How to Kill Tech: Tips and tricks for staying safe on the internet

It’s the internet, so of course, there are cyberattacks. But just because there are many malicious hackers out there doesn’t mean that everyone is trying to hit you with an Internet bomb in an attempt to take your soul. There are plenty of good people who have nothing but love for you and your computer, and they’ll go out of their way to help you navigate the net safely. If you’re also a fan of internet “fanatics” and want to know how to stay safe on the web without turning into a poster child for cyberstalkers, then this article is perfect for you! If you think about it, even if the bad guys win the cyberwarfare arms race and we no longer have access to the vast library of online data that we once did, it will still be safer now than it was before. The same can be said for staying connected while online — whether that means using a VPN or other methods to keep your personal information private from hackers. Let’s take a look at how to kill tech: tips & tricks for staying safe on the internet.


Get a VPN (Virtual Private Network) immediately
A good VPN will help you stay safe on the internet. It will give you an extra layer of protection and make your online experience much more enjoyable. But what’s a VPN? And why should you get one? A VPN is a virtual private network, which is a type of encrypted internet connection. A VPN tunneled through your internet service provider or a website you’re visiting piggybacks on the data transfer link between your computer and the server you’re at. Thus, your internet traffic is invisible to the person on the other end of the connection.


Don’t use the same password for everything
When it comes to online security, the most important rule is to never use the same password for everything. This is very important because if an attacker gets access to your logins and passwords, then they also have access to all of your other sensitive data, like your financial information and health information. Imagine if an attacker got their hands on your logins, passwords, and credit card numbers. From there, all they would have to do is go to an online retailer and purchase whatever it is you’re buying. Or, they could just steal your identity and use it to make purchases in your name.


Be wary of who you trust
You have to be very careful who you trust on the internet. There are many “internet sleuths” out there who are not only clever hackers but also malicious. They will use their skills to try and find information about you that may interest them, like your social media passwords and accounts, your financial accounts, your medical information, and your address. Since they have no way of knowing who you are or what information you have, they may even be able to take control of your computer and see everything that’s on it. This is why it’s a good idea to use a VPN when using the internet. A virtual private network basically changes your IP address and assigns you a new address in another country. Thus, no one can trace your internet travels back to you. Moreover, many VPNs have built-in kill switches that will automatically terminate your connection if you lose your internet connection. A kill switch will automatically turn off the internet connection if you lose power.


Stay off social media
When it comes to social media and the internet in general, it’s a good idea to stay off of it when you’re not working on a project. It’s possible to go a little overboard with both activities, but doing so will only put you at a greater risk of getting hacked. Moreover, some of the more popular social media outlets, like Facebook and Instagram, aren’t very secure. If an attacker gets access to your social media account, then they can see everything you’ve posted to that account. Likewise, if someone hacks into your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) network, then they could access your web-footed friends on Facebook, Instagram, and other sites. This could also lead to a complete loss of your personal data.


Don’t fall for ad-skipping software
We’ve all seen those ad-skipping software tricks that claim to block ads on websites. The problem with this is that these software tricks are actually causing problems for people. First of all, it’s possible to accidentally click on an ad. Thus, you could be providing the bad guys with data to track your online movements. Moreover, if an ad happens to lead to your computer being compromised, then the bad guys could easily use your computer to get onto your computer and access your sensitive data.


Conclusion
Cybersecurity is important, no matter what age you are or where you are in life. Even if you’re in your twenties or thirties, you should be taking basic steps to protect your online safety. Not only is it important to stay informed about current security risks, but you should also be using a firewall to protect your computer from malicious hackers. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) will help you stay safe online, and you can use it with or without a computer. In fact, you can use a VPN on a mobile device as well. So, regardless of where you are in life, you should be using a VPN.