Online Security

Online Security

We regularly write about why it’s important to keep strong passwords and to change them regularly, but it is a message that can’t be stressed enough.

If someone is able to log into your email account, they have access to potentially every other online account you have linked to that email address. If you are aware of some simple steps whenever you are shopping online or are creating an account/logging on to a website:

Check if the website is encrypted

The website will have a green padlock in the address bar and will say it is secure. Most browsers these days will say that websites without this will ask you if you are sure you want to enter your information.

If a website is insecure, hackers can potentially see and take your information that is being sent from your browser to the server.

Man in the middle attacks

These seem to be less common than in the past but are still a very real threat. A few years ago, an unknown number called my mobile and said my computer was infected. Fortunately, I was able to realise that this was a scammer who wanted to remotely log into my computer, however upon taking to other people about it, the number who would have fallen foul to this shocked me.

These can also come about via email or through social media too.

Use different passwords for different websites

This is the most talked about and yet least followed advice, and it is a way of making your online presence that bit more secure. If you use the same password for every online account, it is much easier for hackers to log into each account.