Online security is something most of us use on a daily basis, sometimes we don't even know we're using it! It is widely used by websites to keep your personal information as safe as possible. Some websites enforce their security by asking for your email address and other contact information unique to you. Most websites have a disclaimer that explains exactly how the information you provide will be used and/or disseminated. This should be carefully considered to ensure you are fully aware of your digital footprint and how your personal data is stored and used. read more. webcomputerworld
Although most websites and platforms do their best to prevent unauthorized access to your information, the connected and open nature of the internet means that no security system can be 100% secure.
WHAT IS A FINGERPRINT?
A digital footprint is like a record of unique and traceable online activities, posts, communications and actions that are specific to you. When you provide information on a website, sign up for a social media account or contribute to a forum, these activities automatically become part of your personal digital footprint.
Our "digital footprints" or online identities fall into two categories. One of these is our active digital footprint, which is made up of websites and platforms that we have intentionally shared information with, e.g. B. when you sign up for a social media account. The other is called our passive fingerprinting, where our data is collected without us knowing. This is used by companies and websites to track website traffic and is collected automatically. This data is commonly known as "cookies" and is stored while you are browsing a particular website.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF ONLINE SECURITY
Almost all of us use online security on a daily basis. Some commonly used examples of online security are:
Complex Password Entry: Social media platforms and websites
that allow you to have an account or offer a login entry system, in most cases
require you to create a password for future access. With advances in technology
and the sophistication of hacking software, websites are asking for
increasingly complex passwords. They often require a combination of at least 8
characters, consisting of a capital letter, a number and at least one special character
such as a question mark or period.
Security questions: Banks will usually ask you to set up
security questions. These questions are personal to you and you should never
share your answers with anyone. Your bank may ask you to enter the answers to
these questions each time you log in or when it detects you're trying to log in
from a different location than usual. In recent years, some social media
platforms have also started using security questions as a method of identifying
users.
Antivirus Software/Freeware - Antivirus software that can be
purchased or downloaded for free can be very useful in providing protection to
Internet users. Most security products prevent viruses and threats from
accessing or affecting your device. High-quality security products offer a
scanning function to check your device and remove malware in the process.
Always consider the strength of your firewall along with a good antivirus
program to get the best results and keep your personal information as safe as
possible.
Two-Factor Authentication: Increasingly, businesses and
social media platforms are offering two-factor authentication, which is
considered the “second layer” of online security. Two-factor authentication
means more than just a username and password is required when logging into an
account. Most social media companies and platforms do this by texting the user
a unique code. This code expires after a certain amount of time and also lets
people know when someone tries to access their account without permission.
The types of online security listed above are just a fraction of the levels online security plays every day in all of our lives.
THREATS TO INTERNET SECURITY
Regardless of the level and effectiveness of online security we use to protect ourselves, we are never 100% safe from online threats. Some of the most common threats are. read more. healthnutritionhints