It’s a brand new year and I thought it’d be apt to run you down an almost cliché list of security tips to make sure you stay safe online, especially around the holidays. Let’s get started.
1. Check (and recheck) web addresses.
With website cloning becoming as easy as ever scammers seem to have taken their game to the next level. Most people don’t really pay attention to the address they visit as long as the site looks familiar. Amaz0n.com might look similar to Amazon.com but it’s not Amazon.com. Watch out.
2. Use Ad-Blockers
I recommend using an ad-blocker only because it keeps most people out of trouble than anything else. Malicious ads are everywhere and ad-blockers help keep them out of sight so you’re not tempted to click on “You’ve won an iPad for FREE”.
3. Use Site Advisors
There are plenty of extensions and plugins for chrome and firefox that will notify you of the reputation of the site you’re visiting. They usually display a green check mark against websites that are safe or a red X mark if the site is harmful.
4. Avoid Pirating and Visiting Shady Looking Websites
Websites hosting pirated content, torrents and other warez are hotbeds of malware and phishing scams. In fact many such sites are run by master hackers and scammers. Avoid them like the plague even if 11 year old Tommy says you can download PS5 games for FREE!
Extra Tip– Media companies like Time Warner and Comcast have been known to log IP address of users downloading pirated content and then send them a pretty much “See you in court” notice. I’m guessing you don’t want to go down that road.
5. Don’t save credit card information Online
With data breaches at large consumer companies occurring left, right and center it might be a good idea to re-evaluate who you give your credit card information to. Not every shopping site that has fancy security stickers posted all over it is secure. If Yahoo, Adobe and Apple can get hacked, danschristmascookies.com (I totally made that up :-D) doesn’t stand a chance.
6. Restrict in-app purchases on App Stores of your Android and iOS devices.
If you haven’t enabled App store restrictions on your mobile devices by now you’re either rich or plain ignorant. My cousin blew through $80 of in-app purchases last Christmas playing a popular game on my sisters iPad. Until I told her about asking Apple for a refund and showed her how to restrict purchases on the app store that kid was grounded.
7. Outsmart Phishers
My rule of thumb though is if you ever get an email you’re unsure of with a link asking you to change or update your password because of ‘security reasons’, don’t click the link, just go to your settings and change your password.
8. Stay in the Know
Keep yourself up to date with all the happenings in tech. In today’s day and age ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is foolish and expensive.
I agree – it is a great newsletter, and brilliant site for all kinds of tech information. Thanks to all of your wonderful team!
I have an iMac apple computer, will I be able to use the things that I order from Worldstart, I have been with you for many years. Please let me know.
Thank you,Connie
It depends on the item. Software is not generally Mac-compatible unless it says so. There’s a lot less Mac software out there than Windows software because Windows runs on about 90% of machines. Things like USB drives will work, but you do need to always check for Mac compatibility.
Cynthia, I wanted to compliment you on this important article. It is very well worded, understandable, and its format tacitly reminds us that keeping alert for potential threats is a continuing user responsibility. Thank you very much! John Anderson