Ways to Protect Yourself When Using the Internet

Why do you need to protect yourself when using the Internet?

You need to protect yourself when you use the internet because there are people that use the internet to cause harm to other people. People can do this by inserting files into your computer that are able to cause destruction to the computer, all of your accounts and even to your Local Area Network (LAN) where all of your other devices can be found. To be able to be protected against people like this you need to follow certain procedures that will protect you and your compter from harm.

What are Secure Connections?

Some ways to protect yourself when you use the internet is to not use insecure websites. The way to tell if a website is secure or not is to check if there is a lock symbol in the top left of your browser when the URL of the website is. Like on this website there is a lock symbol in the top left that says when clicked "Connection is Secure." In that area as well that certificate for the website can be found as well and who it is issued by and to who. An image of the lock is shown below. When the connection is secure there are implementations in place that will help protect your browsing experiences and your data.

What are Anti-Viruses and Malware Detectors?

Another way to have protection when using the internet is to use legitimate antivirus or malware protection software. These things are able to detect and are able to take action on potentially unsafe files that are found on the device. One example of an anti-virus is Windows Security. Windows Security is the built-in antivirus that is made to be the basic protection service on Windows 10 and Windows 11 that is able to function to protect your computer from potentially unsafe downloads or files that are found. However, Windows Defender is not a very good anti-virus as compared to other antiviruses available currently.

Configuring Settings and Updating Your System.

Another way to protect your devices is by ensuring that the device is safe is that you should update your device when updates are possible or are available. To do this on a windows device you want to go to settings and then do to update and security. When you load into that part of the settings, the first thing you will see is, "Windows Update." In there all Operating System updates and driver updates are shown and will be automatically those updates will update the Operating System, and if you do not have any other anti-virus, Windows Security. Updating both of these are important because both help protect your computer or device from attacks that are targeted at a certain version of a specific version of Windows. Also for the fact that the built-in antivirus for Windows is then updated as well. The pictures below show the directory of where to go on a Windows device to get updates for the computer.

What is a VPN?

One final way of protecting yourself when using the internet is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network.) When you use a VPN it allows you to have privacy online by creaating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs also mask your IP so online usages are basicly unable to be followed. However the most important part of a VPN is that it establishes secure and encrypted connections to provide better privacy.

What are Some Other Ways to be Protected on the Internet?

There are many other ways of protecting yourself when using the internet that were not said in this website. Other ways of protecting yourself when using the internet can inculde activation specific settings to protect yourself when using the internet and using a browser that does not record any data from you. Also activating two-factor authentication on any accounts that you use on the internet and using strong and different passwords on each site that you use. Using these methods of secrity will give you secure accounts that are stongly protected from attacks and that they websites will not allow the other users to access your information though that website. However, these are just a few of the security methods available right now, and there are still many other methods that you can use to be able to protect yourself when using the internet.