Safer Internet Day 2020: Top security tips from the experts

There are several options available to netizens to ensure that they are protected against cyber attacks. In addition, social platforms such as Facebook have tools in place to secure your account. Let’s take a look.

“Don’t post any personal information – your address, email address or mobile number – publicly online. Just one piece of personal information could be used by a complete stranger to find out even more.”

Tom Ilube

Safer Internet Day: How to stay safe online

Secure passwords

Prevention is better than cure, and one way to prevent a possible attack, is to use strong passwords. The best way to create a secure password is to use a mix of random alphanumeric characters and symbols.

Most of us are guilty of reusing passwords. It is problematic as a security breach on one site could compromise a users security on every other site. NCSC technical director Ian Levy explains:

“We understand that cybersecurity can feel daunting to a lot of people, but the National Cyber Security Centre has published lots of easily applicable advice to make you much less vulnerable.”

In addition to the above, use Google’s Password Checkup. One click will tell you if any of your passwords are weak, including whether you’ve reused them across multiple sites.

The Password Checkup tool will also inform you if your passwords have been compromised in a third-party data breach, and will provide you with a link to change it.

Links and files

Don’t click on direct links (in emails, text messages, etc.), especially those that are asking you to enter sensitive information. It’s best to go directly to the source.

Always be sceptical of any unexpected invoice, or request to get or pay for anything by using gift cards. And always, always examine the URL of links to ensure they are legitimate before clicking.

Roger Thompson, chief research officer at AVG Technologies, says: “Think before you link”. It something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.

Enable two-factor authentication

Apart from using a secure password, switching over to two-factor verification – also known as 2-factor authentication or Dual Authentication – is really a no-brainer and adds an extra layer of security.

It makes it a little bit harder for someone else to log into your account. In addition to two-factor authentication, also switch on login alerts, of the platform you’re using supports it.

Social media and the youth

According to Samantha Barnard, Deputy Director at Phambano Technology Development Centre NPC in South Africa, social media “offers so many great opportunities to create, engage and share online”:

“By focusing on Internet safety, we can help the youth really enjoy these benefits while keeping safe from the risks of the online world.”

One of the goals of the Safer Internet Day 2020 campaign is to provide more educational resources tailored to children and teenagers on using social media platforms and staying safe online.

Parents are also advised to report cyberbullying to the appropriate authorities, and check in with their children’s school about policies with regards to dealing with cyberbullying, or support programs.

Safety first

Internet safety isn’t a once-off crash course; it’s a process that needs constant attention. Parents need to stay up to date with the latest scams and predatory behaviour in order to safeguard their children against it.

Understanding the security and privacy tools of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram is also vitally important. Learn more about Facebook’s privacy settings tools here.

“We’re committed to ensuring Facebook and Instagram are places for everyone, especially the youth. That’s why we offer a range of tools on our platforms to give people full control over their experience, and work with our partners to drive awareness about the practices, resources and tools people can use to protect their online wellbeing.”

Jocelyne Muhutu-Rémy: Strategic Media Partnerships Manager for Facebook in sub-Saharan Africa.

Also read – Five easy ways to secure your Facebook account