10 Tips for Pleasant and Secure Online Lifestyle
The internet has become one of the most exciting resources in Today’s World. But along with it come great risks as well. It is relatively easy to find an unguarded cyber-criminal, hacker or malicious software user. In this blog, one of the more basic yet essential tips on how to stay safe on the internet will be outlined. It captures the very essence of having utmost personal privacy.

1. Ensure Strong & Unique Passwords
When it comes to basic safety and how to stay safe on the internet, strong passwords are one of the essentials for every account to stay safe online. Everyone is more familiar with weak passwords such as, ‘123456, or ‘password’ and with the right mechanisms, these can be very easy to crack. Here’s how one can secure their accounts with strong passwords:
- Length and complexity – Passwords should ideally be a mix of at least thirteen characters of uppercase and lowercase letters alongside numbers and special characters.
- Stay away from important dates and information – Passwords with dates such as birthdays, or names of people closely related can be easily guessed.
- Password Managers – For all accounts, passwords can be generated and stored using highly trusted password managers.
2. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
The strongest password can sometimes be overpowered. 2FA widens the doorway to security by adding another option for validation, like using a code sent to your phone for instance. You need to make sure that any account that permits 2FA has it activated especially email and financial accounts.
Learn how Google Authenticator Works
3. Renew Your Software
Applications software are targets for applicable patches on their weak spots and hackers love those weak spots. Make sure that your OS, web browser and apps are upgraded and up to date always.
- Web browsers including Chrome, Firefox etc
- Antivirus software
- OS updates that include Windows or macOS etc
The absence of software updates is how cyber criminals gain access to the computer system. A proper upgrade is therefore necessary to reduce the chances of a cyber attack.
4. Keep A Close Eye On Phishing Scams
Phishing targets individuals by pretending to be a legitimate business and trying to extract personal information. Such scams often involve sending fake emails, fake newsletters on social media or creating fraudulent websites that masquerade as real ones with the underlying motive of obtaining sensitive information from you. Here are some tips on how you can stay safe:

- Be careful of the sender’s domain: Identify if the sender’s email does not make sense or is written incorrectly.
- Avoid Clicking On Embedded Links: Some scammers mask their links which leads to dubious URLs so use the hover tactic to pinpoint their intentions.
- Make Sure Of Where You Received This From: If a company has sent you a message without you initiating any contact, make sure to give them a phone call first to authenticate it.
5. Use VPN To Keep Your Data Safe
The Virtual Private Network will be the most effective in making sure you have an added layer of security while browsing. It encrypts the ISP which makes your information unreachable by hackers or other people. Whenever you are using a public Wi-Fi network, make sure you turn on your VPN to keep your information safe.
6. Avoid performing sensitive transactions over public Wi-Fi.
Most public Wi-Fi networks are not secure, which increases the chances of hackers accessing them. Do not ever use public Wi-Fi for online banking or shopping. When using public Wi-Fi, make sure to use a VPN. A VPN will ensure safety while making transactions.
7. Pay careful attention when sharing personal information.
Social Media platforms, forums, and other websites are wide spread and encourage users to share personal information. While it is important to engage with other people, it is also important to know what personal information is wise to share. Some of these are most important rules:
- Restrict the information you make available: Make sure to only provide what is necessary.
- Change the privacy settings: Set social media privacy to limit who can view your posts and personal information.
- Don’t overshare: Refrain from sharing information like your location, financial status, and daily life.
8. Anti-virus and anti-malware software
Having antivirus protection is the first line of defense against viruses and malware that could harm your device. A good antivirus software will protect you around the clock by constant threat scanning on all devices. Always opt for security software that is reputable and trusted.

9. Online Shopping With Caution
Online shopping is convenient but one needs to be watchful of fraud. Here are some safety tips:
- Shop from trusted websites: Only shop from known retailers with secure checkout processes (look for the padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar).
- Use credit cards over debit cards: Credit cards generally have better fraud protection.
- Monitor your statements: Regularly check your credit card and bank statements for any unauthorized transactions.
10. Secure Your Social Media Accounts
Social media sites (Facebook, Twitter etc) are also not spared as phishing or identity theft can be efficiently done with the information obtained from social media regarding a user. Hence, to secure your accounts:
- Use strong unique passwords: Use complex passwords for each account as mentioned.
- Share your posts only to whomsoever you want: If possible, set your profile to private.
- Be cautious about friend requests: Refuse requests from unknown people if they seem suspicious.
In today’s world, where everyone is connected, online safety is more important than ever. With the help of the above mentioned tips, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to cyberattacks, identity theft and other online threats. Stay vigilant, secure your devices, accounts and always prioritize your online privacy.