10 Rules for Safe Browsing

  1. Be aware: When you go online, you need to be aware of the risks you are exposed to. It is essential to take care with the sites you visit and the files you download.
  2. A good anti-malware: Anti-malware is software that protects you against malicious codes such as viruses, Trojans, ransomware, etc. Having well-configured and updated anti-malware will avoid many problems. But remember that an antivirus does not guarantee your security 100%.
  3. Update your operating system and applications: Having your operating system (Windows, Linux, Apple, etc.) and all your installed applications correctly updated is one of the main guarantees of preventing cybercriminals from gaining access to your computer. Although updating your equipment takes time and sometimes you have to reboot, it is essential for avoiding any security vulnerabilities in your software.
  4. Use robust passwords: It is very important to have a different and very robust password for each type of use (email, social media, online banking, etc.). Any tips? They should have more than 8 characters and combine letters (upper and lower case), digits and special characters; Avoid personal information such as your ID number or names of family members or acquaintances and never use very simple patterns or words from the dictionary. For greater security, we recommend you change your passwords regularly.
  5. Password manager: It is difficult to remember a large number of passwords. Therefore, we recommend you use a password manager that securely saves passwords. You should never note down passwords in bank savings books or in unencrypted files.
  6. Never enter websites with a doubtful reputation: To verify the legitimacy of a website, it is not enough to just look at whether there is a padlock next to the website address. You should check the legitimacy of its digital certificate by verifying that it is currently valid and has actually been issued for the website you want to browse.
  7. Avoid unknown downloads: One of the greatest security risks is downloading files. If you are not completely sure of what you are downloading, delete it or check it before downloading.
  8. Free Wi-Fi networks: If you use a free Wi-Fi network to browse public websites, the risk is minimal. However, you should avoid browsing websites that require entering personal data, such as passwords or usernames, as the Wi-Fi network could be compromised and therefore someone could intercept your personal data. You should take the same precautions when connecting to Wi-Fi networks with a known password.
  9. Take care of your digital identity: All the information you upload to the internet, the images you share on social media, etc. leave a digital trail known as your "digital identity". Therefore, you should be particularly careful about the "digital identity" you create and only upload information about yourself that you consider to be 100% public.
  10. Be constantly aware: Even if your systems are updated, you have a good antivirus and you heed all the above recommendations, common sense is the most important thing when you browse the internet. Remember that you are always the best defence.