When you are reading e-mail or browsing online, be on the lookout for suspicious links and deceptive web pages, which are major sources of malware. Also be careful when selecting browser plugins, apps, or other downloadable files since they can introduce new vulnerabilities. Here are some suggestions to make your day-to-day online browsing more productive, safe, and secure.
- Keep your browser software up-to-date. Make sure your Anti-virus program is getting regular updates. Also web browsers and plugins like Adobe Flash and Java are constantly being updated.
- Be more secure! Make sure a URL includes HTTPS before entering any personal information like passwords or account data.
- When in doubt, ignore. Don’t click on pop-up windows or extraneous ads. You can be on a legitimate site like iBerkshires but the ad content on the sides may be coming from malware sites.
- Keep your private information safe. Use a strong, unique password or passphrase for each account, and avoid storing account information on a website. Consider using separate browsers for sensitive logins and general web browsing.
- Use private networks for sensitive transactions. Avoid checking your bank account, making purchases, or logging in to other websites that include sensitive information when using unfamiliar or public Wi-Fi.
- Go stealth when browsing. Your browser can store quite a bit of information about your online activities, including cookies, cached pages, and history. To ensure the privacy of personal information online, limit access by going “incognito” and using the browser’s private mode.