Life without the internet is unimaginable. At least looking at the teens you are going to say this. Teen browsing habits have gone to new heights. Topping the charts are these social networking sites:
- YouTube
- Instagram etc
The contemporary landscape of teen browsers is not as easy to count on your fingers. But have you ever thought this might call for unsafe browsing practices?
However, preventing teens to browse the internet can take a drastic turn. Rather, Parents, Guardians, and Schools should take the initiative to guide on the positive and negative effects along with safety measures.
Safe Teenager Browsing Habits
Getting online has become a necessity nowadays particularly due to this pandemic situation. Taking some precautions can help to keep the browsing habits of teens safe.
1. Don’t Use the Same Password for Many Accounts
Many make this mistake as operating multiple accounts using the same password. But trust me this gives hackers a big chance to get that single password and log in to all your accounts at once.
While signing up in a new account give a strong password every time. And if you have the fear of forgetting the password seek the help of a trustworthy password manager to assist you in remembering them.
2. Use Browsers with Lesser Vulnerability
Many browsers are waiting to link browsers to the internet. However, remember always to use those browsers having lesser vulnerabilities. Teen browsing habits remain safer limiting the use of such browsers while they are on the network.
3. Use Updated Anti-Virus & Anti Malware Software
You might feel happy thinking of having Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware on your PC or Laptop. But are they updated? Every day new viruses are introduced. This is the reason you should ensure that the Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware on your PC or Laptop are updated to keep your information about updated virus definitions. Hence you can stay ahead of the cybercriminals and threats.
4. Avoid Tracking Cookies
Teen browsing habits can expose them to cookies. Honestly speaking cookies don’t possess a threat to your online security. Nevertheless, if you want to avoid the websites to gather your information in this way you restrict your PC or Laptop to track cookies.
Some sites give you the option to “Disable Cookie Tracking” but this can disable other features of the sites as well. For other websites you can do the following:
- Click on Settings from Google Chrome
- Click on Privacy
- Click on the Checkbox displaying the line – Send a “Do Not Track” request with your browsing traffic
Note that the process is voluntary that might not work for a few websites. To prevent the cookies completely use “Private Browsing Mode” while you are browsing online.
5. Don’t Ignore the Updates
This is something teens often do. Ignore the notifications deliberately as teens find it very much annoying & boring. Usually teens:
- Postpone or
- Ignore or
- Block such notifications
But ignoring these notifications can pose a threat to your browsing. Updating them seeing the notifications can help your machine safer from dangerous files. Such updated software can keep you safe from cybercrimes. So, next time when you see the updates click on “Yes”.
6. Constantly Update Windows
As already discussed in the previous point you should never ignore the updates. You get constant security updates from Windows to fight the viruses. Not updating the Windows you are dragging your device towards vulnerability. Teen browsing habits need continuous system updates to stay secure from online threats.
7. Keeping Multiple Unnecessary Extensions for Browser
Often it has been observed teens prefer adding the following to their browsers respectively:
- Extensions
- Plugins
They do so to improve the working of such browsers. Dangerous extensions can help cyber criminals to gather your private information at ease. Teens can go through some reviews from reliable websites to get the safe browser extensions they can install. Opt for your extensions cleverly and collect them from protected sources.
8. Don’t open Email Attachments Coming From Unknown Person/s
We get emails from unknown people quite often. Your emails may have been hacked and send spam emails to people in your contact list. So avoid opening the attachments coming from them as those may contain viruses.
Additionally receiving mails from your known people also has risks of carrying the virus. Before opening the attachment call that sender and ask if he/she has really sent you any such email attachment and then only open the attachment without fear.
9. Don’t Click On the Links Directly
If you receive any link on your emails don’t directly click into that link as you might be readdressed to a spiteful site. Before clicking on the link/s do the following:
- Simply hover the mouse on the link/s
- A new window will appear
- Check if the link on your mail matches with the one on the window
This can keep you safe from threats.
10. Turning off the Firewalls
Teen browsing habits seem no bounds. And when they feel disturbed about slow internet they simply turn off firewalls on their respective devices. When did they forget to turn on the Security Tool making their devices accessible to all attacks while being online? Not only do these firewalls offer security from virus attacks but also deliver real-time protection specifically while browsing the internet.
11. Ignoring the Security Measure
Two-Step Authentication makes it tough for hackers to get into your private files and emails. But teens don’t have time to wait for this security measure as they feel it a complete waste. It is a must for teens to opt for this security measure for additional protection layer particularly when you are signing into your social site accounts.
12. Think Twice Before Using Free Wi-Fi Network
Not having internet connection Teen browsing habits force them to use a free Wi-Fi connection. But it is high time to avoid such an unhealthy habit. Hackers set a trap targeting teens and as a result, acquire their passwords along with other important information about online accounts. So think twice before saying “Yes” to a free Wi-Fi network.
Summary: Teen browsing habits may expose them towards threats from cybercriminals and hence they should take some precautions while they are online.
