Five Great Online Safety Tips for Web Users of All Ages

The internet is a great tool for allowing people to stay in touch with others and is vital for the globalization of today’s economies. But, unfortunately, the internet can also be quite dangerous. Cyberbullying has tragic consequences and becoming an increasingly common part of life for teenagers while identity theft threatens everyone from people who manage their business online to those who visit online retailers. Thankfully, there are several internet safety tips for everyone to use that can help make every online experience a positive one.
Stay Private
In the age of social media, it can be tempting to post all kinds of information. However, you should be careful what you share, and who you share it with. Keeping private information to yourself is one of the smartest and easiest tips for internet safety and it can help prevent most any problem.
Watch Out for Public WiFi
Though it is nice to be able to hop online in your favorite coffee shop, public WiFi networks are not nearly as secure as home networks. As a result, they are often a target for hackers looking to steal information. While public WiFi might be convenient, be careful not to send any important data over them.
Use Complex Passwords
The “password is ‘password'” joke might be funny, but there is some truth to the fact that people use passwords that are easy to remember. But “password,” “12345,” “abcde,” and other simple ones might not offer the level of security you need. Many sites have different requirements, but generally, a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and even symbols is a good idea.
Install Anti-Virus Software
Using security software might seem like the most obvious of internet safety tips for everyone, but there are plenty of computers that are left completely unprotected by their users. Installing anti-virus and malware protection programs will help not only get rid of viruses but block them from getting onto your computer in the first place.
Report Problems Right Away
Whether a teen has been bullied or an adult has had money taken out of their online bank account, reporting problems right away is a must. For teens, it will help minimize the trauma of cyberbullying and is one of the most important internet safety tips for teens. For identity theft victims, it can help make sure lost money is returned.
In addition to utilizing some helpful internet safety tips for everyone, you can also use internet activity monitoring programs and services that help alert you to potential problems. Regardless of the specific methods that you use, safety online should always be a priority.