tips.
    keep writing and sharing this type of articles.

    Reply

  27. The risk from the virus should be taken care of because it can cause a lot of damage to the website.
    Great post, more such post should be shared in order to spread awareness.

    Reply

  30. Hey Ryan,

    You have done a great job. Your article has every bit of information about security risk and that is very helpful. I am following you past one month and your article content really helpful for me. Thanks for sharing with us valuable things.
    Oliver Jake would love you to read ..Happy Birthday ImagesMy Profile

    Reply

  31. This article came on time, recently many of my friends got hacked because they never cared to protect themselves. Especially dangerous thing is browser plugins, i don’t recommend to use any, this is the easiest way to stole ur data.

    Reply

  33. You are right if we get any problem, the internet has probably the solution for it. People use internet for searching information and getting internet. But here are some threats relying on the internet increase the chance of online threat and hackers can hack us. I read the points which you mentioned how we can minimizing vulnerability to on security risks. These tips are genuinely great and it can secure us from cyber attack, I bookmark your blog. Thanks for your great job. I want to contribute to your website, Can I write some more interesting articles. about cyber security risks etc.

    Reply

  36. Ya, its really true information nowadays all peoples must have an online security system.

    I hope this blog useful for many peoples. Thanks for Sharing this post and Keep up the good work.

    Reply

  37. Thanks Ryan, very informative. We actually got hacked last year, my colleague doesn’t want to use a password manager. He would prefer for us to enter the information manually which i understand as we don’t know enough about password managers!

    Do you have any recommendations for trustworthy password management software?

    Thanks again,

    Nick
    Nick would love you to read ..How To Find Competitors Keywords On AmazonMy Profile

    Reply

  45. Great post. Security is one of the best consideration to protect privacy but we often place a low priority it. You have demonstrated the key points of the security which is really helpful for everyone. Thanks for your great job.

    Reply

  49. Security is the big issue on internet and you have shared such a great tips to avoid such security issues are really great.
    Want to give a big thank for sharing articles like this

    Reply

  50. Wow, really i am very happy in the sense of learning some helpful stuff which I can’t get elsewhere. Thanks for sharing your ideas on Internet security and from now onwards I will be more careful to keep me safe in online presence.

    I am gonna subscribe to you now! so that I will get you updates directly to my mail

    Reply

  51. Cyber security issues are something even we at Pest Control Land o’ Lakes have to deal with on a daily basis. This article had some great content I’m going to share with our IT guys!

    Reply

  53. Thanks for discussing about such an important topic here because secuity matters a lot today over internet. We are a website designing company and I can understand that how much people scared about the security over internet and your tips are really helpful for al of them to take care from their side.

    Reply

  55. Hello Ryan!
    Online Security Risks are such a great threat to us especially in the case of tracking and phishing. But the ways you suggested can be implemented easily and taken care of . So thanks for writing on this topic.
    Thanks!!!

    Reply

  56. Hi Ryan,

    These are great tips to increase online security, I also recommend using a good anti-virus like Malwarebytes or Norton, they help notifying you when you come across a dangerous website.

    Thanks again for this great post.
    William Denver would love you to read ..Xmails ReviewMy Profile

    Reply

  58. hello Ryan Kh,

    My Name is Raghuveer Singh Kumawat

    I like your site and your work.Good luck and tons of best wishes. God bless you in whatever you do. This is my heartiest wish just for you.

    Thank you……

    Reply

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