The web lets us reach out to others, learn new things, and even make a living in ways previous generations could only dream of. It’s transformed our sense of community and approach to work, but there are also new challenges to overcome.
On the one hand, security and privacy on the net are constantly under threat. On the other, there’s so much fascinating stuff on offer that getting sidetracked is far too easy. This article addresses both issues. It highlights handy tools and suggestions to make browsing more secure and mindful.
Use the Right Browser
Browsers are your gateway to billions of websites and play a major part in shaping your internet surfing experience. All the popular ones are serviceable, but not every browser has your best interests at heart when it comes to security and privacy.
For example, some browsers are parts of larger service ecosystems. They integrate with search engines, email, and other helpful tools made by the same company. While more seamless, this approach is potentially more dangerous since something like a compromised email password can put other accounts at risk.
Privacy-focused browsers give you fine control over their behavior. They collect far less data and may automatically keep cookies and other tracking methods from following you as you browse. Some are also open-source, so the community can contribute new features while discovering and addressing security concerns more quickly.
Set Up an Ad Blocker
Ads have become the most annoying unwanted interruptions on the net, bar none. While they help websites keep the lights on, the intrusive nature of ads and the sheer volume that bombards us every day is just too much to handle. And one just cannot help but wonder how to block ads for good.
An ad blocker will help you keep your sanity while making web page navigation more manageable. The blockers are usually add-ons you enable in your browser. They’re not complete solutions since some websites won’t let you access their content while an ad blocker is active. Still, they work 90%+ of the time and let you decide which sites benefit from your patronage.
Getting an ad blocker also has safety benefits. Have you ever been to a site with a zillion DOWNLOAD buttons and couldn’t tell the right one? Chances are such pop-ups, and a small portion of other ads lead to sites containing malware. You can’t accidentally click what you can’t see!
Get Disciplined
Once you stumble on another internet rabbit hole, getting back on track is hard. Some of us don’t have the willpower and need a helping hand. Thankfully, there are tools out there for tackling distractions.
The simplest one is your browser’s reader mode. It removes pictures and videos, leaving only text to focus on. If that’s not enough, you might want to look into apps and extensions that limit screen time or don’t let you access online time sinks during designated hours.
Start Using a VPN
If you only go for one tool from this list, it should be a virtual private network. VPNs contribute to browsing safety by encrypting your internet connection. That means they scramble the data you send and receive, making it impossible for bad guys to intercept or misuse.
VPNs are especially useful if you frequently surf from coffee shops, bars, and other places that offer free Wi-Fi. Such connections are ordinarily dangerous since even novice hackers can hijack or listen in on them. They then monitor what you’re doing and can track your keystrokes, which could expose your account information, personal data, or sensitive conversations.
Encryption makes it impossible to figure out your browsing habits. This affects criminals but works for your ISP and advertisers, too. VPNs hide your IP address and replace it with different ones from wherever in the world you want the site you’re accessing to think you are. You get even better browsing since you can access previously restricted websites, while snoops can only guess what you’re doing.
Be careful, as not all VPNs protect you as they claim. Free ones are the worst offenders since they will collect and sell data on you rather than guarantee anonymity. The real deal makes a genuine difference, though! Just be sure to check out some reviews and the VPN comparison table before you select a VPN provider.
Stay on Top of Cyber Threats
You can’t do much about some things that impact your internet safety. For example, it’s neither your fault nor responsibility when yet another data breach puts millions of users at risk. However, you can boost internet safety by adapting your habits.
Start with the easy stuff and check whether your programs, OS, browser, and antimalware have automatic updates on. This will ensure you have the latest versions with patches to the most recently discovered security exploits.
You can’t stop data breaches, but using one-of-a-kind passwords and two-factor authentication for each account greatly helps contain the damage.
Keep your socials private and interact only with people you trust. They’re great for meeting new friends and catching up with old ones but also scam-central. Learn how to recognize the most common social media scams. While you’re at it, get familiar with phishing scams and learn how to avoid those, too.
These are just the most common threats netizens face today. The recent AI boom and other developments may introduce new concerns we can’t even anticipate yet. Keep your finger on cybersecurity’s digital pulse and stay informed about new threats as they appear.
Wrapping Up
The internet is a never-ending source of inspiration and opportunity, provided you navigate its perils wisely. We hope these tips will be useful to you in overcoming all related challenges, whether they come from without or within.