Why Is Internet Security Important?
What Is Internet Security?
Keeping yourself safe online is not just about downloading the right tools against phishing and fraud. Internet security is also about being savvy on the internet and making sure whatever information you give, you are giving to trusted organisations and you do not download or open applications or emails that might be suspicious. Like you would in the real world, keeping safe in the digital world is about being wary of anything out of the way.
Is My Digital Privacy at Risk Without Internet Security?
It is really important to understand that any data that you put online is useful for companies and for criminals. This is not to say that anything bad happens if you put your data out there, but it is good to be aware that many of these "free" services, especially social media, are not really "free". For legitimate companies such as Facebook or Google, they use your data to help target personalised ads and improve the user experience. For cybercriminals, they want to use your data for more nefarious reasons.
Who Might Want To Compromise My Internet Security?
Social media companies generally want to keep your data safe and secure as part of the regulations and for the interests of trust. However, there are many cybercriminals, scammers, and computer viruses that might want to compromise your internet security. With your data, criminals can find out important information about you and use it against you. For example, they can use your phone number to call you about a problem with your computer to try and scam you.
What Are the Main Internet Security Risks Online?
Knowing what internet security threats are out there is important for identifying any potential fraud or scams that might try and take advantage of you. These threats are a large list, but they mostly fall under any kind of suspicious behaviour that you might come across.
- Cookies: Cookies are small pieces of data stored on your computer by websites you visit. They can be useful as they remember your preferences or login details. However, some cookies, such as third-party cookies, might track your online activities across different websites, meaning your data privacy could be compromised. These can also use up a lot of mobile data if you are on your phone.
- Computer Viruses and Worms: These are malicious software programs (malware) designed to replicate and spread to other computers. They can be transferred through email attachments, malicious downloads, or infected USB drives. Once on a system, they might damage files, slow down the computer, or steal your data. These can even cause your broadband to go down or lose WiFi signal.
- Phishing: Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers by posing as a trustworthy entity, often via email or by text. The link takes you to a fake website, and any details you enter are captured by scammers.
- Pharming: Similar to phishing, pharming redirects users from legitimate websites to fraudulent ones without their knowledge. This is usually done by corrupting the website's domain name or by modifying the user's computer settings.
- Adware: Adware is unwanted software that displays ads on your computer, often in annoying pop-up windows. While some adware are usually harmless, others can covertly track your online activities to serve targeted ads or redirect your browser to unsafe websites.
- Spyware: Spyware is software that secretly gathers user information through the user's internet connection without their knowledge. It can monitor web browsing habits, capture keystrokes, and gather other personal information, leading to a breach of privacy and potential identity theft.
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What Are Some Typical Online Scams?
Online scams come in all shapes and sizes, but some are more typical than others. The majority of scams will involve trying to get access to your bank account information in order to steal from you. Here are the most common types of scams and how to recognise them:
| Scam Type | Signs | How To Protect Yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Banking | Emails asking for card details and PIN to "unblock" account or "verify" information | Banks never contact first for this information. Double-check email address legitimacy. Call your bank on a trusted number to verify and report |
| Government Schemes | Texts or emails pretending to be official links to add bank account information when government rebates are announced | Governments publish guidelines on rebate payment methods. They will almost never request bank details via text or email |
| Romance | Fake dating app profiles requesting money, playing on emotions to guilt senders into payments | Never give money to someone you have never met in person. If they ask for large sums, it is likely a scam |
| Holiday | Fraudsters pose as holiday destinations or fake Airbnb rooms that do not exist or differ from descriptions | Check reviews from previous travellers. Verify on Google to confirm legitimacy |
| Job | Illegitimate job offers requesting upfront training fees or personal information; job may not exist | Verify company legitimacy by checking website, location, and reviews on Glassdoor |
| Lottery | Pop-ups or emails claiming you have won a phone or large money sum; requests to hand over bank details | Unless you entered a lottery, pop-ups are almost always scams. If it is too good to be true, it is |
| Computers | Scammers call about computer needing update or broadband line check; claim virus or slow connection | It is rare for providers to contact about faults. You typically must report faults yourself |
How Can I Best Protect Myself Online?
What Internet Protection Tools Can I Use?
- Antivirus Software: Very standard for Windows computers. The program will scan your entire system to make sure there is nothing suspicious that might be affecting your data safety. You can even set it to scan automatically so you do not have to remember to run it.
- Two-Factor Authentication: As an extra safety step when logging into an online account, you might get a code on your phone or through an email to confirm that it is you accessing the account. This is a popular security feature with online banking.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN is like a secure tunnel for your internet connection. When you connect to a VPN, your online activities are encrypted and routed through a private server, making it difficult for anyone to see what you are doing online or trace it back to you. This tool is especially beneficial when using public WiFi.
How Can I Protect My Bank Details Online?
Bank Account Information: Generally speaking, your bank account information, such as your IBAN, account number and BIC/SWIFT code are generally safe to hand over. With this number, someone can only set up a direct debit which you have full control over. You can even do a chargeback on any money going out of your account without your permission.
Bank Card Details: Your sensitive bank card details are another story completely. Your card number, CVV, and expiry date are much more risky to hand over. As a general rule, you want to avoid giving these over the phone or on a website without being absolutely sure which company you are talking to.
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What Should I Do With My Passwords?
Keeping your passwords secure is one of the most important things you can do online. Here are some recommended options for managing your passwords:
- Secure Keychain: Apple and Google can securely store all your passwords in an online keychain that is protected by your account password. This means you do not have to write any down and only you will have access to them. They can also auto-generate ultra-safe passwords for you to use and remember them for you.
- Secure Notes App: If you prefer to keep track of your passwords in a single file, you can put them in a notes app on your computer or phone. Make sure it is a notes app that you can secure with a password so you only need to remember one.
- Physical Notebook: If you prefer an old-fashioned method, you can keep a physical notebook of your passwords and keep it in a safe place. This is not the most recommended since you might lose the notebook or it might get stolen, but you can always keep it locked away securely.
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