Today’s world is highly dependent on technology and the internet. This makes individuals and businesses susceptible to the dangers posed by the internet, making internet safety of utmost importance. Internet safety refers to the practice of being safe and responsible when using the internet and online technology, particularly in regard to protecting oneself from online threats such as hacking, cyberbullying, identity theft, and exposure to inappropriate content. This involves being aware of privacy settings, creating strong passwords, avoiding suspicious emails and websites, and knowing how to respond to online harassment or scams.

Elements of internet safety
The elements of internet safety include:

• Creating strong and unique passwords helps protect against hacking and unauthorized access to your accounts.
• Understanding and adjusting privacy settings on social media and other websites can help control the information that is shared publicly.
• Being wary of emails and websites that ask for personal information or that look suspicious.
• Keeping software up-to-date, including operating systems, web browsers, and security software help protect against security vulnerabilities.
• Being cautious about sharing personal information online, such as full name, home address, and financial information.
• Knowing how to respond to online harassment or fraud and when to seek help can help protect against negative consequences.
• Staying informed about the latest online threats and best practices for internet safety can help keep you and your information safe.

Tools for internet safety

• There are a number of tools that can aid in internet safety, including:
• Antivirus software: Antivirus software can protect against viruses, malware, and other online threats by detecting and removing them from your device.
• Firewall: A firewall can help protect your device from unauthorized access by blocking incoming and outgoing traffic to and from your device.
• Ad-blockers: Ad-blockers can block annoying and potentially harmful ads and pop-ups, helping protect against malware and other online threats.
• Password managers: Password managers can securely store and generate strong and unique passwords, helping protect against password-related security risks.
• Two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security by requiring an additional code or device in addition to a password when logging into an account.
• Encryption software: Encryption software can help protect sensitive information by encoding it in a way that makes it unreadable to unauthorized users.

Companies like MicroSolutions offer a variety of services and specialize in internet safety through:

• Cyber security software can provide antivirus, firewall, ad-blocker, and other software designed to protect against online threats.
• Cyber security training and education to help you stay informed about the latest online threats and best practices for internet safety.
• Managed IT services such as remote monitoring and management of networks and devices, to help organizations stay secure and up-to-date.
• Penetration testing is conducted to simulate real-world cyber-attacks and to identify security vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems.
• Incident response planning helps prepare for and respond to cyber security incidents.
• Data backup and recovery services help organizations protect against data loss in the event of a security breach.

Tips to stay safe online
Individuals can use the internet safely by following these tips:

• Create strong and unique passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid using easily guessable information.
• Use privacy settings to control what information is publicly shared.
• Do not open emails or click on links from unknown or suspicious sources and avoid entering personal information on websites that look suspicious.
• Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and security software to protect against security vulnerabilities.
• Stay informed about online threats and best practices for internet safety. Educate yourself and others on how to stay safe online.

Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally in February, to raise awareness about online safety and promote the safe and responsible use of technology, especially among children and young people. The day is an opportunity to educate and engage stakeholders, including educators, parents, young people, and industry leaders, on the potential dangers of the internet and how to protect against them. Safer Internet Day aims to create a more secure online environment for all users, by promoting the responsible and positive use of digital technology!