By: Juan Carbajal, Contributing Writer
The web and social media are a window into the world that can provide us with many tools as well as opportunities. However, in the same way that it offers benefits, it can also pose threats to our personal lives.
In the digital era, we are constantly exposing our information to a public that we cannot directly see. And, even though some websites or applications may seem secure enough for us to use them, they do not completely guarantee that any personal information won’t be stolen from us.
Therefore, it is not only necessary but also vital for people to be knowledgeable of the different ways in which online privacy can be protected.
In an attempt to help, students become aware of the basic strategies of online security, Dr. Van Nguyen, a graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Associate Professor of Computer Science here at Saint Leo University, explains in detail some tips that can be useful even to those who are not literate with computers.
What can an average person do to remain secure while navigating on the internet?
“Don’t use your account in a strange laptop,” said Dr. Nguyen. “Try not to download strange applications…instead, download the ones that you are familiar with.” By using a computer that does not possess an antivirus or any other defense mechanism, the risk of identity theft rises considerably.
Likewise, applications that do not offer a detailed description of their service or characteristics may contain material that can cause damage to the device they are being installed in.
“Applications in Android can contain malware.” According to him, “To ensure that the application you want to download will not produce any damage on the device or steal any information, look at its reviews or search for it on google. This will give you a broader view of what you are exposing yourself to.”
Be aware of what some applications ask for, when installed, “Some applications, as soon as you download them, will ask you for permission to access or collect your contact list.”
When you download Facebook, and it asks for permission to access your contact list, what does that mean, and how it can affect you? Dr. Nguyen suggests that people should take into account all of the potential risks, not just a few.
Photo Credit: @barisione – Though Facebook seems like a normal application, it can act in unethical manners with user information.
In the case that an application containing a virus is downloaded by accident, what can a person do to protect the device and the information in it?
“Start by uninstalling it. Then proceed to run an anti-virus software or anti-malware software, so it can scan through the system…always try to have a backup, using the cloud, in case that the virus completely damages the computer,” said Dr. Nguyen.
Photo Credit: Christiaan Colen – Depending on the type of anti-virus software, the system scan may require more or less time.
“Another crucial component for maximizing security is updating the computer software.” Besides issues with information, an out-of-date software can produce several technical problems.
“Software sometimes act legit, which means that they only collect information from the user,” said Dr. Nguyen.
Because of the complexity of some terms, such as software and malware, in computer language, Dr. Van Nguyen explains their meaning, “Software, specifically an anti-malware software, is a program that mitigates and attacks from any type of sources. While malware is a program that does not function correctly.”
Additionally, though it may seem obvious, or even as common sense, a good and strong password is key to preserving security online. According to Dr. Nguyen, “a strong password has more than eight characters, with a mixture of uppercase letters, as well as special characters.”
Protecting privacy online is a matter of serious study. Despite the different strategies available to users on every platform, there is no guarantee of safety. Nevertheless, users can teach themselves as well as learn from instructors about how the web functions and how they can ensure an ideal online environment.
