5 Online Security Tips Your Family Should Know

Security is a huge importance at my day job in IT and server management. We’re not a huge company by any means but we are constantly storing the personal data of hundreds of individuals. With Covid and the push to move so much more of our work online and “non contact” it became an even larger situation than it had been back in 2019. Already with a job in internet security (not to mention this blog and the other websites I host) I was already changing every single password of mine AT LEAST once a month. When I told one of my co workers that she said I was crazy lol but, seriously, no one should have passwords older than a few weeks!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

We recently upgraded our home internet and realized that we’re not doing anything to keep our private data secure. The number of cyberattacks on regular individuals is constantly on the rise. Unfortunately, the only defense that we had was our preset Wi-Fi router password. This is rarely enough to stop people from looking at personal data.

Whether you’re concerned about your online privacy or want to ensure that your children are safe while navigating the internet, cyber security should always be a priority. Luckily, keeping your family’s private data safe is not as complicated as most would think. Here are five tips that can help you quickly increase your online security.

1. Make Sure Your Home Wi-Fi Network is Secured

Your home Wi-Fi is your family’s gateway to the internet. All phones, tablets, and laptops will first connect to it before accessing websites, social media networks, and game servers. This makes it important to set a strong password that others will not be able to guess. Most routers have randomly generated passwords. However, some models have one-word passwords that are extremely easy to break. If you don’t know how to find your Wi-Fi password, it is usually on the back of the router.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Children’s Social Media Activity

Social media may sometimes seem harmless, but it can be extremely dangerous to children. If your kids are younger than 13, do not allow them to use social media apps. If they’re over this age, ask them to first talk to you about what social media accounts they want to make. Many platforms allow parents to set themselves as guardians and allow them to monitor their children’s accounts.

3. Install Parental Control Extensions on All Family Computers and Devices

All computer and mobile device operating systems offer Parental Control features. Use them to monitor what your children are doing online, what websites they’re looking at, and who they’re talking to. Many hackers don’t need to decrypt data or break passwords. They might ask your children questions that will supply them with all the information that they need to take over your computers and even bank accounts.

4. Only Use Official Software That Comes from Trustworthy Sources

Using pirated or modified software is both illegal as well as the fastest way to have your devices infected with viruses. Only install software and apps that come from official sources and also make sure that your children aren’t trying to pirate computer games.

5. Make Sure That All Family Members Know How to Avoid Phishing Scams

Not all emails and messages should be trusted, regardless of who claims to have sent them. Avoid saving your financial data on your computers and never disclose it to people without verifying their identity. Teach your children how to recognize phishing scams and ask them to always tell you when they get emails asking for their private data. Never give someone usernames, account passwords, Social Security numbers, or bank account details.

As we become more dependent on our computers and mobile devices, large amounts of personal data get stored on them. Furthermore, the accounts that you or your children create can make you vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This makes online security now more important than ever. The tips presented above will ensure that nobody can gain access to your computers, your credit cards, or other sensitive information.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)