ONLINE SAFETY (is a myth- still, you should try your best)

Top 5 Tips to stay safe online

!!! DISCLAIMER !!!

Nothing on the internet is private! Nothing! If you do not want your grandmother to see it then do not post it.

Tip 1:

Do not choose a good password. Choose a Great one, a Remarkable one just like us (no pun intended). Go check out the blog titled PASSWORDS101 for a step by step process on how to make a fabulous password.

Tip 2:

Keep your software updated with the same dedication you spill the tea to your friends. Say goodbye to the urge to keep pressing “update later” over and over again. You see the nice guys or girls at windows and mac detect a security issue which the new update addresses. If you think they are crazy and not update you are A – reckless and B - vulnerable to that known security issue. Its like walking into a cage packed with hungry werewolf. No, they are not gonna have a tea party with you.

Tip 3:

Start using a Virtual Private Network. For instance, free Wi-Fi sounds like a dream but it can be a nightmare. Any data they transmit can be intercepted. So, encrypt your public network connections using a VPN genius and become anonymous. Go on a world tour, be in Spain one day and Australia the next.

Tip 4:

Check Privacy Settings on all your social media platforms. Be nice and do it for your family too. Would you go up to a random stranger and start sharing information about where you live, where you study, where you eat etc. If no then manage your private settings. However, even strict privacy settings can’t protect you (the FBI is reading this for sure). But at the end of the day you control what you post and who can see it.

Tip 5:

Use common sense. Yes, this needs to be said because common sense is not so common. For instance, do not share your social security number or password to any person or website that asks for it. Do not meet the anonymous online friend in person. Most of the time its catfishing. If you do get carried away with the adrenaline rush to meet them, then take a friend or share your live location or meet in a public place or take pepper spray or all of them above.

Bonus Tip: Set up 2 factor Authentication. That is your password along with any one additional thing like fingerprint, one-time code with every log in and so on.

These are small things but it will make your defense as strong as Russians, I promise.