Online Safety - Some hints and tips.

[Admin]

Online Safety - Some hints and tips.

What you have to understand is that by far and away the biggest threat to your online safety is actually the person (sitting) at your device's keyboard.

Scammers and spammers cannot do anything unless you interact with them in some way, whether that is via email, phone calls, infected websites or infected apps. etc..

Absolute priority - make sure you have a good, and well maintained anti-virus on your device.

Don't click on links in unrecognised emails or messages.

Don't download attachments from unrecognised emails or SMS texts.

Don't automatically open images in emails.

Don't reply to spam emails, not even to say "go away" (politely). That identifies your email address as genuine and active - far more valuable to spammers. Also avoid "out of office” replies for the same reason.

There is a massive market amongst spammers for email addresses, valid and currently in use addresses are far more valuable to them.

Assume that a spammer somewhere already has your email address (because they probably do) so be wary of all unsolicited correspondence.

Don't "unsubscribe" from anything you never subscribed to in the first place, particularly if you don't recognise the source.

Don't believe phone calls that say you have a problem on your PC (or whatever). No reputable organisation (ISP etc.) will make unsolicited calls to you about problems. Never, ever, install software (particularly remote desk top management software e.g. Teamviewer) on your PC at the request of an unsolicited caller. Don't dial 1 or 5 (or anything) - just hang up, they can be very, very persuasive if you talk to them.

Change the admin password on your router.

Don't accepts permissions on apps if you don't understand why they are being requested.

Only download apps from official apps stores.

Don't accept friends’ invitations from total strangers - they probably have an agenda.

Sites say they don't sell your personal details, but that doesn't mean they don't use the data themselves, be careful what you tell and to whom, they are often enabling targeted marketing opportunities (for themselves).

Consider installing an adblocker, that will avoid many tracking cookies being installed and it will also speed up your web browsing.

Also consider a product such as CCleaner (but only the genuine Piriform version) to help manage cookies and general junk on your device. Devices are more efficient and responsive if kept “clean”.

Too late for most, but consider using a separate email address for your social media interactions.

Learn to be cynical and suspicious - it pays in the long run.

And curb your curiosity - it is what the scammers etc. depend on, you are responsible for your online security, don't just rely on others.

Any issues or queries just reply via this thread on The Information Portal. Good luck and happy surfing (or whatever).


And always remember - "If you are not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product. 😄 "