Safe Internet Use

Using the internet is a big part of our live. It can be used to share photos and event, look up health information, connect with others, attend support groups, and so many other ways. It is important to use the internet safely. When not used safely it can affect your privacy, finances, and everyday life. The following are ways to make sure you are using the internet safely:

Use Trusted, Secure Websites

• Nothing on the internet is 100% secure.  That being said, “secure” sites have the prefix https://www…
  • Https sites allow computers to use a code during their communications. This code can then scramble messages between the computers so they cannot be read by a third party.
  • What kind of website is this? We can learn a lot about the origination of a how a website via its domain. A domain is part of the website address or URL.
    • .com = commercial; open to any person or entity; example amazon.com.
    • .edu = education; limited to higher education institutions; example upenn.edu.
    • .org = organization; open to any person or entity but usually a non-profit, public interest organization; example oncolink.org (OncoLink), cancer.org (American Cancer Society).
    • .net = network; open to any person or entity. Meant to serve distributed networks of computers or “umbrella” sites. Example Verizon.net (all Verizon products managed here).
    • .gov= government; limited to US Government entities and agencies at national, state, county and local levels. Example: cdc.gov (Centers for Disease Control).
    • .mil = military; reserved for use by the US military.
• When was the information on the website written, updated and last reviewed?
• Who is writing the content on this website?
  • Are the credentials of the writer(s) available/included in the content or listed on the website?
  • This is very important if you are looking for medical/scientific information.

Use Strong, Protected Passwords

• Strong passwords are long (more than 10 characters) and include upper and lower case characters, numbers and special characters. An example of a good password is chan$URpa%%word. Get creative and use a password that you can remember but are hard for others to figure out.
• If a site offers dual authentication, use it. This means you enter a password and then the site sends you a message, by text, phone or email, to confirm your log in.  It’s an extra layer of safety.
• Think carefully about security questions. Does everyone know your first pet’s name was Spot? Probably not the best question/answer to use. Anything anyone can find out about you via an internet search is not a great thing to use in a password or challenge question/answer.
  • Try to use different passwords for each website-especially your bank accounts, credit cards or anything tied to financial information.
  • Invest in a protected password management app-these apps keep a record of your passwords for all of the sites you use and can even suggest strong passwords to use. One recommendation is “Keeper.”

Do regular password maintenance checks. When you check your batteries in your smoke alarms for daylight savings, you can also check your passwords or set a reminder in your phone.

Beware of Scams and False Information

• If it sounds too good to be true—it probably is.
  • If you get a strange looking email, think before you click on “open.” Viruses and malware can be imbedded in email subject lines. If you aren’t expecting it or didn’t ask for something to be sent to you, delete it.

Protect Your Network

• Who can access you home wireless network? Most internet service providers (ISP’s) offer protection services like personal firewalls for home networks.
  • Once again, have a strong password.  Without strong passwords, someone could easily access your home network and the data (think credit card information) shared over them. 

Use Virus Protection Software

• This software is designed to detect and remove viruses, worms and Trojan horses  that could infect your computer and your data.
  • This software can also detect spam and spyware as well as set up a secure Firewall around your network.

The internet can be a very useful tool but it is important to use it safely. There tips should help you be able to find the answers you need while keeping you safe.