Browsing the internet safely
Why is internet safety important?
Safe web browsing means using the internet while protecting yourself from online risks like phishing, malware, and identity theft. With a few simple habits, you can secure your personal information, avoid scams, and keep your devices safe from harmful software.
As mentioned in the previous chapter, unsafe browsing practices could expose you to:
- Phishing websites that steal your passwords or financial details
- Malware hidden in suspicious links or downloads
- Unsecure websites that don’t encrypt your data
- Cybercriminals exploiting public WiFi to intercept your information.
These risks can lead to you being targeted in the following ways:
- Private and confidential communications, such as emails, can potentially be intercepted and viewed
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Online identities can be stolen and used for criminal purposes. The information stolen is often used for financial gain by being sold online to the highest bidder, used to make purchases or to take out credit cards or other finance in your name
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Computers can be compromised and valuable data destroyed
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Your personal accounts might be accessed, such as bank accounts, where you find that your life savings have been transferred away
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Any one of these could have a significant impact on everyday life, personally and/or financially. That’s why it’s so important to have effective internet security.
We will cover these topics in more detail as you move through this module.