The internet is a wonderful place. On your computer you can watch videos, talk to people you love, play video games, watch multimillion dollar movies and so much more. The modern internet age has opened up so many opportunities for people from all over the world to create and share content and talk to people from all over the world. Even in more serious areas like the political sphere, the internet has been transcendental.
Through the internet, people have found jobs, friends, loved ones and entire livelihoods. Point being that the internet is an amazing place to be at if you’re in hunt of opportunities. However, the internet is also possibly the scariest place to be at. Since there are so many people on the internet, it’s crucial to make sure that you’re keeping yourself safe.
Just like the real world, in the computer world, there will be people looking to take advantage of you over the internet. In such a scenario, it’s important to know how to handle yourself and how to make sure that you are not scammed by the people looking to get something out of you. Here are some tips you should follow to keep yourself safe from scammers on the internet:
ONE - Being aware of Phishing Scams
Phishing refers to a normal looking email with a scam link. You might be scrolling through the internet on your laptop and get a random email with a promo code, and if you click on the link, the sender may get access to personal information of yours.
Pharming refers to a normal looking website with scamming intentions. You may find a random link in a website which may look normal to you, but if you click on it, the person behind the scam could get access to your personal information. If you can see these and keep away, your stay on the internet would be very successful and relatively safe.
TWO - Avoid using public computers
Public computers can be a blessing for people who don’t have access to a personal computer. What could be more convenient than going to a public place and paying a little fee to get your work done? While this all sounds good, it’s important to note that public computers can often be a hub for a lot of scams.
If you find yourself in need of a public computer, just make sure that your personal information is not open on the computer.
THREE - Always using password protection
While this may seem like a simple tip, it’s also something which is not always followed. Take this as a reminder to always password protect any website that is important to you with a quality password. Not just the same simple computer password used over and over but a good solid password. Consider using a password manager to keep everything safe.
If you have any doubt about whether you've been scammed or tricked into using a website that was more than it appeared to be, please give us a call!
https://www.chnz.co.nz/blogs/phishing-computer-service