June is National Internet Safety Month!
The internet can be an extremely helpful tool for people of all ages. Whether it’s providing inspiration for a new DIY project, research for a paper, or a platform for connecting with new people and keeping up with old friends, the World Wide Web makes our busy lives just a little bit easier.
While the internet is invaluable, it is important to be aware of the potential threats that it inevitably carries with it. Though these cyber threats may not cause physical damage, they can be extremely detrimental to the parties they affect. According to a study conducted in 2017 by Michel Cukier, an internet hacker attacks every 39 seconds.
Internet safety is a growing issue as the world becomes more and more centered around technology.
Here are some helpful tips recommended by StaySafe.org to maintain online safety:
- Always use strong, unique password combinations with both letters, numbers, and special characters. Do not use something obvious such as your birthday.
- Never allow the server to save your login information for future use.
- Ensure that you have appropriate network protection, such as a firewall, to monitor all incoming and outgoing traffic. Tri-CoGo offers an add-on through the Control Center app called ProtectIQ, that acts as an extra layer of protection while shielding your connected devices from web threats, intrusions, viruses, and malware.
- Do not click on anything suspicious. Many times, internet users are targeted through email by fake deals and offerings from what seems like a legitimate institution. Avoid clicking on any external or embedded links.
- Only visit secure websites. To recognize a secure website, make sure the website is preceded by the letters ‘HTTPS’ and locate the padlock icon next to the URL.
- Set up a two-factor authentication, using a password and text message confirmation.
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