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How safe are you on 'Safer Internet Day'!

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DQI Bureau
New Update

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Safer Internet Day which is held to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology, particularly with the increasing accessibility of the internet on mobile devices, mostly amongst the younger generations across the world.

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Safer Internet Day, held on Tuesday 5th February, is coordinated by the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centre's across Europe, and co-funded by the European Commission.

"Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar, and an action that has been taken up across the globe. With this year's theme of online rights and responsibilities, we aim to engage all stakeholder groups - children and young people, parents, carers and educators, and industry and the third sector - to raise awareness that we all have a shared responsibility to make the internet a safer, and better, place for all," says Janice Richardson, Insafe Coordinator.

Google also celebrated Safer Internet Day on Tuesday with the redesign of its "Good to Know" site, offering more tips and resources about how to stay safe online.

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Google isn't the only big tech company celebrating Safer Internet Day. Microsoft has launched a Safer Online Teen Challenge for those between the ages of 13 and 18, designed to help teens learn more about online safety issues.

Here are few most crucial 'must-to-follow' tips compiled from Google and Effendy Ibrahim, Norton Internet Safety Advocate & Director, Asia, Norton by Symantec security tips:

  • Use a long, unique password made up of numbers, letters and symbols for each of your important accounts like email and online banking.
  • What goes online, stays online - Use privacy settings to make sure only your friends and family can see photos you post. Avoid posting holiday plans as criminals have been known to track your movements
  • Check your security and privacy settings - Make sure your social network privacy settings are secured so only your friends can see your personal information and use your privacy settings to restrict who can see your posts, videos and photos
  • Set up your password recovery options and keep them up-to-date.
  • Be careful what links you click on - Avoid clicking links in an email, Instant Message or on your social network unless you are sure the message is from someone you know. Cybercriminals have been known to hack into your friends' email accounts and social networks to send emails or post messages claiming they are in trouble and asking you to transfer them money. Don't believe it if it sounds suspicious or offers something unrealistic
  • Pay close attention when asked to sign in online. Check to see if the web address begins with https:// - which signals that your connection to the website is encrypted and more resistant to snooping or tampering.
  • Always protect your mobile device - Make sure your mobile phone is pin-protected so all your personal information stored on it is safe. Download a security app which allows you to remotely wipe any personal data, should your mobile be lost or stolen
  • Be wary of unsecured or unknown websites - When shopping online, use reputable and known retailers.Make sure any transactions you make only take place across secure web pages which you can identify from the padlock sign in your browser address bar and where the address says http

 

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