Happy Safer Internet Day – 10 Ways to keep safe on the digital streets

Happy Safer Internet Day. Yes, today is the day you are reminded to browse the internet safely. But is it just that? Nope. Let me tell you about this day.

What is the Safer Internet Day about?

Safer internet day is organized by Insafe, a European network of Awareness Centers promoting safer and better usage of the internet. It is celebrated globally in February each year to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people and inspire a national conversation.

How to enjoy Safer Internet day every day

In as much as the internet is one of the greatest tools of our century, it also comes with its dangers and risks. Everything is going digital, and we all ought to ensure that we keep safe on these digital streets. From money transactions to making friends, the use of the internet is undeniably irresistible, however, what can we do to live a Safer Internet Day every day?

Here are the different to enjoy safer internet day every day.

#1. Turn on SafeSearch

In order to filter explicit search results, different search engines like Google and Bing allow their users to turn on SafeSearch. With this filter, you will not receive any explicit content in your search in form of images, memes, or other visually explicit content.

#2. Ensure that your accounts are secure (Logout of third-party apps)

Every day, we log into websites, access applications, and use various devices to access certain services. One of the many things we do while accessing websites or online applications is authorizing these apps to have access to our social media information including profile data, emails and allowing them to use our accounts. This leaves a security breach on our accounts.

So as to secure your account online, you should log out your account from third party applications you no longer use.

Since your accounts may be liable to hacking, ensure to set-up two-factor authentication for your various social accounts or emails. This helps you safeguard your account by adding a double protection tier.

For maximum password security, resort to using trusted password security applications like LastPass.

#3. Stay away from unsecure websites

Everyday we browse the internet, there are certain websites which are marked as unsecure by our browsers. Many of these are clear to spot. In the top-left corner of the URL bar, unsecure websites are clearly evident with a “⚠️Not Secure” alert.

So as to enjoy a safer internet day every day, stay away from websites like these. This is because, if you input your data or continue browsing them, they can illegally use your data or learn your keystrokes and this is a breach of your internet safety.

#4. Avoid untrusted public WiFi networks

We all love FREE things, but it is true what they say, “Love is blind”.

Always avoid accessing any of your online accounts on untrusted public wireless networks. This is because a network spoofer (online listener) may see all the data being shared with your phone. Even worse, if you log-into your account while on public Wi-Fi, your password can be accessed.

Here is a related article we dedicated on why you should avoid public WiFi’s and ways to keep safe from hacking and spoofing.

Find it here: How to keep safe from HACKING and SPOOFING on a PUBLIC WIFI

#5. Muting, Unfollowing and Blocking on Social Media

The internet can mean to be toxic. From hate speech, trolling, spamming, and everything you can imagine. Since everyone online has “freedom of speech” (and I use quotes because it can be misused turning into an act of offense), the best way to keep away from certain online rapport is by walking away from them digitally. One of the best ways to keep a safer internet day every day is using a mute option or blocking altogether.

Muting basically allows you to prevent certain words from popping on your timeline. This keeps you from seeing certain conversations online.

Unfollowing an account keeps you from seeing any of its updates. However, when you unfollow an account, it is possible to view their content on your timeline if someone shares it. To do away with seeing content from a certain platform altogether, the good ol’ blocking button works wonders.

When you block an account, you will not receive any updates or be texted by that account. Your completely safe from it.

#6. Use AD-blockers

Pop-ups, pop-ups and more pop-ups, that’s how big tech giants make money online.

Related: How to stop ads on android home screen

Here is a fun fact about ADs:

An online user can see an average of 5000 ads per day

– Yankelovich (Market research firm) in 2007

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There is a 100% chance that by the time your reading this blog, there is an AD somewhere in the vicinity of your eye. Surprisingly, these stats were shared in 2007, so you can imagine what the current statistics are.

So as to keep safe while on the internet, you can use AD-blocker applications (These are available for both Android and iPhone). Even better, your web browser has multiple ad-blocker extensions in your extensions store.

The irony is, some AD-blockers usually pop users with ADs too (Hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣). To go about this, paying for the premium service for your AD-blocker will give you an ADs-FREE experience.

#7. Have multiple alternatives

The internet is the hugest landscape in which no-man can fully travel. Every day, slightly more than 547200 new websites are created globally (Source: siteefy.com).

Since there is a possibility that a social media application can be hacked, banned, or compromised in any way, always have multiple alternatives. In this way, you have access to more than one platform.

Another example is, when linking your social media application to an alternative security email, ensure you have at least 2 email addresses. This safety precaution can save you in case one of your emails is compromised.

Also, when linking your email to your phone number, use multiple phone contacts. Just in case one of your phone numbers gets lost, you have an alternative and you are safer.

#8. Back up your data

You can never be sure when a virus might give your phone or laptop a visit.

In order to prevent any data loss, back up your data. There are many data back-up options, both online and offline. In case your online backup space gets depleted, you can expand your storage by purchasing more space. If you are using an online data backup option, ensure that it is a trusted option.

I personally use Google Photos and Google Drive for my backups. What do you use?

#9. Report on Social media

One of the ways to keep a safer internet day every day is by reporting the content on social media platforms. Many users violate social media rules by posting fake news, promoting hate speech, and sharing unauthorized content.

Different applications enable users to report cases such as these. Through the use of this option, you can make the internet safer not only for yourself but other internet users.

#10. Tell a friend about this

If there is one thing you can do to make the internet safer every day, it is helping some realize how much they need to remain cautious while they are using it. How many of your friends know about the safer internet day? It is very common nowadays to hear that someone’s account was hacked, or that their credit card was emptied.

Be that friend who makes a change in this world, by helping your friends realize that it is important to make every day a safer internet day. Enjoy the safer internet day, but don’t forget, you need to stay safe online every day.