Ten rules for staying safe online

As the global network penetrates our lives and being online becomes more common than being offline, the risks associated with using the internet also grow. How can you protect yourself from security risks, and what should you do if you can't avoid them?

The ten rules: following a set of ten rules is among the basics of online security and will help protect you from the most common risks.

1. Protect your personal data

There is no reason to publicly enter your address, private phone number and other sensitive details on any website – including social networks. The same applies to payment card details, which should be entered only into verified internet banking and trusted payment gateways.

2. Take time to set your privacy

Marketers aren't the only ones who want to gather as much information about you as possible. Private data can also come in handy for hackers. Check carefully, especially the social networks you use, and make sure sensitive information is not visible to everyone. Privacy settings aren't always simple, because most sites benefit from collecting as much data as possible. So study the privacy options carefully and don't neglect anything.

3. Surf safely

Just as in real life you wouldn't choose to walk through a dangerous neighbourhood, carefully avoid suspicious and potentially dangerous content on the internet too. Don't be lured in by the chance to win the latest smartphone or by supposed photos of naked celebrities. Save up for games and software rather than trusting sites that offer them for free – it isn't worth it. It's also worth going to the cinema to see the latest film, rather than secretly downloading it from dubious sites.

TIP: Read the article Home network security, where you'll learn lots of important information that we recommend applying at home.

4. Secure connection

If you want to connect to the internet at a public place via Wi-Fi, bear in mind that in this case you have practically no control over the security of the connection, because you are neither the owner nor the administrator of that network. When connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, try to avoid entering any sensitive data.

TIP: Also read the article How to secure your home Wi-Fi network

5. Don't neglect passwords

Passwords are one of the most vulnerable points of your internet security. In terms of convenience, it is certainly handy to have an easy-to-remember password for all your accounts, but it won't guarantee your security. Choose complex, longer passwords – for example with the help of generators – and keep them somewhere safe. There are many apps that generate passwords for you and secure them with encryption. Whenever you notice even the slightest suspicious activity, change your password and check your privacy settings.

TIP: To create a password, be sure to also read the article How to create the right password

6. Download carefully

Downloading unverified content is the easiest way to infect your computer with malware. At best you will only notice a "slowdown" and worse performance; at worst your data will be stolen and misused. Malware can take the form of a popular game or a useful application. Always download software from the verified websites of manufacturers, and for games use trusted platforms such as Steam. Trying to save money may not pay off.

7. Pay carefully

Whenever you pay for something online, you will need to enter your payment card and bank account details. So always enter this information only within a secure, verified, encrypted connection – generally, you can recognise such a connection by the address starting with "https" instead of "http", and by a padlock icon in the address bar.

8. Keep an eye on your posts

The internet has no "delete" key. Anything you post publicly is very hard to take back. Even after the original content has been removed – for example from Twitter – copies may have been circulating on the internet for a long time, and practically anyone could have downloaded them without you knowing. A digital footprint is long and very difficult to undo, so before publishing any content, think about whether it could harm you, your career, your family life or someone close to you.

9. Be careful when meeting people

People on the internet aren't always who they seem to be. Dozens of photos on a profile or hundreds of virtual friends on a friends list are no guarantee of safety. Don't believe that the attractive woman from the other side of the planet is really interested in you, or that behind a link she has sent you lie her racy photos. Don't believe the supposed soldier from Afghanistan who adores you and urgently needs exactly your money. Fraudsters can also misuse the profiles of your friends – don't give them your phone number, even when they ask for it in a message, and if you do give it, don't share any codes that arrive.

10. Keep an eye on your antivirus

Internet security software unfortunately cannot detect and neutralise every threat, but it is not worth neglecting it. When it is properly and regularly updated, it can detect the vast majority of common malware and so avert a threat to your computer and privacy.

Updated 5 March 2024