Online safety

With more and more of a student’s life happening online these days, staying safe on the Internet is critically important.

Here are some tips for safe surfing from Kaspersky, an internet security company.

1. Lock down personal information. Don’t tell people your full name, address, phone number or any other personal information. Think about what you’d tell a stranger you met in person, and leave it at that.

2. Don’t turn off your privacy settings. It’s tempting, we know. But don’t do it. The same information stream that feeds online marketers can also deliver up your personal information to bad actors. Make sure both your hardware and software settings are as tough as they can be.

3. Practice safe browsing. WiFi is convenient, but remember not to share personal information over public networks, such as those in coffee shops, libraries and other public spaces. Also beware of websites that can infect your device. Keep a good, strong security software on your computer and use good common sense when it comes to emails and websites.

4. Be careful with downloads. Malware is a package of software that try to steal your information. It can be disguised as a document, an app or anything else. Don’t download anything that looks suspicious or that comes from a site that you don’t trust.

5. Pick a strong password. No, not “password.” The best passwords are tough to untangle, bearing a mix of at least 15 characters, including capital and lowercase letters, numbers and characters. Don’t use your address or Social Security number, either. Try using password manager software to help you manage multiple passwords so you don’t forget.

6. Be careful what you post. Any comment, picture or post you put online, even if it’s just for a few minutes, is there forever. At any time in the future, savvy web users can dig up your past posts and those regrettable selfies. Don’t put anything online you don’t want your mom, grandma or prospective employers to see.

7. Be careful who you meet. If you’re underage, never, ever meet anyone in person that you’ve met online. Ever. People online don’t have to (and often aren’t) telling you the truth about who they are and no matter how charming they may seem online, they may not have your best interests at heart.