Safer Internet Day 2024
Each year, Safer Internet Day helps to raise awareness about staying safe online. With new technology emerging, our reliance on devices only continues to rise. This is why it’s crucial to understand how to stay safe online and keep internet security for both you, and your family.
How Do You Stay Safe Online?
The internet offers a whole world of information, entertainment, and opportunity. But there is a catch. There are lots of ways that a lack of internet security can cause you huge problems. If you’ve come to this page asking, ‘how do I stay safe online?’, read on for our guide on enjoying the best of full fibre broadband while keeping peace of mind.
When you switch to full fibre, here are our 5 tips on how to stay safe online, from internet security to online privacy:
1. Strong Passwords
When you’re setting up with LightSpeed, you’ll need to come up with an account password. This is a great opportunity to refresh your security internet-wide! Don’t forget you can switch up your passwords at any time, not just when upgrading to full fibre. For the most secure internet privacy, choose a strong, complex password, unique for each online account. This should be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols for each of your online accounts to prevent unauthorised access.
We know it’s tempting but try to avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and we recommend using two-factor or multi-factor authentication where possible. Using a password manager can help you keep track of your secure passwords. And for the best online privacy, don’t tell your neighbours what it is!
2. Regular Updates
One of the most underrated tips to be safe online is to stay on top of your software updates. If you’re not keeping your software, apps, and devices up-to-date, you’re missing a trick almost as big as full fibre broadband. Regular updates help to make sure you have the latest security fixes to help protect against online threats. Software updates often include patches which fix security vulnerabilities like bugs that could be exploited by hackers to access your data. This means greater online security, and therefore greater online safety.
3. Beware of Phishing
Phishing is one of the biggest dangers you’ll encounter on the internet – no, not the kind your uncle does at the weekend. This kind of phishing may seem friendly but has major consequences. Messages come from companies or people you think you know, but are in fact, malicious parties fraudulently attempting to access your personal information such as passwords or bank details.
To safeguard against phishing be very wary of who you trust when communicating online. Always verify the authenticity of emails or messages, especially those that ask for personal information or prompt you to click on unknown links. Avoid clicking on links that are suspicious, or sharing any personal information online, such as banking information and passwords. Sometimes phishing emails can come from someone pretending to be a family member or friend, so give them a call to make sure it’s them if you’re at all suspicious.
4. Antivirus Software
Installing good antivirus software is the best way to keep your device safe from bugs and viruses on the internet. It's like putting a strong lock on your door. Get yourself some trusted antivirus software, and it'll act like a shield for your devices, finding and kicking out any viruses that try to sneak in. Don't leave your device's security to chance – take this simple step to make sure you're well-protected online.
5. Privacy Settings
It's a good idea to keep an eye on your privacy settings when you're on social media or using other online services. Take a look at your settings to see what info you're sharing and who can see it. This isn't just some techy thing – it's about maintaining online privacy for internet security and keeping your personal life between people you know. It’s also important to make sure the rest of your family – especially the kids – are doing the same. Children and older internet users can be at much higher risk when it comes to staying safe online.
Make sure you're not accidentally sharing things with the wrong people, by checking and updating your privacy settings. Whether you avoid sharing your phone number with unwanted admirers or keep those embarrassing uni photos away from prying eyes, tighter privacy settings have got you covered.
A Safer Internet Day, Every Day
Safer Internet Day 2024 recognises the importance of online safety in the digital landscape. But it’s up to you to put our five key tips into practice to lockdown your internet security. With strong passwords, software updates, vigilance against phishing, antivirus software, and up-to-date online privacy you can have a safer internet day, every day.
For more information on how to stay safe online, visit UK Safer Internet Centre