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Connecting to the internet today has become a norm for most of us, as we enjoy the convenience of public Wi-Fi, using smartphones to download apps, watching live stream videos, shopping online or simply just catching up on news events – connectivity makes life so much easier. So, while we salute the estimated 3.8 billion people worldwide who use the internet – we are the custodians of ensuring that users know it can also be very dangerous.

As the old saying goes, the good comes with the bad. Have you ever considered what would happen if you fell victim to a cyberattack while being connected? The reality is only 53% of people globally use a password for their smartphones, 42% for their tablets and 48% for their computers. So, what are the odds? Well, anyone can fall victim to a cyberthreat or attack, as cybercriminals are always reinventing ways to access personal information or steal a person’s online identity. And while reading this you may think, ‘ag, it can’t happen to me’, if and when it does, it can be distressing. From possibly losing all your contacts, photos, videos and sensitive information, to having your identity stolen and used to open fake accounts, cybercriminals can be relentless. 

As such, Kaspersky Lab would like to share these three top tips which can assist you in protecting your online identity and smart device – to allow you to relax and enjoy your time online.

1. Always make sure your device is protected 

Smart devices these days run on software that allows you to install a variety of apps. Installing a good internet security app for your smart devices can protect your online activity from prying eyes and cybercriminals. A ‘good’ security app has a set of features that can help with making your online experience stress free. The features may include anti-theft, built-in mugshot and remote lock, locate and data wipe. For example, if you lose your smart device at the mall and your GPS was on for the anti-theft feature, you will be able to logon to your portal remotely and track your smart device. In doing so, you would have protected the data stored on your device.  

2. Password protect your device and online space

Passwords should be changed frequently and never re-use them. According to our experience, it is commonly accepted for people to re-use passwords on social network sites or for email accounts, however, this can be dangerous. We always encourage people to make sure that their passwords are strong and unique. This includes a combination of upper- and lower-case alphabetic letters, such as an abbreviation of a sentence i.e. i love Twitter143! = iLT143! And a strong password should be made up of six to seven characters or more. It does take effort but, like many security measures in life, can save you an immense amount of frustration and anxiety. 

3. Be a cyber savvy user

Being cyber savvy means always ensuring that your online world is protected. Making sure that your installed security apps are updated. Being aware of the threats the online world can open you up to and ensure that you do not open unsolicited email attachments or are visiting unknown websites. Furthermore, make sure that your online privacy settings are what you want them to be. Take preventive measures, before the damage is done, to protecting yourself, your data and your online identity.

Remember, more and more of our lives, both professional and personal, depend on connecting to the internet and getting things done. Thus, it has become important and necessary to take online safety seriously to make sure that we are not victims of fake identity and that our data is safe. Fraudulent activities associated with being online is fast becoming one of the world's key unlawful industries and so safety and education regarding your online activities must be taken seriously and proactively. 

You can find more online safety tips on the Kaspersky Lab blog.