How to Protect Your Information When Searching Online

The internet is a wonderful resource, but it can also be a dangerous place if you’re not careful. Cybercrime is at an all-time high in today’s world, which can be highly dangerous for your personal information.

Cybercriminals are smarter than ever, and it can be difficult to know you’re doing to right things to protect yourself online. When you’re browsing the internet, make sure you’re protected and practicing safe-search habits with these basic tips. 

Only visit sites you trust

Of course, you’re bound to stumble upon some new websites when you’re searching the web – after all, that’s what Google is for! But if you’re online search mission is for more than just gathering information – say you’re looking to purchase a product or service, be very evaluative of the sites you discover. If it’s a new website that you’ve never seen before, do your due diligence. Look for reviews, research the brand, look up any social media profiles, and take other steps to verify that they are a legitimate business entity.

This will protect you from going through with a transaction that may ultimately compromise your information. Especially if the retailer or website in questions is offering incredibly low prices, it may be a scam. Do your research before getting out your credit card.

Cover your computer camera

While your computer camera might not have anything to do with your online searching habits, the two are indirectly related. When you’re searching online and using the internet, you’re spending a lot of time on your computer. You may also be logging into personal accounts, such as your email and bank account while you search (it’s called multitasking – we all do it!)

Unfortunately, it’s very possible for hackers today to manipulate the built-in camera on your laptop. In addition, once they access your outward facing computer camera, they may also be able to access your computer screen, including the information that you frequently navigate to. So these sites that you are visiting, including your personal accounts, can easily be hacked into by devious cybercriminals.

To protect yourself, cover the camera on your computer when you’re not using it. This is a simple step to take, but it can save you a lot of issues. Furthermore, avoid this issue also by refraining from plugging strange devices into your computer, which can grant hackers the same access. Only use cords you trust, like koin cable, and prevent this security issue from ever occurring.

Stay away from open WiFi networks

It’s not that open, public WiFi networks are bad, it’s just that there’s a higher likelihood for them to be unsecure. It’s easy to get caught up in mindless searching, checking accounts and more when you’re hanging out in a public place that just so happens to offer free WiFi. Unfortunately, it’s hackers and cybercriminals are able to easily access devices from public, open WiFi networks, so you should never check your bank account information while you’re in a public place and connected to the open WiFi network. Instead, only check these sensitive accounts when you’re at home, or protected by a private WiFi network. This will help keep your information as safe as possible.

Use unique passwords

When you’re navigating around the web, make sure that you’re protecting your information by using separate passwords for individual accounts. Especially if you’re searching on your phone, enable and use thumbprint recognition/identification whenever possible. Having strong, complicated passwords and varied passwords for different accounts can help protect your information because it will minimize the potential for hackers and identify theft perpetuators to be able to steal your information. Again, refrain from entering these passwords into your device in a public place/on a public WiFi network.

In today’s day and age, even search engines require you to create an account to access their full suite of products and services. Be smart about your passwords for search engines, since they are so deeply connected, and always log out of your account after executing your searches. Yes, it will take you an extra minute to re-enter your password each time, but it’s worth it for the long-term privacy and protection benefits.

Use-two step verification for logins

In addition to practicing safe password habits, you should also consider using two-step authentication for logins whenever possible. Two-step verification helps protect your information, should someone penetrate the first layer of your security system. The two-step verification requires your authentication from a secondary device, usually your cell phone, which will help your information stay even more safe and protected. If you do it with no other platforms, be sure to enable two-step verification for your email accounts as well as your financial accounts.

Avoid filling out unnecessary forms

So many different websites, whether they are content sites or shopping sites, are chomping at the bit to get your email information so they can get you on their email list. This is usually fine, but just being wary about forms that you encounter online. Avoid filling out any forms that require highly personal information – you should imagine anything that you enter in these forms being able to be returned in search results, so don’t enter anything that you wouldn’t want to be public knowledge.

Nowadays there is legislature and regulation around email collection, and making sure that businesses are protecting your information, but you should still take extra steps to protect yourself.

If you do fill out forms, you will likely start receiving emails from that website, so be extra evaluative of how you interact with those emails, especially if they are from a new company.

Keep your web browser cleared out

You may not realize it, but most Web browsers keep track of every single website you type into the address bar. Therefore, you should periodically clear out your web history, and clear your cache. Do this for privacy’s sake, but it will also help your computer system running at top speed, as a secondary benefit.

We live in an information age, and more information is available to use than ever, but unfortunately, cybercriminals are well aware of that, and all too eager to exploit it. Protect yourself and your personal information when you’re searching online with these practices. Use good judgment when you’re searching online – if something seems shady, it probably is. Search safely and protect yourself.

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