Are You Guilty of These 7 Web-Browsing Mistakes? 

We might think browsing the web isn’t dangerous and can’t put our personal information in danger, but that isn’t true. Cybercriminals are getting better at finding their targets and might use a public Wi-Fi connection or a simple email message to get their hands on your login information and more. 

So, let’s go over some common web-browsing mistakes and learn useful tips on recognizing phishing, creating a strong password, and checking if your connection is secure. 

1. Forgetting to update your browser 

Browsing the internet is unimaginable without a browser. Therefore, making sure you are running the latest version is a must. You have probably noticed a decrease in performance when using older browsers on old devices. Before you do anything else, check for available updates. 

Most browsers will let you know there is an update ready for download. Updates are regularly released since they include patches and fixes. If you haven’t seen an update notification in a while, go to the browser settings and check it out manually. Keeping your browser up to date is crucial because you need to be on top of potential security issues. 

2. Re-using passwords 

Since there have been several major data leaks in the last decade, chances are your login information is floating around on the web for everyone to see. If you have been using the same password for all your accounts, it is time to change it. 

Of course, your password shouldn’t be easy to guess. Use numbers, symbols, and upper and lowercase letters. While this might seem impossible, use a unique password for each account. It is the best way to prevent a potential cybersecurity issue because even if one of your accounts is compromised, all others will be safe. 

3. Connecting to public Wi-Fi 

Public Wi-Fi networks are super useful when you want to browse the web while getting coffee or need to check something online quickly. Unfortunately, cybercriminals also see them as the perfect hunting grounds for their next target. If a public network has low security, anyone can lurk on it, waiting to intercept someone’s data. 

While avoiding public Wi-Fi networks is impossible, turn off automatic connections on your devices. Additionally, you can use a VPN to encrypt the information you send or receive. This app can also change your IP address to protect your privacy. If you have been wondering how to get a US IP address, a VPN is the answer. 

4. Clicking on links despite the warning 

Almost all browsers will send you a warning when you are about to visit a potentially malicious or unsafe website. Unfortunately, some ignore the warning and click on the link anyway. By doing this, you are risking your information. Furthermore, you could end up with malware on your device. 

Antivirus software can help in these situations because the app can instantly detect a potential infection. Update your antivirus software regularly for the best protection from any cybersecurity threats.

5. Sharing your personal information 

Remember to be careful when it comes to sharing your personal information online. Not all websites are secure. Be selective when typing in your personal data, such as your full name, address, and date of birth. Remember not to give out your Social Security number anywhere because it can be used for identity theft. 

When cybercriminals gather all this information about you, they can commit financial crimes in your name, such as opening credit cards. Once you realize something might be wrong, it might be too late to stop whoever is behind the identity theft. 

6. Opening suspicious links 

Suspicious links can be anywhere – on websites, popup windows, or emails. But before you click on something, view the link by hovering over it to see where it leads. Of course, we must mention phishing because anyone can become a target nowadays. 

Messages with links to phishing websites are sometimes shared on social media, but phishing emails are more dangerous because they can look authentic. Hackers could use a layout from a legitimate business, such as Netflix, and send you a fake warning about your account. 

Users might click on a link, type in their login information, and that’s it. Cybercriminals will know their username and password, which allows them to gather even more personal data from the account. 

Is there a way to protect yourself from phishing? Always look at the email address! It is a clear giveaway that something could be wrong with the message. Hackers don’t have access to the official email addresses. Additionally, look for spelling and grammar mistakes, but these are less likely nowadays when everyone can access services like ChatGPT. 

7. Forgetting about a secure connection 

Most websites have a secure connection, which means that all the information you type in is safe and can’t be seen by cybercriminals. However, some sites don’t have this security feature, which could compromise your data. Always check if a website you are on uses HTTPS protocol and that a tiny padlock icon is visible in the address bar.