16 Best Internet Safety Tips for You and Your Family

Internet Safety Rules

Safeguard Your Personal Information

• Password Power: Create strong, unique passwords for each online account. A combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is ideal. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. There are dedicated apps to help you create strong passwords.
• Phishing Prevention: Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls requesting personal details. Legitimate organisations will very rarely ask for sensitive information through these channels. Verify the sender's identity before clicking on links or downloading attachments. You can do this by clicking reply and looking over the email address to see if it seems legitimate.
• Wi-Fi Wisdom: Secure your home Wi-Fi network with a robust password. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking or shopping. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added protection when on public Wi-Fi.
• Privacy Paramount: Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media and other online platforms. Be mindful of the information you share publicly and limit access to personal details.

Navigate the Online World Safely

• Sharing with Care: Think twice before sharing personal information online. Be cautious about oversharing on social media, as this information can be misused.
• Fact-Checking Fundamentals: Approach online information with a critical eye. Verify facts from multiple reputable sources before accepting them as true.
• Secure Shopping: Look for the padlock symbol in the address bar before entering payment details. Ensure the website is secure (HTTPS) and use trusted payment methods.
• Device Defense: Keep your operating system, apps, and browser updated with the latest security patches.

Protecting Your Children Online

• Open Dialogue: Talk to your children about online safety, the importance of privacy, and the potential risks they may encounter. Establish clear rules and expectations for internet usage.
• Parental Controls: Utilize parental control features to monitor and restrict online activities. Many devices, internet service providers, and online platforms offer these tools.
• Cyberbullying Awareness: Educate your children about cyberbullying, including how to identify it, respond to it, and seek help if needed. Encourage them to report incidents to a trusted adult.
• Supervised Exploration: Supervise your children's online activities, especially for younger children. Establish designated internet usage times and areas in your home.

Best General Practices for Internet Safety

• Norton 360 Cyber Security: Sign up for Norton 360, the world's leading online security provider and Your Co-op Members can receive heavily discounted home packages.
• Backup Your Data Regularly: Data breaches and hardware failures can happen unexpectedly. Regularly backing up your important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service provides a safety net in case of data loss.
• Protect Your Devices Physically: In addition to digital security, physical protection is essential. Keep your devices in safe places and avoid leaving them unattended in public places.
• Educate Yourself Continuously: The online landscape is constantly evolving, with new threats emerging regularly. Stay informed about the latest online safety practices by following reputable cybersecurity resources and attending workshops or webinars.