June 7, 2021
Updated: March 17, 2023
Keep your home internet connection secure and ready for use by following these five simple steps.
Being online provides us with so much enrichment — from entertainment to communications to smart home technology — that makes our lives easier and more comfortable. But the widespread use of digital resources and apps can raise concerns about personal and financial security. We've put together some internet safety tips for protecting you and your family online.
1. Secure Your Wifi Network
Many households now benefit from a connected home — with everything from our TV and entertainment systems to phones, tablets and smart appliances — all using a central wifi router and wifi network. That's why it's so important to secure your router to protect yourself from someone poaching your connection or stealing your personal information.
Start by installing security software that protects your devices from malware and viruses and ensuring that software is always up to date. Cox's Panoramic Wifi Advanced Security system monitors real-time activity and sends alerts if it detects possible network threats.
Should an unrecognized or unauthorized user connects to your wifi, Panoramic Wifi Advanced Security will automatically block the user and notify you. The same happens when suspicious sources, such as IP addresses previously flagged as dangerous, try to access your devices.
2. Get a Password Manager
We log in to so many websites and apps these days, and it can be hard to keep track of all your passwords. Though it's tempting to use a couple of memorable passwords for all your online accounts, this puts you at risk. If one site gets hacked, malicious actors can use those credentials to access your address, credit card information and other personal details on other sites where you've used the same password.
It's equally important to set strong passwords that do not contain full words or guessable names and dates. Perhaps the easiest way to keep your personal data safe is to use a password manager, such as 1Password, which generates and stores strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. For added security, you can opt for two-factor authentication wherever possible.
3. Be Careful What You Click
A phishing email or text message is a fraudulent attempt to access your personal information. Often, attackers masquerade as legitimate institutions, and messages encourage you to click on a link, download an attachment or input sensitive data.
Even if you don't share any personal information directly, clicking a link or downloading an attachment from a phishing message can install malicious software, aka malware, onto your device and lead to identity theft. While email spam filters can protect you from phishing messages, they don't always catch everything.
Security software can further help deter such threats. The Security Suite Plus Powered by McAfee, for example, offers real-time and scheduled protection from viruses and malware.. It also may prevent you from visiting a site that could contain malware, spyware or a virus.
4. Share With Care
When uploading or inputting your personal information onto social media platforms and other legitimate websites, try to share with care. Whether it's a personal photo or your relationship status, a copy of the information is stored even if you later delete it.
Remember that other people can download and save the photos you post online, too. Of course, one of the joys of social media is sharing your favorite photos, stories and life events. It's important to regularly check your privacy and security settings to ensure that you're comfortable with who can access your information.
5. Keep Your Apps Up to Date
Apps are useful and convenient, but they can come with a catch. Some apps require access to your personal data, so always check your privacy settings to ensure you're not sharing more information than is required. Plus, remember to update your apps — developers are constantly fixing potential security loopholes.
Remember These Internet Safety Tips
Just like the real world, the virtual version is a place where you need to understand the rewards and risks and act accordingly. By following these cybersecurity best practices, you can help shield you and your loved ones from potential harm.
More About Protecting Your Home Wifi Network
- How to Tell If Someone Is Stealing Your Wifi
- Do I Have Too Many Devices on My Wifi?
- 10 Best and Worst Wifi Passwords
Did you know?
Cox offers more than 4 million mobile hot spots, allowing you to access the internet on the go.
