When we browse the Internet we can run the risk that our communications are intercepted, so that our credentials for different services such as mail, social networks and the bank’s website are captured by cybercriminals. Another of the usual risks is that we get infected with some type of virus that we unintentionally download, and even that our data is compromised by some type of spyware. Today in this article we are going to give you a total of 10 tips to improve security while browsing the Internet.
Recommendations to navigate more safely
If you want to browse with greater security so that your computer is not hacked, pay close attention to these tips that are related to the web browser:
- Keep your web browser updated to the latest version . It is essential that you make sure that the latest version is installed on your PC, because most security problems come because cybercriminals are capable of exploiting vulnerabilities, with the aim of subsequently infecting our computer.
- Uninstall all the plugins you don’t use , and the ones you do use, keep them updated . If you are one of those who install many plugins in the browser, our recommendation is that you only have installed the ones you really use, because each new plugin can be the culprit of a hack. If you currently use all plugins, then make sure you always have them up to date, and that the project is still “alive” for updates.
- Just because the browser tells you that a website is HTTPS does not mean it is secure . HTTPS is the protocol that is responsible for encrypting all communications from the client (browser) to the server (web page server). But if we connect to a malicious website, it can perfectly well use HTTPS, so it is not a guarantee that we are safe, but rather that the communications between source and destination are secure.
- Be careful with downloading files from different websites. One of the easiest ways to get infected is to download an executable or an Office document with macros. It is highly recommended that you check the website where you are, to know if it is legitimate or not.
- Configure in the browser that you do not want tracking cookies , nor do you want pop-up windows. Many times these pop-ups are SCAM and could infect your computer or steal money from you. You could also use the web browser in incognito mode to avoid tracking cookies.
Regarding the Internet connection, if you are connecting to public WiFi networks, you should take some additional security measures:
- Use a VPN , either a VPN to your home or a business VPN. VPNs allow us to create a tunnel with all the traffic from our PC to the server, so all the traffic is encrypted to prevent a malicious user from being able to capture the traffic and read it.
- In the case of not having a VPN, then we do not recommend that you visit websites where your credentials are not needed to log in , such as bank websites, social networks or email. If you have to use these services, make sure you see the HTTPS padlock in your web browser.
Regarding the configuration of your computer, it is essential that you take into account these aspects:
- Always keep the operating system up to date, in addition, it is recommended that you activate automatic updates to always be up to date.
- Use the antivirus that comes with the operating system , in the case of Windows it is Windows Defender, which provides us with very good security, in addition, it is completely free and is activated by default.
Finally, always apply common sense , you should not get into strange websites, you should not pay attention if you “won a raffle” in which you have not participated, and other very common scams when browsing the Internet.
