As one of the benefits of the new millennium and the development of information technologies on the Internet, one can note the opportunities for making transactions and communicating online; at the same time, one should not forget about the main drawback—Internet fraud. From fake emails, fake websites, and data breaches to identity thefts, fraudsters seem to be devising new ways of ensnaring innocent users. The good news? It’s not rocket science to protect yourself.

Below are ten easy tips to protect yourself while using the internet:

1. Always Pick a Strong and Different Password

One of the easiest and yet most neglected aspects of security is the use of passwords for different accounts. Do not use information that can be easily guessed, such as your name or birthday. Use both upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols, as well as a longer password. First and foremost, do not reuse the same passwords for the same accounts; in the case that one gets compromised, it will affect all the other accounts.

2. Facilitating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication makes it a little more difficult for someone to get into your account. Even if someone hacks into your account and gets your password, you cannot log in without a confirmation code sent to your phone or e-mail. Make 2FA for all your important accounts, including banking and your mail.

3. Beware of Phishing Attempts

It should also be noted that phishing is one of the most effective types of Internet fraud. Fake websites pretend to be legitimate organisations to get you to reveal your identity. Be wary of the sender’s email address, do not open any links that look dubious, and do not provide any information that you are not certain should be given.

4. Check Your Bank Statements Often

Always ensure that you go through your bank and credit card statements often. This way you will be able to notice unauthorised transactions when they are still small and not when they are big enough to make a huge hole in your pocket. In case you find something that looks rather shady, do not hesitate and inform your bank.

5. Do not use public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.

Public Wi-Fi is the enemy of cybersecurity. Do not use it for financial transactions such as banking or purchasing of commodities or any other activity that will require personal details. If you have to connect to public Wi-Fi, use a good VPN because it will encrypt your data to protect it.

6. Keep Your Software Updated

Having old software is like having a door left open to anyone who wants to get in. Make sure that your operating system, your applications, and your antivirus are up to date to fix the issues. Make sure to activate the automatic update to guarantee you are shielded against existing threats.

7. Shop Only on Trusted Websites

One should be very careful when ordering through the internet and should only patronise established web addresses.Do not click on ads that state they are offering unbelievable deals—they are normally fake. Scammers may also use the site’s name to open fake websites to gain your payment details. 

8. Reduce the Amount of Information Posted on the Internet

Do not provide private details on any social networking sites or any other website you have an account with. Data such as your address, phone number, or mother’s maiden name are all useful if the crook wants to steal your identity. Use the privacy tab and set the privacy level so that only the people you want can see the information you post.

9. Many people should consider themselves lucky if they have never received unsolicited calls and messages.

If a person calls you and he or she claims that he is a representative of your bank, a tech support personnel, or an official of a government department, then enquire about the call. First of all, no legitimate organisation will request an account’s password or one-time PIN through a phone call or email. Hang up and call the organisation using official telephone numbers and not through the helpline.

10. Educate Yourself and Others

The only weapon against internet fraud is enlightenment. Be aware of the new tricks in the market and pass the information to your loved ones. The reason why many people lose their hard-earned money to these fraudsters is that they are not in a position to know what to do.

Final Thoughts

But online fraud is a real threat, and with these 10 steps, you can minimise your exposure. The only way to prevent falling for such scams is to keep alert, be as active as possible, and be in the know. Alas, the threat is constantly changing too, but the means of countering it are also advancing.

Stay safe, and feel free to pass this information to the next person. The better the public gets educated on the prevention steps of fraud, the safer society becomes for everyone. Just to remind you, personal security online is at your discretion. Take charge today!