The best ways to stay safe online

You probs already know the basics of online safety. BUT hear us out.

Did you know two-thirds of people aged between 13 and 24 have come across something worrying or nasty online? And 1 in 5 have run into scams, fraud or phishing?

With stats like that, it’s worth brushing up on your knowledge to make sure you’re protected online. Take a look at our go-to tips for staying safe while surfing and studying.

Use unique, strong passwords

This one might seem obvious – but the reality is 60% of people use passwords that can be easily guessed. On top of that, using the same password for multiple sites means if one account is hacked, all your accounts are compromised.

So basically, make sure to use unique, strong passwords for every account. A strong password is:

• At least 12 characters long, but even longer is better
• A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols
• Not a recognisable word including the name of a person, character or product

You can use tools like Google Password Manager or LastPass to generate and save unique passwords across all your devices.

And if you ever get an email or notification saying someone is trying to log in to your account and it’s not you, change your password ASAP to keep your info safe.

Think before you click

Clicking on a dodgy link or opening a fishy attachment are some of the fastest ways to put your sensitive information in the wrong hands. Before you click a link or download an attachment, ask yourself: ‘Does this seem legit?’

If you’re not sure, keep these pointers in mind:

• Make sure the sender’s email address matches the display name. Legitimate emails should always come from a legitimate domain e.g. @paypal.com
• Hover over a link before you click on it to check the full URL. Make sure it’s a real web address and doesn’t have any misspelt or weird words
• Don’t open any attachments that come from a suspicious sender
• Don’t trust emails or links where you’re asked to provide your personal details or do something immediately e.g. ‘Click here now to access your account’

Keep your social accounts private

Anything you post to your socials can be used by baddies to access your accounts or impersonate you online. Check your privacy settings and make sure your accounts are secure.

Before you post, think: Who can see this? Am I OK with these people knowing where I am and what I’m doing? It’s also worth doing a quick check to see if you have any private info in the background of your photos (like login details on a computer screen).

Make sure your tech is fit for purpose

Still using your parents’ MacBook from 2015? Old laptops, desktops and smartphones can be a risk because they aren’t supported by the latest security updates built to keep your info safe. So if your tech has seen better days, it might be time for an upgrade.

Dell, Apple, HP, Samsung – whatever tech essentials you choose, don’t forget to use your UNiDAYS laptop student discount to nab a great deal.

Use a VPN

Virtual Private Networks AKA VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and protect your identity online. This can make it harder for third parties to track your activities and potentially steal your data.

If you want to add an extra layer of security to your internet browsing, a VPN could be the way to go. The cost of VPNs can vary so it’s worth keeping an eye out for relevant offers, like the NordVPN student discount.

Level up your skills

You’ve got the online safety essentials down. Now where to next? If you want to learn more and grow your professional skill set at the same time, why not look into a structured course? There are loads of cyber security courses online. And hey, you never know – your newfound skills could even lead to an awesome job one day.

Image source: gettyimages.co.uk