{"id":182357,"date":"2022-01-25T16:24:59","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T15:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=182357"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:58:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:58:26","slug":"easy-free-ways-to-be-safe-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/easy-free-ways-to-be-safe-online\/","title":{"rendered":"6 easy and free ways to be safe online"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, you&#8217;ve bought yourself a lifetime subscription to the latest top-of-the-range, cover-everything <strong>cybersecurity suite<\/strong>. Awesome.&nbsp;Now you can just click and download to your heart\u2019s content without worrying about a thing, right? Wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may have the greatest<strong> security software <\/strong>known to humanity, but you still have to do your bit. There&#8217;s always the human element, and it&#8217;s usually the weakest link when it comes to online security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A list of the best security software deserves its own article. There are lots of easy <strong>things you can do to protect yourself<\/strong> from online security threats. Armed with a little technical knowledge and some good habits, there&#8217;s every chance you&#8217;ll avoid serious issues. Want to find out how easy it is to <strong>keep yourself safe online<\/strong>? Read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Email<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of us are inundated with <a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/downloads\/email\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">emails<\/a> on a daily basis, while others have a far lighter flow. Either way, it only takes one well-crafted <strong>fake email<\/strong> to cause considerable damage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s take a look at the threats that can drop into your inbox, and how to spot the danger before it&#8217;s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"263\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/11-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-1.jpg\" alt=\"5 easy and free ways to be safe online\" class=\"wp-image-182358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/11-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-1.jpg 512w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/11-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-1-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/11-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-1-150x77.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the sender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look closely at the <strong>email address<\/strong>. The logo may be very convincing, and the sender\u2019s address may only be one character different from the official one they\u2019re pretending to be.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, take a quick look at these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>no-reply@amazon.com<\/em><br><em>no-reply@amazoan.com&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get my point? You can also help protect yourself from email scams by <strong>asking yourself the following questions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Do I regularly receive emails from them?<\/li><li>Have I recently interacted with them via their website or made a purchase?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you&#8217;ve answered &#8220;No&#8221;<\/strong> to one or both of these questions, why would they suddenly send you an email now? These are all indicators that the <strong>unsolicited email <\/strong>you&#8217;ve received isn\u2019t what it appears to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beware of links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you receive <strong>links embedded in an email<\/strong>, there are two things you can do. Firstly, <strong>hover your mouse over the link<\/strong> (without clicking) until a small caption box appears. The caption will show the address of the page that the link leads to. Look carefully at the address, and if you have the slightest doubt, don&#8217;t click on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Secondly, you can <strong>open your browser<\/strong>, go to the homepage of the supposed sender of the email, and <strong>navigate directly to the page<\/strong> that the link in the email claims to be leading to. It&#8217;s a straightforward way of avoiding the hazard of potentially dangerous links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Question attachments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>malicious email attachment<\/strong> could be harboring all kinds of malware: viruses, Trojans, spyware, and ransomware are just a few of them. Before you open one, there are a few things you can check &#8211; without needing great technical knowledge. Here are a few of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What&#8217;s the <strong>file extension<\/strong>? Sometimes, malicious attachments have unusual ones.<\/li><li><strong>Are you expecting an attachment <\/strong>from the person or company that appears to have sent the email? You can always call them to check.<\/li><li><strong>Look at the filename<\/strong>. If it&#8217;s got a strange name or consists of a garbled string of digits and characters, delete the email.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Free file downloads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you download from peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, you\u2019re relying completely on your <a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/downloads\/pc-security\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">security software<\/a>. <strong>P2P downloading<\/strong> used to be extremely popular for free downloads of music, movies, and software &#8211; mainly because people tend to like free stuff. Unfortunately, due to the nature of P2P, there&#8217;s always a considerable risk that something you download could have <strong>malware bundled <\/strong>with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nowadays, <strong>subscriptions for services<\/strong> such as <a href=\"https:\/\/amazon-prime-video.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon Prime<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/spotify.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spotify<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/netflix.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Netflix<\/a> are so accessible and offer such excellent value for money that it doesn&#8217;t make sense to risk infection from P2P downloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"401\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-2.jpg\" alt=\"5 easy and free ways to be safe online 2\" class=\"wp-image-182359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-2.jpg 401w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-2-238x134.jpg 238w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-2-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-2-304x170.jpg 304w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-2-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Good browser habits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are our top <strong>five tips for browsing the internet safely<\/strong>. Some of them may take an extra few moments of your time, but it\u2019s nothing compared to the consequences of falling victim to cybercriminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Use<strong> two-factor authorization<\/strong> whenever possible<\/li><li><strong>Keep an eye on the URL<\/strong> in your browser address bar &#8211; even on your search homepage<\/li><li>Use a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/best\/vpn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>VPN<\/strong><\/a>, especially when browsing via public networks<\/li><li>Use a <strong>unique, complex password<\/strong> for each of your logins<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t use <strong>passwords that include personal information<\/strong> that could be guessed<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"408\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-3.jpg\" alt=\"5 easy and free ways to be safe online\" class=\"wp-image-182360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-3.jpg 408w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-3-300x115.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-3-150x58.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Biometric security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These days, we do far more on our portable devices than ever before. It&#8217;s convenient to be able to do things like pay our bills and <strong>transfer money<\/strong> while you\u2019re out for a coffee. But what happens if you lose your device?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having to <strong>unlock your device biometrically<\/strong> adds an almost infallible layer of security to your phone, tablet, or PC. It&#8217;s highly unlikely that someone finding your phone will be able to imitate your<strong> iris pattern or <a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/downloads\/fingerprint-security\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fingerprint<\/a><\/strong> in order to access your device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, an increasing number of apps give you an option for biometric login. However, there are still plenty of programs that don&#8217;t give you that option. Apps with biometric security are <strong>more common on cell phone apps<\/strong> than desktop PCs. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s a great idea to enable biometric login (for example, Windows Hello) on your tablet or desktop device (if it has it). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The<strong> best policy <\/strong>is to place <strong>biometric protection<\/strong> on your <strong>device and all apps<\/strong> that make it available. If unauthorized individuals can&#8217;t unlock your device, they can&#8217;t get online using your identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"5 easy and free ways to be safe online\" class=\"wp-image-182361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-664x374.jpg 664w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-238x134.jpg 238w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-436x246.jpg 436w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-304x170.jpg 304w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Fake Technical Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you remember how at the beginning of this guide I said that the <strong>weakest link in online security<\/strong> is the human element? Well, guess what? Cybercriminals know that too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They call and try to convince you they\u2018re from one of the major firms like Microsoft, Google, or Apple. They say that their system has detected a vulnerability on your PC, and they need to <strong>access it remotely<\/strong> to apply the fix. <strong>Don\u2019t fall for it<\/strong>. Genuine companies don\u2019t make unsolicited calls offering help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"5 easy and free ways to be safe online\" class=\"wp-image-182362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-664x374.jpg 664w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-238x134.jpg 238w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-436x246.jpg 436w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-304x170.jpg 304w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/5-easy-and-free-ways-to-be-safe-online-5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Mobile security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Until now, I\u2019ve described risks and solutions in broad terms. All that advice is applicable to whatever kind of device you\u2019re using. However, due to their nature and popularity, there are some risks that are more prevalent on <strong>cell phones<\/strong>. Let\u2019s dive into four of the biggest mobile risks to your mobile internet safety.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sideloading APKs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although this advice is just as applicable to iOS, I\u2019m going to focus on Android devices and apps. That\u2019s because being the most widely-used mobile operating system, it\u2019s a <strong>bigger target<\/strong> for digital ne\u2019er-do-wells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A couple of quick definitions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Sideloading<\/strong>: When an Android app is installed from somewhere other than Google Play Store.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>APK<\/strong>: (Android Package): An Android app that\u2019s been \u2018repackaged\u2019 and made accessible from outside of Play Store.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you create APKs, they can be <strong>downloaded<\/strong> from <strong>outside of Google Play Store<\/strong>. The main problem lies in the fact that they can very <strong>easily be bundled with malware<\/strong>. Google <strong>checks the security of every app<\/strong> before it enters the Store, but if you download one from anywhere else, you don\u2019t get that level of security. You could end up installing malware on your cell. Unless you\u2019re an app developer, it\u2019s best to keep away from APKs and stick to the Play Store for your apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/Y9LjRojmjD-V-X6M06tuYH8kIkYnN2IBhbhXh5vtqAEoowipSynJW6-3l1RYGuzFjUB3cw3P4AQsC-eXMfRnIQfN8DHcz9fVUHm6v-ox9lJpTEBa8whqRRH5SpfRN2PFotvbSLme\" alt=\"Image result for Android Apk Icons\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mobile Payments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These days, cell phones are the electronic equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. We use them for everything possible. Have you ever heard the expression \u201cThere\u2019s an app for that\u201d? There probably is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most cells are equipped with NFC (<strong>near field communication<\/strong>), which can be used for making <strong>contactless in-store payments<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The vast majority of people find it extremely convenient to <strong>wave their phone over a pay point<\/strong>. Rummaging around in your purse or your pants to retrieve your credit card is <em>so<\/em> twentieth-century! Why go to all that trouble when you can just grab your phone from your pocket and make a payment in a heartbeat? You guessed it: Security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technology in your <strong>bank card\u2019s little gold chip <\/strong>is the same tech that enables your cell phone to <strong>charge wirelessly<\/strong> and transfer data via NFC. You may not have realized it, but it\u2019s <strong>safer to make contactless payments with your card<\/strong> than with your phone. The reason is your phone\u2019s increased connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone knows that as soon as you connect a device to the internet, it\u2019s at risk. That means when you <strong>wirelessly transfer your payment details<\/strong> from your cell to the in-store payment terminal, someone could <strong>hack into your connection <\/strong>and steal your information. The reason is that a chipped bank card doesn\u2019t have an independent internet connection, it only becomes active when you hold it close to the scanner for payment. Furthermore, the frequency it works on is different from that of a cell phone\u2019s internet connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/3Y_w8Gh9oAy1491zV_Z4FrQZF0HJCRSxVnMUjmOI-ryb58h6hsfK49Gw80c4-Y8EoX52r34MEvCCa7eKB4vZPGo3tPd2u7cQ5-J-omfmpwhWopEvs66Vym7OenHB5IBJOf6Mc4lG\" alt=\"Image result for contactless payment\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lost and found<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What do you do when you <strong>lose your bank or credit card<\/strong>? You call the issuer to <strong>report it missing<\/strong> and they cancel it immediately. If someone finds your card they can, of course, try to use it for contactless payments \u2013 they may get lucky and find it before it\u2019s canceled. The key thing is that all they can learn about you from your card is your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine you haven\u2019t followed my tips, and you <strong>lose your unsecured cell phone<\/strong>. Someone could get unfettered<strong> access to all your personal information<\/strong>, contacts, passwords, and anything else you\u2019ve got saved in unsecured apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/XSEtK2k4LhoqTEuJ7RFSvCKgYwJxSdUnO5nm4wREsku8CLZg6S3YNCANSDdQ2_x38tz881ll4ccWdDkJhzQepoV8KeG_RXMCWwjHARQjirdumwnO7Tugcg5r8uTpNH9siz8tidoQ\" alt=\"A close up of a wood surface\n\nDescription automatically generated with low confidence\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Social media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sheer portability of a cell phone lends itself perfectly to <strong>frequent and convenient interactions<\/strong> on your social media accounts. The thing is, it\u2019s easy to get carried away and &#8220;over-share&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should be cautious about <strong>what information you share<\/strong>, when you share it, and where you are when you share it. If you post detailed contact information on your profile, you could be setting yourself up as a target for scammers \u2013 think back to those bogus tech support calls I mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Displaying your address on your profile<\/strong> means that as soon as you post that you\u2019re enjoying a wonderful holiday in foreign climes, you\u2019ve created an equally wonderful opportunity for burglars who know you\u2019re not going to be home for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much is made of how social media companies <strong>use the data they gather<\/strong> from subscribers, but it\u2019s your choice if you hand over totally unrestricted access to everyone online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/mRbalZvNzGn9Ol7Oh3jphm2W4Na9uKl9hISapEE5z6mbiduzpVHO54DMOH1IRqDDdg1LS8iuDJsgqg4Yje9kf9vjM9YnV5eQMhEsrvRtGKgcZmcV9j78ZE2DNgjvF-2Apo8jllXs\" alt=\"Image result for burgler\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It\u2019s not what you do, it\u2019s how you do it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look, we know we\u2019re living in a &#8220;mobile-first&#8221; world, but there\u2019s a lot to be said for the good old desktop when it comes to online security. I\u2019m not trying to make you give up your mobile device (heaven forbid), but the comparison table below contains some points to ponder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td><strong>Desktop<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Cell<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Peripherals<\/strong><\/td><td>Easy to hover the mouse over a suspicious link to check its validity.<\/td><td>No mouse.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Networks<\/strong><\/td><td>Usually used in a specific location on a known, secure network.<\/td><td>Frequently used on public networks which can be less secure.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lost and found<\/strong><\/td><td>You can\u2019t mislay a desktop.<\/td><td>Constantly on the move in public places.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Device Authentication<\/strong><\/td><td>Authentication is required on your cell to prove that you\u2019re the one logging into a site on your desktop.<\/td><td>On-device authentication can be useless if your phone\u2019s already fallen into the wrong hands.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/0p-puj4mzDxwyv2oZL5VAdxyK7pai_wktq7GlirHkYoDbIZhy28Tl3Un3pZFNeTPNxBROaGKKOTcxN_Zab-XljHl2MYdaeV_58gRvsYsvQJDR7Kpt8amCg3Fkb8Qdmlz8fOv2NuF\" alt=\"Image result for old desktop computer\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Be vigilant and remain safe online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Staying safe online requires a combination of great security software and human awareness. It\u2019s the same as your home security system. It\u2019s <strong>only effective if you set it upright<\/strong>, use it correctly and<strong> follow basic security protocols<\/strong> yourself: the best system in the world won\u2019t work if you leave the front door open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We&#8217;re realistic enough to understand that in the constant battle between internet users and cybercriminals, there\u2019s never guaranteed safety. <strong>What we <em>can<\/em> guarantee <\/strong>though, is that if you research and invest in a top internet security suite, follow our tips, and keep your wits about you, you can minimize the risks and enjoy your online activities in relative safety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So, you&#8217;ve bought yourself a lifetime subscription to the latest top-of-the-range, cover-everything cybersecurity suite. Awesome.&nbsp;Now you can just click and download to your heart\u2019s content without worrying about a thing, right? Wrong. You may have the greatest security software known to humanity, but you still have to do your bit. There&#8217;s always the human element, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/easy-free-ways-to-be-safe-online\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;6 easy and free ways to be safe online&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9228,"featured_media":182363,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[2518,2441],"tags":[],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-182357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","category-how-to"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9228"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182357"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":324496,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182357\/revisions\/324496"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182357"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=182357"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=182357"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=182357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}