50 Dos and Don’ts of Internet Security for the Year 2015!
This post is to say thank you to all the fans and readers of Quick Heal blog with a recap of some of the most important dos and don’ts of Internet Security. Read on.
The first official post on our blog was live on October 19th, 2006. And since then, we have been diligently striving to keep you updated with the latest happenings in the computer security world. As we are just a couple of days away from welcoming yet another new year, we would like to thank all our fans, readers, and followers for their readership and contribution to this blog. And as a thank you note, we are recapping one of our most commented and read posts – The Dos and Don’ts of Internet Security. We hope that the following tips help enhance your digital experience for the coming year.
Dos and Don’ts of Internet Security
#1. While giving away personal or financial information on any website, check if its URL begins with ‘https’. Also look for the lock icon, which indicates that the connection is secure.
#2. Never shop online, make financial transactions or login into accounts over free, unsecured WiFi networks.
#3. Create long, unique, and hard to guess passwords. Never keep the same password for different online accounts.
#4. Enable Secure Browsing for your Facebook account.
#5. Keep your computer’s Firewall ON
#6. Avoid making your personal information public on social media sites and Internet in general.
#7. Avoid checking ‘Keep me logged in’ or ‘Remember me’ options on websites, especially on public computers.
#8. Use your primary email address to stay in touch with people you know or are acquainted with.
#9. Never use your official email address for social media sites.
#10. For social media sites, use an email address that you do not use for important communications.
#11. Tighten your privacy settings on Facebook so that only your friends are notified about your activity.
#12. Never use any of your personal information such as name, date of birth, address, etc., as your password.
#13. While you are online in a public setting such as a coffee shop, mall, airport, etc., watch your back to make sure no one’s snooping on you.
#14. Never trust emails asking for your personal or banking information. Be extra cautions against links or attachments in unknown or unwanted emails. Verify any such communication with the sender first.
#15. Do away with old accounts that you do not use anymore.
#16. Do not make your photos or videos public on social media sites. Keep them visible to friends you know, and your family.
#17. Never respond to pop up ads that may come up on your screen. Close such pop ups from the task manager; press Alt+Ctrl+Delete.
#18. Before downloading any free software, research on the software and the website hosting it.
#19. Avoid visiting inappropriate websites or websites that you are not fully aware of.
#20. Beware of files with multiple extensions.
#21. Always log out of online accounts when you are done. This is especially important when you are using a public computer.
#22. Do not click or share posts on Facebook that claim to show any unusual content such as shocking videos or magical illusions. Verify such news from other sources.
#23. Access your bank’s website by manually typing its URL in the address bar.
#24. Do not click any links in emails to access your bank’s website.
#25. Keep your software and operating system up-to-date.
#26. Do not install software that comes as an attachment in emails.
#27. Always shop from reputed and know online stores.
#28. Update the Internet browsers and software on your computer.
#29. Use up-to-date security software that offers multilayered protection.
#30. Increase your awareness of cyber security and share the same with friends and family.
#31. Avoid online shopping on public computers or networks.
#32. If you are buying from an online website for the first time, do a little research about the site and go through its privacy policies.
#33. Change your Internet banking passwords at periodical intervals and never share them with anyone.
#34. Avoid saving your credit/debit card information on websites and web browsers.
#35. Never share your financial details on phone or email, even if the caller/sender seems genuine. Remember, people in cyberspace are not always what they seem to be.
#36. Avoid downloading software from unverified publishers.
#37. Always lock your computer when not in use. Do not leave it unattended, especially in public places.
#38. Keep passwords that have a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, special characters, and are at least 8 characters long.
#39. Avoid public networks for accessing websites that require you to sign in to access any information.
#40. If you store any critical information such as social security number, credit card number, bank account details, passwords, etc., in external storage devices, ensure that the data is encrypted.
#41. Accept friend requests only from people you know and have met with in person.
#42. Treat an online stranger in the same way as you would treat a stranger in the real world.
#43. If you suspect that a message from a friend is fraudulent or strange, call or meet the friend to discuss it.
#44. Protect your device with a screen lock. Turn the automatic screen lock function ON.
#45. Don’t root or jailbreak your device. It will make your device vulnerable to attackers.
#46. Install apps only from trusted and official sources.
#47. Turn OFF Wi-Fi, Location Services and Bluetooth when not in use.
#48. Avoid sending or saving personal & overly sensitive information on your mobile device.
#49. Avoid mobile apps that ask for unnecessary permissions.
#50. Install a mobile security app with features such as Anti-malware, Anti-theft, Call & SMS filter, Privacy Protection and Remote Device Management.
And that would be all for the top 50 dos and don’ts of Internet security that will protect you from online threats and hackers this year and the years to come. Have A Happy and Splendid New Year 2015!
Use the comment space below to leave us your choice for the following options:
a) You follow all of these dos and don’ts
b) You follow some of them
c) You follow none of them
d) You will start following them now
260 Comments
I follow some of them and I will start following all of them now…Thank you !!
Thank you so much for the invaluable information. I will start following all of the golden essentials of Internet safety. I feel highly obliged for this most wanted awareness.
I’ll follow some of these.thank you for your suggestion ………now i will try to following all of these…….
a
b
Im following most of the steps… But i start following all of them… Thnks for the information.
i follow all these dos and dont’s
Better suggestions for network users…….. thanks for tips.
internet security !! is protecting beauty !! if injury causes recover with Quick , applying Quick heal it up that beauty of internet security.
thanks
Use most of them but still act careless during some situations. Nice info for fresher’s.
I follow all of them. Thank you.
Highly recommended for all internet users.!
Thanks. You follow all of these dos and don’ts
I follow most of them
Wonderful information; you’ve put almost everything at one place, if anyone follows all these safety instructions then there’re actually very fewer chances of them being vulnerable online.
I myself have put QuickHeal Total Security on several computers and recommended many people to use it.
I follow some of them and I will start following all of them now…Thank you !!
Wonderful information; you’ve put almost everything at one place, if anyone follows all these safety instructions then there’re actually very fewer chances of them being vulnerable online.
I myself have put QuickHeal Total Security on my computers and recommended many people to use it.
Its more help full tips. Thanks
I am already using almost all of the suggested tip. But anyways thanks a lot.
I follow most of these DOs and DON’Ts for the Internet Security and will try
to follow more DOs and DON’T as per necessity. Your guidelines in connection with the Internet Security are very much helpful to the Internet users. I am using QH Total Security 2014 and it is working very effectively and now I have no tension for my computer’s security. Please keep on helping us in this way.
A good and useful information. I have prcticed some of these but would be careful on other details as well. Thanks
I follow most of them and I will try to follow all of them now. Thanks for valuable guidelines.
I follow some of them I will try to follow all of them …thank you
I follow some of them and I will start following all of them now…Thank you !!
onderful information; you’ve put almost everything at one place.
Thank you very much for your most valuable advice, sir!
I was following some of your instructions – but I will now follow ALL OF THEM from nowonwards.
Thanking you again,
Chandrakant.
Despite being and IT/MIS manager I found some more saftety tips I was usually ignoring..Now a big NO for such stupidity. I am a proud Quick Heal Products supporter since almost 12 years..
Thanks these do’s and don’ts a revert important and most secured way to handle day to day transactions over net. Some were really new for me and I really use some of them
I follow some of them and I will start following all of them now…Thank you !!
I am following most of the them and I will start to follow the remaining one or two also. Thank you very much for valuable information.
I Follow some of them and will definitely try to follow all. Thank you Quickheal team. I trust you and appreciate your awareness Initiative.
yes, its very useful, i follow some of the above mentioned, in future i follow the all for secure & safety banking, thanking yaar..
Such a usefull Information.
I will follow some of them.
Thanks for the information,I will follow all of them.
thanks for your advice and i will surely follow this
great thanks should share this
whats the meaning of share
& nice advie
Reshimiakal laden,
Thank you. Could you elaborate on the question “what’s the meaning of share”?
Regards,
follow some of them, start following all of them.
Thanks. I follow some of them, but now I will follow them all.
a,
Excellent list of tips for internet user. Thanks
On item no.23.
Should we type the URL manually every time in the address bar? Is it not safe to click the URL that is saved in the ‘favorite / bookmark ?”
Kushal
Hello Kushal Mukhoti,
There are certain malware that can change the settings of your Internet browser. But, if your computer is well protected, then you can access sites from saved bookmarks. However, this practice of manually typing the URL is recommended for accessing sites which deals with monetary transactions.
Regards,
d
Thank u
b….wil try to follow all of them…good article…Thank you.
Yes,I am follow the do”s and donot”.Thank you.
I follow some of them indicated above. I start follow the remaining. Thank you very much for your valuable suggestions.
…MK
I follow most of these instructions
I follow all the do and don’ts
Thanks for the valuable information,
I follow most of them…
and i will follow the remaining once from now onwards,
Can u provide more tips and tricks on this topic?
Some points I did not do. I’ll do from right now…
Thanks…
How to block popups in Mozilla Firefox browser?
Hello Bp,
Kindly follow the steps given below to block popups in Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open the browser
2. At the top of the Firefox window, click Tools and then select Options
3. Select the Content tab
4. Check the box against Block pop-up windows
For more information, please visit Block popups in Firefox
Regards,
i use some of them but now surely i will abide by it.
I will start following these steps from today.
Thanks & Regards,
Vinay Prasad
I follow most of them, but not all.
Sure, I will take it seriously.
Thanks.
follow all to avoid any risk.
follow some of them
lots of thnx sir….nw frm onwards i’ll follow all the necessary steps….
Option b
I am follow all of these dos and don’ts
I do follow most of the practices but not all. Very usefull safety tips, thanks.
I m following it.
I will br try to follow them but I must follow some from them
THANK YOU
Very usefull safety tips, thanks.
I follow most of them …. with Quick Heal on I know I am safe almost all the time.
Yes I follow all of them.
really nice….. keep advising….thanks
I have heard that we should not download any antivirus from the net, nor should we copy it from any other source rather than purchasing the software. Is it true? Why is it so?
I Better Follow Them Now..!
on item no:20
hello Rajib sir !! how to know in advance that a file is having multiple extensions before we open it??
It is very informative. one more thing ” USE VIRTUAL KEYBOARD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN NETBANKING”
I follow some of them.
Keep on parting. Thanks, I follow some, will try to follow all.
Yes I follow some of them & will try to follow the rest.
I follow some of them & will try to follow all of them. Thank You for nice info
start following them now
nice
thanks for the information
i follow all the dos and don’t.
by the way thank u for this info.
it’s so good suggestion for my all client and me to.
I follow all these.thanks
i follow only some of them. Hence forth will follow all of them. Thank you for the invaluable suggestions
I thank Quick Heal for this information provided. I follow some of this do. but from now I will follow all the necessary steps.
a
I will follow all of them thank You..
Thanks
A
I will follow these instruction, Thank you.
Thanks Rajib,
That was quite informative ,shall certainly act.
Regards,
Raj
Its very helpful for all internet novice, thanks.
I have not been following all of them but I do follow some. Thanks . Will now follow remaining as far as possible.Your advice is not to shop online. How about online payments using ATM / credit cards /internet banking ? Please advice as these are very convenient and hard to avoid.
Hi Avinash,
Yes, we have advised users to avoid shopping online over unsecured and free WiFi networks. Such activities are safe if the WiFi being used is secured.
Regards,
thanks for this…..!!!
and i will follow this now
a
I follow some of above.
Thanks
I want to remove completely uninstall Skype. I tried several times but failed. Is your software can help. Please remove it. It is not at all suitable for India.
Hello Dr Chandra Bhushan,
Kindly follow the link given below:
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10634/how-can-i-completely-uninstall-and-then-reinstall-skype-for-windows-desktop
Regards,
d
Do not follow all. But Yes, will be careful in the future.
Thanks
I cannot remove the RECYCLER virus with quick heal – QH says the file is free of infection .
Pl suggest
Hello Purshottam Peswani,
Kindly contact our support team at 0-927-22-33-000.
You can also raise a query at https://www.quickheal.com/submitticket.asp. Our support team will get back to you to resolve the issue you are facing.
Regards,
I use some of the tips mentioned, need to do a few more
I will follow this do’s & don’ts from now onwards
thanx a ton !!!
Some points, not all were known. Many thanks for the suggestions. Shall be more careful in future. specially thanks for the procedure of blocking pop up windows, they are really irritating, and I didn’t know how to block them permanently.
how to enable secure browse???
right from activation i m trying it but not getting my solution… pleaseee help
Hi Aniket,
1. Go to Settings of your Facebook account
2. Click Security and then Secure Browsing
3. Check the box shown and then Save Changes
Regards,
No secure browsing option is there at security option in Facebook
Regards,
Thanks for imparting knowledge about cyber safety. Yes I do follow some of the Do’s & don’ts listed.
Thanks its important to follow the suggested precautions for a hassle free networkings.
i will start following them, thanks to quick heal, credit goes to you
How to enable Secure Browsing for my Facebook account?
Hi Himansu,
1. Go to Settings of your Facebook account
2. Click Security and then Secure Browsing
3. Check the box shown and then Save Changes
Regards,
I don’t find “setting” in my Facebook account while I open Facebook. Why does it happen?
I follow some of them and I will start following all of them now…Thanks a Lot.
Security is a challenge in our day to day life, i will follow these advise as far as possible. Thanking you.
I follow some of them but Now I will follow all of them.
thanks to Quick Heal
I FOLLOW SOME OF THEM AND GOOD FOR ME.
THANK YOU
will follow this do’s & don’ts from now onwards
b
yes i follow
follow some of them and I will start following all of them now…Thank you !!
B
I follow all of them. I have a problem that my computer does not recognize Quickheal as an antivirus and keeps showing messages that I don’t have any antivirus. Please do help if possible.
Hi RPJ,
Kindly contact our support team at 0-927-22-33-000.
You can also raise a query at https://www.quickheal.com/submitticket.asp. Our support team will get back to you to resolve the issue you are facing.
Regards,
Thank you for your great article. I really like it.
I follow all the points mentioned above
Thanks
I follow your article.
Nice jobs- Tahnks
I think required security suit content.
1. antivirus
2. Anit-Malware
3. Fire wall.
Please also write article about virtual Browser.
I follow some of them and will start following all of them.
But I do’t understand what are ‘files with multiple extensions’. What are they?
Hi Kaustubh,
Thank you for your comment.
Files with multiple extensions may be Trojan Horses or other malware waiting for you to open them and release their nefarious content. Be careful with these files.
Examples of these files are readme.txt.exe
Regards,
So, is it OK to open such files after check them with anti-virus and no virus is detected?
Hi Kaustubh,
Yes it is ok. Once you have checked the files there is no more that can be done before opening them. But it is advisable to ensure that the files are genuine in the first place.
Regards.
Really Helpfull
Thanx.ll try following these guidelines now onwards.
What about apps which ask for a few permissions but they might have access to other things as well? How do we know it?
Hi Shaan,
Google has made it mandatory for all apps to only ask for those permissions that they need. No app will take more information than what it specifies in its permissions list at the time of installation.
Regards.
Really verry verry helpful
I will start following them now
thanks for your good, best suggestions abt 50 dos and donts
Useful Checklist and information. Thanks a lot.
thank you for the valuable info.
yup i follow all of the dos and don’ts…. hurrayyyyyyyyyyy
Thanks sir
Thanks for info.
One Query:- Is the Wi Fi connections like reliance, docomo etc. secured or insecured?
Hi Arun,
A secured Wi-Fi connection is made secured if it is password protected by WEP or WPA2 standards. A service provider has nothing to do with maintenance of this. Does your Wi-Fi have a password to access it? If yes, then it is secured.
Regards.
I follow most of them, wanted to ask one thing. How wud i know or how could i make my data encrypted in mobile phone?
Pls do reply.
Hi Hasan,
Which mobile device do you have? You can simply run a Google search about how to encrypt data on your specific model. All modern phones have the ability to encrypt the data within it.
Regards.
Thank you Rahul. I use Gionee smartphone, hope it encrypts data by default.
One more thing to ask that, installing an unverified app/launcher asking full permissions, does that unknowingly fetch/steal data secured in a wallet app also?
Hi Hasan,
If you can look in the Settings section of your phone, I’m sure you will find an option for encryption there. Moreover, new versions of Android definitely provide encryption capabilities by default.
If the unverified app/launcher that you have installed is asking for a lot of seemingly unrelated permissions, it is best to not install them. Usually Android’s architecture is designed so that one app cannot look at or steal data from other installed apps. However, this can be made possible if the developer of the rogue app is highly skilled and proficient. Usually, the rogue app itself would request permission to access sensitive data. So it is important to read reviews of the app, understand its functionality and read its permissions carefully before installing.
Hope that helps.
Best regards,
Thanks sir
I am sure to follow the maximum number of internet securities advised by Quick Heal Management.
it is good to follow all net users.
thanks
I follow some of them, but from now on I will follow all of them …..Thank you for your good advise.
Thanks its important to follow the suggested precautions for a hassle free networkings.
Thanks
Really helpful
Very much valuable suggestions/tips. Thanks to one and all.
I follow all of them ever…….
Thank you.Lot to be followed
Thank youfor the invaluable information. I will start following good essentials of Internet safety. I feel thankful for healthy awareness.
Thanks a lot. I follow some of them. Will follow rest of them.
Thank you dear frnd for the information…
I posted but it was lost due to wrong CAPTCHA Code. Now I shall not rewrite my those comments. Please refine your software further.
Hi Prof. C B Singh,
We apologize for the inconvenience. Your feedback has been passed to the concerned team and we shall improve the CAPTCHA code service as soon as possible.
Best regards.
Quickheal is master of antivirus,very good application
All should be followed !
Many thanks for your guidance.a warm happy new year from me.Shall
I follow some of them, but will start following all of them
I keep being bothered by my green lock on https turning gold. I have been in settings and it does not help. It say Certificate information. This certificate is intended for the following purpose of
* Ensures the identity of a remote computer
* Proves your identity to a remote computer
then they say my page is encrypted and there are several things quarantined. This all comes from DIGICERT HIGH ASSURANCE CA3
I had team viewer at one time, it has been uninstalled. I had HP Remote, which has been uninstalled. I know nothing about any remote computers and all they want me to do is try something for 5 days.
Hi Carolyn,
We suggest that you run a full-system scan on your PC to start with. After that, go through your web browsers and see what add-ons and plugins are installed and working. You will probably find some unwanted programs there so you should go ahead and uninstall them. If the problem still persists beyond that, then you should contact our technical support center.
Regards.
thanks,i obay all your advice
Thanks
I will follow them as suggested
Very comprehensive list of guidelines
I do follow some of them
Thanks for your guidelines to follow.
thank for this valuable advice i follow this . thank you
I follow some of them right now. I’ll use this helpful information to follow the rest of them and also get my family and friends to follow them.
i download total security but it will not running
Hi Lokanath,
We apologize for the inconvenience. Can we request you to contact our support center with this issue? They can be reached on 0-927-22-33-000 or you can submit a ticket by visiting this link – https://www.quickheal.co.in/submitticket.
Best regards.
Wonderful suggestions…..I followed some of them….
Following most of the instruction. Thanks
So, is it OK to open such files after check them with anti-virus and no virus is detected?
Hi Harish,
Yes it is ok. Once you have checked the files there is no more that can be done before opening them. But it is advisable to ensure that the files are genuine in the first place.
Regards.
Thank you so much for listing the dos and donts of internet security. I follow some of them. 🙂
Happy New Year
Thanks for Service
thanks for publis this.
Happy new year
Thanks for services
I follow most of them
Thank you so much for making a comprehensive and exhaustive list, Though I follow mostly all of them, however I find that most emphasis is placed on use of public network.
i follow some of them… bt nwonwards i will follow all… thank u so much for ur most valuable guidence towards our security… HAPPY NEW YEAR…
thanks
I follow some of them but will start to follow all
I follow some of them and I will start following all of them now…Thanks a lot !!
May i update my quick heal online without activation. I can not purchase original one because of cost.
Kindly advice
Hi Mannu,
Unfortunately, you cannot update your Quick Heal virus database if the license is expired or not activated. You can download the trial if you do not wish to purchase the product outright.
Regards.
I Follows most of them………..
Wish You Happy New Year 2015
I follow (a)
b- I follow some of the do’s and dont’s and and will follow all in future. thanx, smita
Thanks a lot Friend for giving so many Do’s Doesn’t about internate…..
most usefull information
Thanks again frnd
HI…..
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THOSE WHO READ THIS DOS AND DON’S INTERNET SECURITY OPTIONS. VERY NICE. GOOD JOB. I WILL FALLOW YOUR TIPS. THIS TYPE OF AWARENESS IS IMPORTANT NOW A DAYS. THANK YOU
follow all of these dos and don’t
Thanks & I will Use it.
We follow most of them.
I follow all of them.
Thanks, I follow this Dos or Don’ts rule….
I do follow a few of them. Shall try to comply with all of them soon. Thanks. Await more such useful information in time to come.
it’s a very very usefull i will do
HaPpY NeW YeAr It is soooo easy to handle
Really Helpfull
Would is a great
now i will start to follow this . and i have one problem that while i m using the quick heal total security even my quick heal is up to date but still it didn’t identify or detect the worms while i scan any pen-drive or hard disk volume .so suggest the solution for it .
Hi Swapnil,
We regret the inconvenience caused but can you please share some details about these worms. These details would include the name, possible screenshots or any other notable information that you can share.
Thanks and regards.
Great app it protects virus faster
THANKS.am fallowing some but now i will fallow all. once again thanks & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Happy new year
it is very very usefull.
thank you
thanks a lot for such an elaborate guidelines. I am trying to follow some of them. but will definitely follow the remaining also
Thanks a lot for this valuable information. D.
thanks,i will fallow its.
Must follow tips ,thanks for such a post.
Nice information….I’m following most of them, will follow the remaining….thank you for the information
it is very usefull
Even though most of us are aware of the security guide lines still the compilation is very useful. Thank you.
Wish all a bright and prosperous NEW YEAR. Happy NEW YEAR 2015.
Really a usefull guidelines..
Thanks, really these are very-2 usefull guideline for every one who use the INTERNET every time on PC, Mob, Tab …
Thanks a lot sir. I was ignoring about it.but now is following and requesting you to always guide us for our security, thank you.
Yes i will follow the rules
B.It’s vry usefull tips for me.Thank You Quick Heal team.
I follow some points of them and remaining will resolve from right now…. Thanks for information…Having a secure new year 2015 with quick heal
Thank you so much for this useful things, I will 100% follow it. Thank a lot.
thank u for making us aware
jthank u.. for informing me..
I like it
I am verry happy to this security
I am very happy to this security used
plese give mi product key
Hi Raghvendra,
For your Product Key, we request you to contact our support center. They can be reached on 0-927-22-33-000. Alternatively, you can visit this link and submit a ticket – https://www.quickheal.co.in/submitticket. Our technical team will then contact you and help you out.
Regards.
Thnq very much for did useful information……
I follow some of them and I will start following all of them now
requesting you to always guide us for our security, thank you.
very nice post..
Very useful point.You will be a very happy surfer if you follow them all.w387
Very nice
I liked the do’s don’t do & will try to follow all of them.
A good and useful information for better security.
Be Secure..with Quick Heal..!!! 🙂
I will follow nowE
ThaThanks, will follow from now.
excellent guidence, Thank you on behalf of rest of the world.
Thanks! Surely, I will start following all these.
very good
I am happy with this security . Hope it will be same with me.
I follow some of these but from today itself i will follow all of these
This is very good. You are very kind!
i followed all these before