Online Security and Privacy: 

There in no way to be 100% safe online, but you can be safer by remaining smart. 

Chances are small put possible (1 in 15 or 6% population) of being attacked online/identity theft 

90% of occurrences are from end users that are not educated and/or do not practice smart online activities. 

Big companies (shopping - Walmart, Amazon) want you to shop but know you will not if you do not think you are safe. They are safer because of the technology they invest in.   

Online shopping: 

Stay with the well knowns if possible (Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc.) 

Research unknown sites that you may land on, especially if you are purchasing. 

When/if possible, use PayPal (detail PayPal) when online shopping. 

Privacy - What to watch for (aware of) while online: 

Online tracking (cookies) (what is it?) 

Advanced methods (fingerprint) 

Blocking cookies, difficult but possible 

Phishing  

Bad grammar 

Threatening  

“Friend” asking for help (money) - verify! 

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is 

How to help yourself stay safe:  

Passwords, passwords, passwords – set them (mobile devices too), make them secure and change regularly 

Do not give your passwords to anyone for any reason (especially someone you do not know).  

Do not allow sites to store your passwords 

Clear browsing history / cookies periodically 

Two-factor authenticate when available/possible 

Watch out for attachments in emails from unknow sources / do not click links in email 

Be careful when downloading files/apps. Be sure the site/download is legit.  

Look for HTTPS in the address of the site you are on, especially when purchasing online (s = secure connection) 

DO NOT give any personal info over the internet 

No one for any reason should ask for personal information over the internet (this goes for the phone too). Institutions that legitimately need this info from will already have it and/or have a secure means of validating it with you.  

Social Media 

New/old friends that appear to start trying to sell you items all of the sudden 

Or private message you asking for “help” 

If you make a purchase over the internet and need to meet to complete the transaction (craigslist), NEVER go alone and meet in a public place (personal safety).  

Using the Incognito/Private Browsing modes does not keep you free from attacks.  

Just because you are on a smartphone/tablet, does not mean you are safe! 

When using your mobile devices, you still have to practice good online sense, and all of whats been discussed applies 

Even more because of how many are using mobile devices 

What is “cloud” computing and is it safe? 

This can mean different things in business but for the consumer, it is essentially a hard drive online 

Nothing online is 100% safe (Refer back to earlier points), but bigger companies invest in security (Apple, Google, Microsoft)

01 - Online Security and Privacy

Making the average users a little more tech savvy...

TechTips