The online world is vast with a number of resources that can help you learn about nearly anything. With all of the good that the internet can bring, there are also dark sides of the internet. These are not always accessible by the regular search engines that you use like Bing or Google. The Darknet is the underground internet that needs to be accessed through a browser Tor. The aim of this is to be untraceable as many people that venture on the Darknet are doing so for less than wholesome reasons. Others might just be exploring this area of the internet out of curiosity as there are a plethora of stories online about strange encounters. The following are things that you need to be careful of when you are online.
Data Leaks of Passwords Being Used as Threats
Changing passwords regularly is imperative when trying to protect yourself online. There are data leaks and hacks all of the time which can reveal private information. A new scam is using passwords from a data leak to threaten you in a variety of ways. Most of these threaten to send out your search history or private videos that have been obtained. These are false threats as the password that you once used was just part of a hack. Take the time to change your important passwords regularly.
Unknown Files Being Downloaded to Your Computer
Visiting areas of the internet that are unregulated like the Darknet should be done with caution but it is not recommended to do at all. There are so many hackers that can easily take control of your computer or install malware. Stories of people being tracked down physically after visiting a certain part of the Darknet have been told but are most likely a myth. The worst thing that can happen is that there are files downloaded to your computer that get you into legal trouble. Sex crimes include that of child pornography which is more than prevalent on the Darknet. You could also put yourself at risk for identity theft in this area of the internet.
Your Children Need to be Taught the Importance of Online Safety
For those people that have kids, you need to teach them how to use the internet safely. Most kids are incredibly technically savvy but are still naive due to their age. Keeping computers in common areas and using parental blocking apps You still need to teach them about not chatting with strangers or ever telling anyone online where they live. Social media should also be monitored as there are predators on nearly every online platform. Checking the devices of your children is important as some want to hide who they are communicating with. Turning off the location on apps like Snapchat is also wise as you never know who they added as a friend.
Being careful about where you visit online is important. You could have a number of negative things occur if you are browsing the internet with reckless abandon. Take time to install the right malware on your computer to help avoid issues.