There are many ways someone can make the internet a safer place for themselves. From using a good antivirus to making sure you are using complex passwords; you can make it a lot harder for anyone to steal any of your information. I am very interested in this topic because I have used the internet since I was five years old, and I learned it is very easy to fall victim to a virus or other types of malware. By using an antivirus, VPN, a strong password, and knowing a little bit about the internet, you can use the internet safely without worrying that your information might get stolen.

Most common types of malware and antiviruses

These (above) are the main types of malware that a user can fall victim to if they are not being safe on the internet.

 

These (above) are some of the most popular antivirus programs. They can protect you from some types of malware, but you still must be careful when downloading programs or online shopping, as the websites might be fake, and your information could get stolen.

 

How to stay safe

Ways to stay safe while using the internet

  • Use an Antivirus
  • Use a VPN
  • Make sure to use complex passwords.
  • Do not download anything that you are not sure is safe.
  • Do no fall for phishing scams.
  • Do not connect to any public Wi-Fi’s you do not trust.
  • Make sure your system is using a modern operating system and update it regularly.

 

Malware

  • There are more than 1 billion malware programs in the world.
  • 560,00 new pieces of malware are detected every day.
  • There were nearly 10 billion attacks in 2019.

 

What can this teach others?

Being safe on the internet is very important and everyone should know the basics. I hope that more people become aware of the risks they might face when using the internet and learn a few basic things to protect themselves from most attacks.

 

Conclusion

I first researched the statistics of malware attacks and found lots of new information.  I found that even large companies fall victim to malware attacks and that is why it is very important for even the average internet users to be educated on how to use the internet safely. I also researched some of the ways you can stay safe while using the internet.

After researching more about the internet’s safety, I learned that staying safe is very important if you want to protect your identity, financial account details, and your computer. I also learned that I have also been making some mistakes which made me vulnerable to plenty of attacks. There are many ways to protect yourself while using the internet including using an antivirus, using complex passwords, knowing what phishing scams look like, and making sure all your devices are up to date. Hackers are getting smarter every day, so knowing how to use the internet safely is a must.

 

 

References

https://dataprot.net/statistics/malware-statistics/10/5/2022

https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/top-10-internet-safety-rules-and-what-not-to-do-online10/5/2022