MSN’s Top 5 Tips for Safe Surfing
Whether it’s to shop online, conduct banking transactions or simply check email, surfing the Internet has become an integral part of Canadians’ everyday lives. Because of our reliance on the Internet, it is of utmost importance that we are pro-active in protecting our online identity. The following tips are a useful resource to ensure that you and your family have a safe and secure online experience.
1. Be defensive with personal information – Share personal information online only when you initiated the contact. If you are on a site that requests personal information, ensure it is legitimate and secure by looking for ‘https’ in the address bar and a padlock icon.
2. Create strong passwords and keep them secret – Your first line of defence online begins with your password or your personal identification number (PIN). To ensure you create strong passwords, include a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Make sure the password is at least eight characters and that it is easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess.
3. Improve your computer's security – You can greatly reduce your risk from hackers, viruses and worms by using a firewall, installing antivirus software and updating it routinely. If you are running Windows software, ensure you keep up with software updates.
4. Pay Attention to Identity Theft – Learn to recognize phishing schemes and be vigilant when reading emails from unknown senders. Phishing occurs when a deceptive email message directs you to a site established to gather sensitive information such as your name, phone number and Social Insurance Number. Also, be cautious when opening emails from unknown senders.
5. Educate Yourself on Safe Surfing – Internet technology evolves on a daily basis, creating a need for consumers to stay up-to-date on the latest online threats and safety precautions. To protect yourself and ensure a safer online experience, reference online tools such as http://safety.sympatico.msn.ca.