Everyone loves surfing the net, and humans spend, on average, half of their lives online. Online activities include browsing social media, researching topics, online shopping, playing at casinos and online banking. Conducting online activities brings risks, and Nigerians face many threats and risks, such as identity theft, phishing, malware and cyberattacks. The wrong people must never access your private and confidential information, as the consequences will be catastrophic. Below we provide some practical tips and best practices for protecting your privacy and security online.
Strong Password
Generally, the average person should use around 50-60 unique passwords in their lifetime, but realistically how many of us use the same old password at most sites? Please don’t be ashamed; we have all been there, and whether it is our favourite numbers, our date of birth or even cell phone number, using the same password can lead to many threats and risks. We encourage you to use strong passwords, preferably alphanumeric passwords. Remember that you should continuously change your password. It’s best to consider updating your password once a month. Please don’t use the same alphanumeric password at all online sites. To stay protected at all times, be unique and have different passwords for your social media accounts, online casino accounts, and online banking accounts.
Use a VPN or Proxy
VPN and proxy services hide your IP address by rerouting internet traffic from a remote server. A proxy works with a single app or service, while a VPN can secure all your internet traffic and encrypts it for additional privacy and security. Purchasing a VPN is costly, but there are free ones available online. Do your research and make the smart decision by protecting your IP address and location, especially when using public Wi-Fi, where there are plenty of cybercriminals waiting to access your information.
Use encryption and secure messaging apps
Encryption occurs when an encryption algorithm processes messaging code, typically AES-compliant. The strongest encryption is the 256-bit, which refers to the length of the key used to encrypt information. End-to-end encryption offers the best protection online, but did you realize that not all social media sites provide end-to-end encryption? Sites like Facebook Messenger do not offer end-to-end encryption, making it easier for hackers to steal users’ information. We encourage readers to use encryption and secure messaging apps to protect their data and communication. You should even encrypt your Email, and some popular end-to-end messaging apps include Signal, Element and WhatsApp.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links and attachments
If it looks like a scam or reads like a scam, then yes, it is a scam. Receive an email saying you won $1 million from a recent giveaway you can’t remember entering; please don’t click on the link to claim your winnings. Phishing and email scams are common, and the temptation to click these links and attachments is high, but never do so. Hackers and cybercriminals are loitering and waiting for you to visit these links, and once you do so, your private data will be stolen.
Update your software and antivirus
Browsing online is mostly done through mobile, PC and laptop devices, and it is encouraged to update your software and antivirus continuously. These allow you to browse the internet and provide a secure time safely. There are plenty of antivirus apps for mobile and PC, and most devices even have their own adblocking software. Google Chrome has anti-ad blocking apps allowing users to fly under the radar while online.
Social media tips
We all need oxygen to survive; for some, social media is similar to oxygen. Many people love using social media to chat and interact with long-lost friends or update their followers on their lives. Unfortunately, social media brings a lot of risk for users, and as we mentioned, even Facebook is not end-to-end encrypted. We encourage you to be careful on social media and consider what you post and who you can trust online. With social media, a common threat is catfishing, and it is easy for users to fall into the trap. Always stay vigilant and think with your head and not your heart.
Use reputable and trustworthy sites
When making payments online, you should use reputable and trustworthy sites. Common features of these sites will include encrypted banking platforms and details on the privacy policy. Online transactions mean that you are providing your sensitive information, so you want to make sure that they will never be shared.
Safety at Online Casinos
One industry that has been unfairly judged regarding safety and security is online casinos. The online casino industry has made significant inroads into providing players with safe and secure gaming features. Some security and privacy features at most casinos include being licensed and regulated, ID verification of all players, adopting encrypted banking platforms for online transactions and ensuring fair gaming practices by using Random Number Generators on all casino games.
This article provided some practical tips and best practices for protecting your privacy and security online. Various tips discussed included using strong passwords, VPNs, encryption, antivirus, and only accessing reputable sites. These tips and best practices let you enjoy the best private and secure online experience. We also explained why playing at online casinos is safe. The benefits of being safe online result in your private and confidential information, like bank account details, location, and Emails, are never leaked.
