Ever since the Safer Internet Day back in 2004, Internet security experts have been advising people on how to improve their online and browser security and how to adopt safe surfing habits. The primary intention of this “event” was to raise awareness on online threats and to help people understand that building the Internet safer is everyone’s responsibility.
People find surfing the web a source of fun and enjoyment. At the same time, they don’t pay that much attention to their online security and the risks they are exposing themselves to. On the other hand, threats are very real, and you should definitely do something about them.
This is why we give you 5 common browsing habits that can expose you to security threats. Avoid them, and enjoy safer and more convenient Internet browsing.
Using the Same Password
An average digital consumer had 3 accounts back in 2012. Today, this figure has risen to a staggering 7. This means that an average Internet user has to use and remember 7 passwords. It has become too hard to remember passwords for dozens of websites that require registration. No wonder that the most popular passwords are “123456” and “qwerty”.
Nobody says that you should remember all of your passwords by heart. This is why password manager software was developed. You should definitely abandon your poor password habits and give the password manager a try. You will only need to remember a single password while the login process on your online accounts will become automated.
Not Paying Attention to Browser Updates
The companies that developed the Internet browsers are very well aware of the latest security threats. This is why they quite often release updates to patch the security holes and protect the privacy and improve security of their users. Sadly, people regularly disregard update push notification thus severely compromising browser security.
If you are using Google Chrome, then you don’t have to worry as it company handles the updates automatically in the background. For the rest of you, make sure to update your browser whenever the update notification pops up. The updates will take care of security vulnerabilities but also improve user experience by patching memory leaks and tuning up performance bottlenecks. Fortunately, LogMeOnce automatically checks for browser updates every time you log in, and if needed, it will ask you to update before you can proceed.
This also applies to the plugins you are using. The plugins may also pose a threat to your security so make sure to regularly check the plugin management page in your browser and to regularly update them. The latest versions are always the most secure to use.
Disregarding the Scripts
This may come as a surprise for you but a majority of websites that you use on a daily basis run their code on your computer. This code is JavaScript and web developers commonly use it to improve your browsing experience. But you should also know that JavaScript is very powerful and some people use it to write malicious code that can compromise your privacy as well as security.
The first ones in the line of shared responsibility are web developers who have to do everything in their power to keep their website clean and secure for browsing. On the other hand, you should keep your browser updated and perform regular scans for malware. In addition, you can install browser plugins that will enable you to turn the JavaScript on the website you visit on and off.
Accepting “Cookies” Like They are the Actual Ones
Since websites that use cookies are instructed by law to inform their users that they are using cookies, chances are that you’ve already heard about them. But do you know what they are? And why are they regulated by law in many countries? Cookies are files issued by a website and they reside on your computer.
They are used to store numerous information ranging from your browser type and online habits to your account info and location. You should not fall into despair because cookies cannot hack the data you have on your drive. They can only store the data that is inside your browser.
If you want to work on your cookie privacy policy, you will have to decide which website you trust enough to allow it to issue cookies to your device. Since meddling with user information in any way goes under the privacy issue, all website have to inform users that they are using cookies. In addition, they have to put their Privacy Policy online so that you can read it and decide whether you want their cookies or not. If you would like a more private browsing experience, you can always start using one of the most secure browsers.
Clicking on the Suspicious Links
Links make our lives much easier and people with malicious intent play this card rather often. Clicking on a suspicious links can get you in real trouble and severely compromise your browser security. It can get you on websites filled with malware code or make you exposed to ransomware that encrypts all of your data.
The rule of the thumb is not to open any links that you receive unless you have specifically asked for them. This especially applies to links that you receive via email. Hackers quite often use emails to send phishing links to people in order to hijack their online accounts. If you see any important notifications in your Inbox that contain a link, it is better not to click on it but to directly go to the website you have registered the account on and to check what’s going on.
Malicious and suspicious links may also be hidden in the flashy, attractive and sometimes provocative banners. Such as those “You’ve won $1,000,000. Click Here to Claim your Reward!” or “We’ve Detected Virus on Your Device. Click Here to Clean It!”. You can catch our drift. Make sure you don’t fall for this oldest trick in the book.
If you want to stay anonymous on the internet and improve your online security, make sure to avoid these 5 common browsing habits. If this topic has picked up your interest, feel free to explore other viable, safe internet browsing practices shared by other fellow surfers.
All in all, LogMeOnce is rather helpful. With its password-less authentication, and its military-grade encryption technology, you can rest assured that you will be protected.
