Security, in general, refers to the state of being safe from danger and/or injury.
On the Internet, security usually means making sure that confidential information is kept safe from cyber criminals that try to get their hand on the information for a variety of reasons–from stealing credit card information to identity theft.
Internet security is a big issue. People are growing more and more reliant on the internet for everyday transactions such as online shopping and banking. To protect customers, reputable online sites put in place security protocols designed to combat information theft. However, these security systems are usually insufficient—many people neglect to put in place basic internet security software and procedures on their own computers.
Two of the most basic ways to increase Internet security and avoid information theft include:
Protecting your passwords – Do not share your password. Use different passwords for each online account. Lock your computer when you have to leave it for extended periods.
Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software – Install such software on your computer and make sure that they are updated and are allowed to finish regular scans. Also make sure that you turn on the firewall.
Aside from information theft and fraud, another common internet crime is cyber stalking. This can be something as innocent as a teenager “stalking” their crushes on social media sites. It can also be in the form of real sexual predators who start of their search for victims online and follow through in the real world.
