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The 10 dumbest things people do on the net
At least 150 million people had data stolen in a recent cyber attack. And there are hack threats looming. So what are the top 10 silly things that people do to compromise their security?
1. Your password is too simple
Fact: The more complicated a password, the harder it is to remember.
So many choose the easy way out.
Some people have passwords like 'password', or '1234567' or 'qwerty'.
Or it may be a dictionary word, or something that can be easily guessed, like your birthday or your spouse's birthday.
A good password should be a combination at least eight letters and numbers.
Have a mix of uPpeR aNd LoWeRCAse letters HeLps ToO.
2. You use the same password for every website
Yeah, we know, it's hard to remember one complicated password. So let's use it for everything!
This isn't very smart. It's just about as smart as keeping passwords in a folder called "Passwords".
You should at least create different passwords for sensitive accounts like your e-mail and internet banking account.
Convenience has a price. If someone figures out your password, they'll be able to log onto any site where you have an account.
3. You don't log out when using public computers.
It's funny when someone logs in as you and writes a silly message on your Facebook wall.
But trust me, it won't be funny when someone maxes out your credit card online.
It's not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address.
If possible, shut down the computer.
"Logging out" is compulsory after you are done, like washing your own dishes. Please tell me you already do that.
4. You save your password on a public computer
I've done this only when setting up my accounts, and clicked "accept" and "save" all the way.
But this means that anyone who used the terminal can log on as you, and access your online data.
Disable this option so no one can log in as you.
5. You send sensitive information via e-mail
Okay, by sensitive information I'm not referring to the list of people with whom you've had intimate relations. I mean your credit card or ID number.
Even if your computer has a good security software, your recipients' computers might not have the same protection.
Don't take an e-mail as trusted simply because you know the sender. The sender information in an e-mail may be faked.
So who can you trust? It's a cold. hard world out there.
6. You enter unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks
I'm as guilty as you when it comes to leeching off free Wi-Fi.
But some networks can be the gateway to malware or viruses. These are called 'zombie' networks.
As an extra safety measure, you may want to turn off your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not using the functions.
Avoid things that advertise themselves as free, like "Free Internet. Just join for fun".
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Stay far away.
7. You click on unfamiliar links and attachments
Crazy as it seems, people still think it's a good idea to click on .exe files
Even if the email says you won a million dollars and have to collect your prize, resist it.
Even if a gorgeous babe says she wants to chat with you, don't click on her profile.
The creators just want your personal details.
Even web pages meant for the guidance and protection of customers have been mimicked by phishers to trick people into handing over personal information.
8. You don't have security software
Okay, the last time I installed such software, the computer took 15 minutes to start up and I didn't open any pop-ups, or stream videos, or do anything.
But security software is for just that - security.
These protect your computer from viruses and spyware, and include a firewall, which acts like a security guard, checking who enters or leaves.
Without it, your computer is vulnerable to threats.
9. You reply on your username and password alone to protect your online accounts
If you can use some sort of two-factor authentication, do so.
I admit, the security tokens look seriously uncool - I've seen one resembling a spaceship and another a calculator - but they are your best way to ensure your account is watertight.
Passwords alone are not enough to protect you from online fraud and identity theft.
10. You upload holiday photos online
Okay, Instagram-ers, you are the most guilty of this.
Boast about your every single bit of your holiday - from the airplane, your hotel room to the dessert you ate - you're basically telling burglars that you are not at home.
While many like sharing with their friends about that perfect sunset during their holiday, do remember that it's an open invitation for burglars to your home, even if your visibility and privacy settings have been adjusted.
Geo-tagging yourself on social media sites is another call for would-be criminals to target your house.
5 smart ways to clean up online
Every interaction on social media, blog, forums, and even searches can be traced back to us. But it's easy to be less visible online, if not disappear completely. To avoid a cursory look-up, here are some hints
1. Choose where you want to disappear from
Chances are, it's the big social media accounts. Anywhere that you log into using your real name.
An instant solution is to just change your username and user URL, even if it's by varying the spelling. Alternatively make full use of the privacy settings available.
On Twitter, it's straight forward. You can decide if you want to be found via your e-mail address or even if you want your tweets to be public.
Facebook can manage who sees what and if you can be tagged.
If you use LinkedIn, then that will be a potential employer's first port of call. You may want to keep it.
Just make sure it's perfectly clean - nice photo, proper interests and glowing endorsements. Don't link to anything that will make you blush in an interview.
2. Remove attached alias
You may have the craziest user-name online.
But if it's attached to an e-mail address with your real name and details, then all your witticisms or arguments on forums can be found.
Where possible, unlink your primary e-mail address to your username.
Ask forum moderators to delete posts that can identify you.
3. Delete, delete, delete
If privacy and caution aren't enough, it's time to self-destruct.
You may want to save anything of great note from your social media first. Then push the button.
For some sites, it is that simple.
On Facebook, you will also need to do a search of everyone that has tagged you in photographs and remove the tags.
With Google, you can choose to just delete your Google+ account.
If you are very active on the Net and prone to signing up for almost everything, then quickly ditch every new meme distributing site that comes along or you will have a harder time disappearing.
There are sites such as AccountKiller, Web2.0 Suicide Machine and DeleteMe that help erase your Internet past.
4. Clean up thoroughly
Disappear from search results.
Search your name - using quotation marks - and make a note of where you appear.
Then it's a case of e-mailing polite requests of removal. You can request the search engines like Google and Bing to remove those hits, but this may need more legal reasons to work.
5. Stay off the Net and watch your friends
It's obvious but fairly simple. Don't log on to use search engines.
Create a fake e-mail address through which you do everything.
And you'll also need to keep tabs on your friends.
Make sure they know not to tag you again, especially on photos of that messy night out.
At least 150 million people had data stolen in a recent cyber attack. And there are hack threats looming. So what are the top 10 silly things that people do to compromise their security?
1. Your password is too simple
Fact: The more complicated a password, the harder it is to remember.
So many choose the easy way out.
Some people have passwords like 'password', or '1234567' or 'qwerty'.
Or it may be a dictionary word, or something that can be easily guessed, like your birthday or your spouse's birthday.
A good password should be a combination at least eight letters and numbers.
Have a mix of uPpeR aNd LoWeRCAse letters HeLps ToO.
2. You use the same password for every website
Yeah, we know, it's hard to remember one complicated password. So let's use it for everything!
This isn't very smart. It's just about as smart as keeping passwords in a folder called "Passwords".
You should at least create different passwords for sensitive accounts like your e-mail and internet banking account.
Convenience has a price. If someone figures out your password, they'll be able to log onto any site where you have an account.
3. You don't log out when using public computers.
It's funny when someone logs in as you and writes a silly message on your Facebook wall.
But trust me, it won't be funny when someone maxes out your credit card online.
It's not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address.
If possible, shut down the computer.
"Logging out" is compulsory after you are done, like washing your own dishes. Please tell me you already do that.
4. You save your password on a public computer
I've done this only when setting up my accounts, and clicked "accept" and "save" all the way.
But this means that anyone who used the terminal can log on as you, and access your online data.
Disable this option so no one can log in as you.
5. You send sensitive information via e-mail
Okay, by sensitive information I'm not referring to the list of people with whom you've had intimate relations. I mean your credit card or ID number.
Even if your computer has a good security software, your recipients' computers might not have the same protection.
Don't take an e-mail as trusted simply because you know the sender. The sender information in an e-mail may be faked.
So who can you trust? It's a cold. hard world out there.
6. You enter unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks
I'm as guilty as you when it comes to leeching off free Wi-Fi.
But some networks can be the gateway to malware or viruses. These are called 'zombie' networks.
As an extra safety measure, you may want to turn off your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not using the functions.
Avoid things that advertise themselves as free, like "Free Internet. Just join for fun".
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Stay far away.
7. You click on unfamiliar links and attachments
Crazy as it seems, people still think it's a good idea to click on .exe files
Even if the email says you won a million dollars and have to collect your prize, resist it.
Even if a gorgeous babe says she wants to chat with you, don't click on her profile.
The creators just want your personal details.
Even web pages meant for the guidance and protection of customers have been mimicked by phishers to trick people into handing over personal information.
8. You don't have security software
Okay, the last time I installed such software, the computer took 15 minutes to start up and I didn't open any pop-ups, or stream videos, or do anything.
But security software is for just that - security.
These protect your computer from viruses and spyware, and include a firewall, which acts like a security guard, checking who enters or leaves.
Without it, your computer is vulnerable to threats.
9. You reply on your username and password alone to protect your online accounts
If you can use some sort of two-factor authentication, do so.
I admit, the security tokens look seriously uncool - I've seen one resembling a spaceship and another a calculator - but they are your best way to ensure your account is watertight.
Passwords alone are not enough to protect you from online fraud and identity theft.
10. You upload holiday photos online
Okay, Instagram-ers, you are the most guilty of this.
Boast about your every single bit of your holiday - from the airplane, your hotel room to the dessert you ate - you're basically telling burglars that you are not at home.
While many like sharing with their friends about that perfect sunset during their holiday, do remember that it's an open invitation for burglars to your home, even if your visibility and privacy settings have been adjusted.
Geo-tagging yourself on social media sites is another call for would-be criminals to target your house.
5 smart ways to clean up online
Every interaction on social media, blog, forums, and even searches can be traced back to us. But it's easy to be less visible online, if not disappear completely. To avoid a cursory look-up, here are some hints
1. Choose where you want to disappear from
Chances are, it's the big social media accounts. Anywhere that you log into using your real name.
An instant solution is to just change your username and user URL, even if it's by varying the spelling. Alternatively make full use of the privacy settings available.
On Twitter, it's straight forward. You can decide if you want to be found via your e-mail address or even if you want your tweets to be public.
Facebook can manage who sees what and if you can be tagged.
If you use LinkedIn, then that will be a potential employer's first port of call. You may want to keep it.
Just make sure it's perfectly clean - nice photo, proper interests and glowing endorsements. Don't link to anything that will make you blush in an interview.
2. Remove attached alias
You may have the craziest user-name online.
But if it's attached to an e-mail address with your real name and details, then all your witticisms or arguments on forums can be found.
Where possible, unlink your primary e-mail address to your username.
Ask forum moderators to delete posts that can identify you.
3. Delete, delete, delete
If privacy and caution aren't enough, it's time to self-destruct.
You may want to save anything of great note from your social media first. Then push the button.
For some sites, it is that simple.
On Facebook, you will also need to do a search of everyone that has tagged you in photographs and remove the tags.
With Google, you can choose to just delete your Google+ account.
If you are very active on the Net and prone to signing up for almost everything, then quickly ditch every new meme distributing site that comes along or you will have a harder time disappearing.
There are sites such as AccountKiller, Web2.0 Suicide Machine and DeleteMe that help erase your Internet past.
4. Clean up thoroughly
Disappear from search results.
Search your name - using quotation marks - and make a note of where you appear.
Then it's a case of e-mailing polite requests of removal. You can request the search engines like Google and Bing to remove those hits, but this may need more legal reasons to work.
5. Stay off the Net and watch your friends
It's obvious but fairly simple. Don't log on to use search engines.
Create a fake e-mail address through which you do everything.
And you'll also need to keep tabs on your friends.
Make sure they know not to tag you again, especially on photos of that messy night out.
