6 Internet Security Mistakes You May Still Be Making

Failing to update your passwords is a risk. Some people even text passwords to family or friends, resulting in millions of breaches a year. To stay safe, create passwords with at least 12 characters and a mix of upper case and lower case letters. Update your passwords every few months, and try not to duplicate them.

System updates always seem to arrive when you’re in the middle of something, but it’s important to install them as soon as convenient. Updates contain key security boosts, and neglecting them leaves the door open to cyberattacks.

Not every cyberattack is about data theft. Sometimes, it’s sowing discord through ‘fake news’. Use common sense with news reports, and check them against other sources.

It’s tempting to surf on hot spots and free networks in hotels, stations and public transport, but sometimes these networks have little or no security. It’s best to limit usage to basic browsing and avoid entering passwords or making payments.

Few people read terms and conditions. However, malicious developers can hide clauses that allow them to collect, store and even trade your data. It’s worth taking a few extra minutes to check what exactly you’re signing up for.

You can often spot unsafe sites through poorly written text or low-quality images or if there’s no padlock beside the URL. If your browser presents a warning, think again. Cyberattacks increased by 38% in 2022 compared with 2021.

Learn more about these internet security mistakes.