Online Safety
The internet has become an essential tool for communicating, shopping, and learning. Unfortunately, it has also become a popular target for scammers and cybercriminals. In order to safeguard yourself from email scams, harmful software, and identity theft, it's essential that you understand the ways you might be at risk and how to protect yourself.
Staying Safe While Browsing the Web
Your web browser is your gateway to the internet, and it has several built-in features to help keep you safe. Here are some precautions you can take to browse more securely.
1. Check the Web Address (Domain Name)
Malicious websites often use deceptive web addresses to trick you into thinking you're on a legitimate site. For example, they might replace an "o" with a zero or add extra words.
How to Protect Yourself: Before you enter any personal information, double-check the web address in your browser's address bar. Many browsers will highlight the main part of the address, called the domain name (e.g., google.com), to make it easier to spot fakes.
2. Look for the Padlock Icon
When you are about to access a site that handles sensitive information (like a banking or shopping site), look for a padlock image next to the web address.
What it Means: This padlock tells you that your connection to the website is secure and encrypted. This means third parties cannot easily see the information you are sending, like your password or credit card number. You won't see this on all websites, and that's okay, but you should always look for it before entering sensitive data.
3. Keep Your Browser Updated
Browser companies are constantly finding and fixing security holes. To make sure your browser is providing the best possible protection, you need to keep it up to date.
How to Update: Your browser will usually notify you when a new version is available. If you think you've missed an update, you can always check for it manually in the browser's settings menu.
Staying Safe with Email
Your email inbox is another common target for scams. Let's go over the basics of identifying and avoiding harmful emails.
Understanding Spam
You've probably heard the term spam used to refer to junk email. Spammers can send an email to thousands of people at once, and it's important to be cautious when dealing with it.
Spam Folders: Most email services now have built-in spam filters that automatically catch junk mail and move it to a Spam folder. This prevents you from accidentally opening it.
Check Your Spam Folder: These filters aren't perfect. Sometimes, legitimate emails can end up in your spam folder. It's a good idea to check it every so often to make sure you aren't missing anything important.
Marking as Spam: If a spam email does make it to your inbox, you can help your email provider by marking it as "spam." This helps the filter learn what to look for in the future.
Beware of Phishing Scams
Phishing is a specific and dangerous type of scam.
What is Phishing? Phishing is an email that pretends to be from a trusted source, like your bank, a credit card company, or a popular website. The goal is to trick you into handing over personal information.
How it Works: These emails often create a sense of urgency, claiming there is a problem with your account or that a change has been made. They then ask you to "verify" your information by clicking a link they provide and entering your password, Social Security number, or credit card details.
How to Avoid Phishing Scams:
- Be Suspicious: Be very cautious of any email that asks for personal information, no matter how real it looks. Legitimate companies will rarely ask you to send sensitive information over email.
- Don't Click the Link! This is the most important rule. Instead of clicking the link in the email, open a new window in your web browser and type the company's official web address yourself. This ensures you are going to the real, legitimate website and not a fake one designed to steal your information.
- Think Before You Click: Ask yourself: "Would I give this information to a stranger who knocked on my door?" If the answer is no, then don't give it to a stranger who emails you.
Spam, scams, and phishing schemes will continue to evolve, but if you know what to look for and what to avoid, you can keep your inbox and your personal information much safer. The key is to be cautious and to verify before you trust.