In today's digital age, staying safe online is more important than ever. With cyber threats constantly evolving, it's essential to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself. Here are 10 tips to help you stay safe online:
Create strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessed passwords such as "password123" or "yourname2024." We covered this topic in depth in our article, Creating Passwords: The Do's and Don'ts.
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring two forms of verification: something you know (like a password) and something you have (like a code sent to your phone). Enable 2FA on all your online accounts, especially those that contain sensitive information.
Phishing scams are a common way for cybercriminals to steal personal information. Be wary of unsolicited emails and messages asking for personal information or prompting you to click on suspicious links. Always verify the sender's identity and never provide sensitive information via Facebook or Instagram messenger or email.
Recently, a case surfaced involving an individual who was contacted via Facebook Messenger by an imposter who had cloned his brother's Facebook account. The imposter pretended to be his brother, claiming that a lump sum payout had been deposited into his account. The entire conversation took place in their native language, not English, which initially made it appear more convincing. At first, the person believed the message was genuine. However, doubts began to emerge—why would his brother use Messenger instead of making a direct phone call? This led to further investigation, revealing that the account was indeed a clone. The cloned account was reported, and the real brother was notified to warn all his contacts about the scam.
This incident is just one example of how scammers operate across various platforms, not just email. Scammers often request that targets click on suspicious links through Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp. A common tactic includes comments on Facebook threads such as, "I found the full video here—watch it using this link." It is crucial to remember: NEVER CLICK ON THESE LINKS!