Without even realizing it, simple things that you do throughout the day, every day, can and probably are putting you and your devices at risk. The internet connects us all and it has come to a point that we can’t function in daily life without using the internet in some way or the other (most of us, anyway). Most of our communication is done online, over apps, we access the latest news and entertainment on our phones, tablets, or PCs and laptops, and we even shop online.
Ten or twenty years ago, it might have seemed a bit far fetched if we were to tell someone that we’d be watching most of our television series on devices like tablets, laptops, or even mobile phones instead of on TV in 2020. Yet, here we are, connected almost 24/7, in some way or the other.
Being connected like this has its perks, but it also comes with its risks. We need to be aware and take precautions so that we don’t make ourselves vulnerable online. Staying aware should become a habit that we need to incorporate into our online and offline behavior. Stay safe and take note of the following 5 things you do every day that make you vulnerable.
Opening Emails from People You Don’t Know
Ever heard of phishing? This is when people send fraudulent emails purporting to be from someone reputable so that they can receive personal information like credit card numbers and passwords from the email recipient.
You might think that you’re savvy to the old story of so-called Nigerian princes who seduce people with millions of dollars in exchange for a few hundred or thousand so that they can get the money to you. That’s a scam that might still happen, but phishing emails have evolved and continue to evolve. A simple rule to follow is to never open an email from someone – or an organization – that you don’t know. If the sender is unfamiliar, it’s best to delete the email. If you must open an email from an unfamiliar sender, make sure to not open attachments that came with it, or click any links contained in the email. If you’re second-guessing yourself and feel that this email could actually be important from someone who’s legit, go to Nuwber and do a background check to find more information about the sender.
Neglect Installing Security and Software Update on Your Devices
They might seem like a pain, but those software updates that pop up on your devices are for your own safety. They keep your device’s operating system updated so that everything runs smoothly, including new apps and features, but they also include many patches for flaws in your device’s security. You’ve got to remember that hackers will always try to beat the security on a device or system, so these security updates keep up with new malicious techniques and programs that can leave you and your sensitive personal information vulnerable.
Additionally, ensure that you install the latest version of antivirus software. These are not just for your PC or laptop anymore. When purchasing antivirus software, you’ll find that the license allows you to protect your mobile phone and tablet, too.
Filling Out Online Forms
You need to make sure that hackers or malicious software can’t gain access to your device or system but have you thought about who you send your information to?
Being alert and aware online means that you have to be careful about who receives your personal information. It’s become almost common knowledge that many websites collect information about you and your online activity and sell it to third parties. Sometimes this happens without your permission, and sometimes you might even agree to their terms and conditions without realizing what you’ve agreed to. Before filling out an online form and plugging in your phone number, physical address, and email address, find out what a site intends to use your information for.
Connecting to Public Wi-Fi Networks
You might raise your eyebrows to this one, especially since we all love using free public Wi-Fi. It’s easy, it gets you connected, and you can keep yourself connected while sipping on a flat white at your favorite café.
The truth is that security on public Wi-Fi networks is generally quite low, which means that hackers don’t have as much trouble getting into public Wi-Fi networks (and in turn, those like us who are connected to that network) as they do with private Wi-Fi networks.
It’s also really easy to duplicate commonly-named public Wi-Fi networks. So, sometimes you might think you’re connected to your local Starbucks’ Wi-Fi, but you could be connected to something more shady, where someone (or something) on the other end is capturing your logins.
So, if you have to connect to a public Wi-Fi network, don’t do any online banking or shopping, for example, and consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Sharing Geotagged Photos on Social Media
Sharing the most exciting thing going on in your life at that precise moment or something more sentimental can help you to rack up those likes and maybe even generate a conversation. It’s all innocent fun, but your phone might be geotagging your photos with data about exactly where and when you took them
How well do you know all your followers? You might not know it, but you could be sharing your home address with someone who knows how to access that data from the photos you post (it’s not as difficult as you might think).
How can you keep that information private? Your smartphone has an option to disable geotagging on the photos you take. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the social media platforms that you’re posting to don’t have access to your location at all times. Some of these platforms automatically include your location when you post, but you do have the option of turning this off if you’re sharing a photo or a status from a sensitive spot.