Personal Technology Information

10 Tips to Stay Safe and Secure Online


The Internet can be a dangerous place.

While you're enjoying the convenience of online shopping, Internet banking and subscription websites, nasty people lurk around every corner.

Hackers, fraudsters, identity thieves and many others would love to get hold of your personal details.

And what stands between you and a security disaster?

Your password.

Just 8 little characters long, it's your last line of defense online. Here are 10 tips for choosing and using bullet-proof passwords that will protect you from harm:

Tip 1 - Avoid the obvious

Passwords based on personal details are too easy to guess. Avoid using names, places, favorite sports teams, or "password".

Tip 2 - Make it non-dictionary

One option a thief might try to crack your password is a brute-force dictionary attack. Choose something that you won't find in any dictionary.

Tip 3 - Use the full 8 characters

The more characters a password contains the more secure it becomes, so fill that password field to the max.

Tip 4 - Mix the case

Deter thieves further by using a combination of upper and lower-case letters. A mIXeD cAsE password adds another layer of protection and is ever harder to guess.

Tip 5 - Include non-alphabetic characters

Adding numbers and non-alphabetic characters (like a hyphen) to your password makes it less likely to be cracked than something purely alphabetic.

Tip 6 - Don't write it down

This should be obvious but it's amazing how many scraps of paper surround the world's PCs.

Tip 7 - Assign a different password to each login id

If thieves get hold of your password, they'll try it in every online system available. Use a separate password at each website and you won't have all your eggs in one basket.

Tip 8 - Employ a password manager

Remembering multiple secure passwords can be challenging. Specialist software like http://www.robo-form.com manages your passwords securely and automates the login process.

Tip 9 - Logout when you're done

Always hit the logout button when you've finished using a secure site like online banking.

Tip 10 - Close that browser

Web pages and passwords can be cached in the browser, so close down your browser window for added security.

Follow these simple common-sense tips and you'll enjoy greater online security while benefiting from the many advantages the Internet has brought.

About The Author

Steve Robson is a successful technical author and contributor to 'How To Buy A Laptop.com' - the definitive online guide for buying a laptop computer. Check out: http://HowToBuyALaptop.com


MORE RESOURCES:

05/18/2024
US Official Warns a Cell Network Flaw Is Being Exploited for Spying
Plus: Three arrested in North Korean IT workers fraud ring, Tesla staffers shared videos from owners’ cars, and more.


more info


05/17/2024
Six-Word Sci-Fi: Stories Written by You
Here's this month's prompt, how to submit, and an illustrated archive of past favorites.


more info


05/17/2024
The 43 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
“City Hunter,” “Suzume,” and “Spaceman” are just a few of the movies you should watch on Netflix this month.


more info


05/17/2024
The 46 Best Shows on Netflix Right Now
"Dead Boy Detectives," "Chicken Nugget," and "Ripley" are just a few of the shows you need to watch on Netflix this month.


more info


05/17/2024
There’s New Hope for an HIV Vaccine
A trial vaccine has succeeded in generating low levels of antibodies needed to target HIV. It’s a first but much-needed step toward preventing infection.


more info


05/17/2024
The Race to Buy TikTok Is On—but There Might Not Be a Winner
Investors are interested in buying TikTok so that it can avoid a US ban. But even if ByteDance accepts, a takeover will be far from simple.


more info


05/17/2024
OpenAI’s Long-Term AI Risk Team Has Disbanded
The entire OpenAI team focused on the existential dangers of AI has either resigned or been absorbed into other research groups, WIRED has confirmed.


more info


05/17/2024
Elon Musk Finally Puts Twitter Out of Its Misery
Twitter is fully x.com now. Given its transformation since Elon Musk bought it, that may be a small mercy.


more info


05/17/2024
The Best Coolers for Every Kind of Outdoor Adventure
We chugged chilled beverages to bring you our favorite coolers for every situation.


more info


05/17/2024
It’s Time to Believe the AI Hype
Some pundits suggest generative AI stopped getting smarter. The explosive demos from OpenAI and Google that started the week show there’s plenty more disruption to come.


more info


05/17/2024
The Best Cheap Phones for Almost Every Budget
There’s little reason to pay top dollar for a smartphone. These iPhones and Android devices—ranging from $150 to $500—stood up to WIRED’s testing.


more info


05/17/2024
How to Use ‘Circle to Search’ on an Android Phone
There's a new, AI-powered way to search on Android. All it takes is a swish of your finger.


more info


05/17/2024
The 25 Best Outdoor Summer Deals From REI’s Anniversary Sale
It’s the best time of the year to pick up all the tents, stoves, sleeping bags, and gear that you’ll need for summer fun.


more info


05/17/2024
Netflix Isn’t About Flicks Anymore
And it’s not just Netflix—Max, Disney+, and even YouTube are also turning their attention to series, sports, and shorts.


more info


05/17/2024
The 11 Best Early Memorial Day Mattress Deals
Sleep starting to feel less like a luxury? It might be time for a new mattress, and they’re often discounted.


more info


05/16/2024
Amazon Is Hosting a Massive Book Sale
Ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcover editions are deeply discounted through May 20.


more info


05/16/2024
Google’s AI Overviews Are Here, Whether You Want Them or Not
Google’s new Gemini-powered search experience is rolling out to users in the US. Here’s some advice on how to navigate it. And if you want to turn AI Overviews off, too bad.


more info


05/16/2024
How Twitch Streamers Could Shape the 2024 Elections
WIRED talked to political streamer Hasan Piker about Joe Biden, the youth vote, and his advocacy for Gaza.


more info


05/16/2024
The 35 Best Shows on Max (aka HBO Max) Right Now
“Hacks,” “The Jinx,” and “Conan O’Brien Must Go” are just a few of the shows you need to be watching on Max this month.


more info


05/16/2024
Tesla’s Controversial Factory Expansion Is Approved
After anti-Tesla activists clashed with police in Germany last week, local councillors today backed Elon Musk’s plan to make Tesla’s only European Gigafactory even bigger.


more info


05/16/2024
Russian Disinfo Campaign Blames Ukraine for Shooting of Slovakia’s Prime Minister
A seemingly coordinated campaign playing out across X, Telegram, and state-run media blames Ukraine for the attempted assassination of Robert Fico—something for which there is no evidence.


more info


05/16/2024
Jane Schoenbrun Wants to Blow Up Your TV
Growing up, director Jane Schoenbrun escaped into shows like “The X-Files” and “Twin Peaks.” Their new movie, “I Saw the TV Glow,” is about the relief, and danger, of getting lost in screens.


more info


05/16/2024
RFK Jr. Is Priming His Audience for Election Denialism
Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign—and his life’s work—have laid the groundwork for supporters to blame his inevitable loss on an elite conspiracy.


more info


05/16/2024
Which Nanoleaf Smart Lights Should You Buy?
Nanoleaf has some of the coolest smart lighting panels around. Here’s how to choose the right one for your home.


more info


05/16/2024
Lab-Grown Meat Is on Shelves Now. But There’s a Catch
A store in Singapore is selling lab-grown chicken, but it contains only 3 percent animal cells.


more info



home | site map | contact us