Each of us instinctively promotes security in our day-to-day lives. We roll up the windows and activate the alarms on our cars when we leave, lock our doors when we arrive home, and notice anything out of the ordinary when we leave.  Whether we’re on a computer, phone, or tablet, we are all connected to the online world. The good news is that this makes it possible for us to do so much more than we were ever able to before. But this also means that there are new risks and threats out there that require our careful attention.

As we enjoy the benefits of modern technology there are some things that need our constant vigilance. As Internet users engaged with all sorts of digital content and tools, it is vital for us to stay safe online. There are easier ways to steal information from you than ever before, and online predators are lurking as well. And even if digital dangers aren’t your concern, it's still important to keep yourself safe from viruses and hackers when browsing online or doing anything else digital-related. So here we are with a few tips that will help you secure your journey online: -

Before leaving your house, lock up your computer just as you would your personal belongings. Unlocking your computer for even a moment can led to an intrusion or theft that is virtually impossible to recover from. Choosing complex passwords is also crucial for protecting the way back in.

Don't share your passwords. You may have heard this advice many times before, but it has a few deeper meanings you might not have considered. The first and most obvious thing is that you should not reveal your password to others. In addition, you shouldn't let family members or friends access your password-protected work devices. Separate work and personal activities on separate computers instead.

Additionally, avoid sharing passwords across multiple software platforms or websites. Data loss is largely caused by password reuse. Once a website has been compromised, attackers will attempt to steal more information by using the usernames and passwords they discovered on every other website they visit.

In the same way, you shouldn't give out your passwords or share accounts with others, you shouldn't reuse your passwords. It might be a good idea to re-use the same password, but with a different character at the end? The idea is also not good. Using fewer characters makes it easier for someone to break in.

You have to remember dozens of unique passwords using numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and more than 11 characters for all the online services you use every day. Password managers can help in this situation. Many password managers are available, depending on your needs, but Dashlane, LastPass, and 1Password are some of the more commonly known and used ones.

Front-end features can help you protect your personal information from time to time when software developers introduce them. Particularly true for companies who have a vested interest in protecting your data, such as banks and data platforms used to store and access sensitive commercial documents and personal information.

Two-factor authentication is an example of these features. You've likely seen it on many of the services you use at work and at home. It may seem like an inconvenience to add an extra step to your login procedures, but it can play a major role in keeping your data, and the data belonging to the company you work for, or the clients you serve, safe from hackers.

Our mobile devices are another source of misplaced trust. Usually, we tend to put much more personal information into it than we would reveal to a trusted confidant, let alone a device over which we have limited control and is supplied by a company that generates income from the information. 

Despite the fact that we believe our carrier to be reputable, they deal with many smaller and less reputable companies, and your trust is implicitly placed in them. Take care with your personal information, especially your date of birth. Your information shouldn't be shared with just anyone or any app. It is important to know how they plan on using the details before you agree to them, and it is rarely necessary.

Many of us would never sign a document without reading it first, but we will happily click "Agree" to make something disappear. You should really read what you are about to agree to when you agree to new things for the first time. You should consider carefully what to do next if it requires you to share more information than you should for what you get in return. Our freely given, personal data has not always been handled responsibly by many companies. Data breaches are reported in news outlets daily, and this is evident.

Cold calling by home and mobile phones, presenting impossible situations, has increased dramatically. In spite of what these callers may tell you, your utility company did not suddenly decide to give you money because you pay your bills on time. The pitch may sound official, but don't let that fool you. The same holds true for text messages, which are overly trusted. Sending a text back to those numbers, email addresses, or vanity codes verifies that they received the information and found a way to entice you.

Is there anything you can do? Don't respond to spam or unsolicited advertising. By clicking a link to be removed from a list, you confirm the message was received and invite more advertising. In addition to billing you, vanity codes on mobile devices can also verify that you got the message and allow them to text you in the future. On your mobile device, you can block the number and delete the message.

It is just as important to practice good habits in cyberspace as it is in the real world. The fact that so much of modern life is conducted online should make these habits natural to you like everything you do to keep your home safe. It's well known that the safety of the internet and online communities are important.