SAFE SURFING ON THE INTERNET
Due to the current age, the internet has become a communication tool, a source of information, a social tool and a repository of our personal information, including our identity information, which we can access at every point of our lives and even cannot stay apart. Although it makes our lives much easier, the internet also brings some negativities to our lives due to security vulnerabilities if not used correctly. Today, web browsers have become a repository for credentials, cookies, internet searches and other sensitive information that cybercriminals can target. Browser security is a component of the broader concepts of cybersecurity and computer security, which cover topics such as online behavior and network security. We spend a large part of our lives online. Here are some of the internet security threats we may encounter during this time.
Hacking activity, which refers to unauthorized users gaining access to computer systems, email accounts or websites.
Viruses or malware (known as malicious software) that can damage data or leave systems vulnerable to other threats.
Identity theft incidents, where criminals can steal personal and financial information.
Individuals and organizations can protect themselves from such threats by following these steps to internet security.
Creating a Secure Password
Many websites, such as our personal social media accounts, our profiles on shopping sites or our Google accounts, ask us to create passwords because they contain personal information. A secure password can be used to restrict access to these sites that contain information that hackers or cyberbullies want to access. A strong password contains upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. A password that contains your identifying information (date of birth, surname, etc.) does not create a secure account. In addition, using a different password for each profile, site and account and changing our passwords on the platforms we use periodically makes our accounts more secure.
Recognizing Secure Sites
One of the important points we need to pay attention to for our safety on the Internet is to check the reliability of the sites we click on.
How to recognize a secure site?
The symbols next to the web address give us information about the site.
Safe
Information or Not safe
Not safe or Dangerous
The letter “s” in the “https://” plugin in the Domain section indicates that there is an SSL certificate in the https protocol. This certificate is a certificate that confirms that the site is secure.
Paying Attention to Downloads
One of the most common methods of cybercriminals is to access your information by making you download files, programs or applications containing malware to your computer or phone. The most basic way to prevent this situation is to download applications, files or programs that we are sure of their content from reliable sites.
Permitted Access
Many websites and applications ask us for access permissions for various purposes. These places where we share our camera microphone or personal information prepare the basis for cyber criminals to access information. Being aware of the information we allow access to, avoiding unnecessary sites and applications, and being conscious about protecting our security in this regard is an important step in protecting our personal data.
Antivirus Program
Antivirus programs are software designed to detect, process and delete viruses that have infected our computers in various ways. Using a reliable antivirus program helps minimize the negative effects of malware.
Attachments via E-Mail and Messages
Another way for cyber criminals to send malware to your computer is through attachments and links in emails and messages that we use frequently in our daily lives. We should not open e-mails and messages from accounts we do not recognize, and we should not click on attachments and links we are not sure about.