The constant presence of social networks and technologies in our lives raised some problems about online security and privacy. The amount of online frauds is growing and the customers have to learn how to protect their own data, not only from hackers and criminals but also from big companies, as the Cambridge Analytica scandal showed. However, the greatest risk relates to online money accounts like e-commerce portals, betting sites or online banking, since hackers could easily break into a poorly protected account. Here we list some tips to navigate the web in a secure way.
Https protocol
This is an encrypted connection, it guarantees that your data are securely exchanged with the site. You can recognize the https protocol not only by the final “s” in the URL bar but also by the little symbol of a lock just near the site’s address.
Ad-blockers
As you all probably know, these are simple plugins used to avoid identification and tracking by third-party links. They prevent from further navigation which could possibly be dangerous for our privacy. With the new GDPR regulation, it is important to understand the role of cookies and possible requests you receive from the websites. You have the possibility to change this kind of settings.
Attention to licenses and reputation
If you want to buy any service online, check the feedbacks of previous customers could be very useful. In case you want to navigate a casino site, you should pay attention to the terms showed on the homepage, since only the safest betting websites have a national and international license. Regarding an e-commerce website, besides the https protocol, make sure it has a solid reputation and the logos of an important agency such as VeriSign, TRUSTe, and others. As for a banking website, remember that your bank (or any bank) will never ask for your personal data via email, so if you receive such requests you can report a fraud to the Postal Police.
An updated system and a good antivirus are also recommended in order to increase our privacy. But the most important thing during the navigation is common sense.
