Here at TrueMedical LTD, we believe that you should prioritise and take steps to ensure your online security. We work very hard to ensure all our websites are completely secure and that the sensitive information you provide is safely stored and under maximum protection.
It is of the utmost importance that you make an effort to protect yourself and your information and make sure you are safe when online. Below are some tips that could help you achieve your online safety.
Keep your devices updated
One of the easiest ways to keep yourself and your devices from vulnerabilities is to keep your devices up to date. The recent fast-spreading malware is mainly because of computers who were lacking the most recent updates. Make sure that you regularly update the software on your mobile devices and your computer.
Protect yourself from phishing
Be wary of all the websites you do not recognise or unfamiliar emails who are requesting your private information. Emails that claim to be from a well-known website or your bank could ask you for your personal information.
Refrain from sharing the information in this manner, and if you are unsure about the genuinity of the communication, reach out to the organisation that is using the phone number on the website and try to confirm that it was, indeed, them who had initiated the communication.
Additionally, do not open any attachments or click links in your emails from unknown companies of people. There is a possibility that these emails contain viruses, or that they have been designed as phishing attacks to trick you into divulging your private information.
Install an antivirus software
Your operating system alone is not able to protect you from all the malicious applications. That is why you should consider installing an antivirus software to protect against the majority of malicious attempts. Use antivirus software from reputable companies such as McAfee™, Kaspersky™, and Symantec™, and always update it.
If you are using a Mac, do not believe in the myth that Macs do not have viruses. While there are fewer viruses that target Macs, there is still the possibility of you being affected by a malicious attack, and you should do what you can to protect yourself from it.
Be careful with public Wi-Fi networks
Public Wi-Fi networks aren’t secure, and the information you send or receive can get exposed. Avoid accessing websites with secure logins and internet banking services while connected to various public networks.
Use strong passwords
Ensure that the passwords you use are difficult to guess. The more complicated and longer the password, with lowercase, uppercase, symbols and numbers, the more difficult it will be to break. In addition, do not use the same password across multiple websites. If you cannot remember all the passwords, try out a password manager.
Be mindful of your environment
One of the largest factors that people usually tend to neglect is their environment. When you use a device in a public place, you become susceptible to other people hearing or seeing your sensitive information. If you’re doing anything that involves private information, ensure that you are at a private location and that nobody can overhear your conversation or see your screen.
Secure your portable devices
The portable devices we use on a daily basis are goldmines of private information. What’s more, the majority of applications only request an initial login, only to keep you logged in from that point on. While extremely convenient, not quite safe, especially if you lose your device and you haven’t protected it with a password or a fingerprint.
There are a lot of apps on our mobile phones that we do not use on a daily basis, or ever. Many of these apps seek permissions for accessing certain information, and you should check these permissions on a regular basis and ensure you delete any apps you might not be using, or haven’t used for a long time. Additionally, you can change app permissions in the Settings > Apps > Permissions.
Even when your device is locked and secure, there are still ways to extract the information from your mobile phone. That is why you should try and encrypt all the information on your smartphone.
Protect your children online
Always employ parental controls if allowing children to use your devices. This will stop them from accessing content restricted for their age.
Strengthen your privacy settings
You have to make sure that you manage all your privacy settings properly and that you are not sharing any information without being aware of it. There are privacy settings in the browser, as well as applications and social media accounts.
Remember that any add-ons, extensions, and plugins can be a potential security risk for your browser. What’s more, your browser of choice may be sharing your browsing habits and personal information without you even knowing it. Try to limit your browser by adjusting the privacy and security settings, or by using an incognito mode that will allow you to browse the Internet in the most secure way.
Finally, always check your privacy settings on all social media accounts, such as Twitter or Facebook. Default settings that these social media sites offer give the least amount of privacy protection.
Report possible safety risks
If you feel you’ve experienced an online fraud, report the issue to your internet service provider and they will give you advice on what to do next.
