Rules of Netiquette
With hacks, scams, malware and more,
the Internet can feel like a dangerous place these days. And, the recent
proliferation of devices, from smartphones and tablets to Internet-connected
appliances, has opened us up to even greater risks.
✖First
name
There is a risk in sharing your first name. Chances are, a hacker may already know plenty of stuff about you even if you only give out your first name.
There is a risk in sharing your first name. Chances are, a hacker may already know plenty of stuff about you even if you only give out your first name.
✖
Last name
If sharing your first name is a small risk, having both your first and last is more risky.
If sharing your first name is a small risk, having both your first and last is more risky.
✖
Middle name
Sharing your middle name alone is probably not the most risky of these shared information, but sharing your full name would be.
Sharing your middle name alone is probably not the most risky of these shared information, but sharing your full name would be.
✖Current
and previous school(s)
Most people who steal identities study their subject. They can use the information for verification purposes.
Most people who steal identities study their subject. They can use the information for verification purposes.
✖
Your cellphone number
Your cellphone number should never be posted over the internet. The internet is a public place. It is the same as posting your number on a billboard.
Your cellphone number should never be posted over the internet. The internet is a public place. It is the same as posting your number on a billboard.
✖
The name of your mother & father
Risky, yet not as risky as posting their full names, especially your mother’s maiden name.
Risky, yet not as risky as posting their full names, especially your mother’s maiden name.
✖The
name of your siblings
Disclosing this is a huge risk. Strangers may pretend or use their identity to dupe you.
Disclosing this is a huge risk. Strangers may pretend or use their identity to dupe you.
✖
Your address
Giving the internet your number is one thing; giving them your address is a whole other level.
Giving the internet your number is one thing; giving them your address is a whole other level.
✖
Your home number
This shared information is more risky than sharing your personal number.
This shared information is more risky than sharing your personal number.
✖
Your birthday
Having it in your profile makes you vulnerable to identity theft.
Having it in your profile makes you vulnerable to identity theft.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE
✖
Be mindful of what you share online and what site you share it to.
✖ Do
not just accept terms and conditions; read it.
✖ Check
out the privacy policy page of a website to learn how the website handles the
information.
✖ Know
the security features of the social networking site you use. By keeping your
profile private, search engines will not able to scan your profile.
✖Avoid
logging in to public networks/Wi-Fi. Browsing in “incognito (or private) mode”,
a feature of the browser, will not protect you from hackers.
✖ Do
not talk to strangers whether online or face-to-face.
✖ Avoid
downloading anything from untrusted websites. You are most vulnerable in
peer-to-peer downloads as the download is a most likely monitored by the site
owner.
✖ Do
not share your password with anyone.
✖ Add
friends you know in real life.
✖ Never
post anything about a future vacation.
✖ Do
not reply or click links from suspicious emails.
✖ Install
and update an antivirus software on your computer. Use the only one anti-virus
software to avoid conflicts.
✖ If
you have Wi-Fi at home, make it private network by adding a password.
✖ Buy
software; do not use pirated ones.
✖ Avoid
visiting untrusted websites.
Very informative huh ! Can I assure that I am 100% safe if I will be following all of that ?
ReplyDeleteGiven the rise of cybercriminal activity in recent years, the need to stay safe on the Internet has never been more pronounced. Most people believe all they need to be secure online is to have an antivirus program and do frequent back-ups, but the truth is, cybercriminals know lot of ways around these. What really keeps you safe is the ability to recognize online threats and how to avoid them, and this is why netiquette is so important. You may not be a hundred percent sure safe but following the rules of netiquettes can avoid and prevent you from harm.
ReplyDelete