Online Safety Tips
Last updated:
Use the internet with confidence, with ten simple things that actually make a difference.
Whether you are new to the internet or have used it for years, these tips will help keep you and your family safe online. None of them require any technical knowledge, and most take a few minutes to set up once and then look after themselves.
1. Use Proper Antivirus Protection
Windows comes with basic protection called Windows Defender, which is better than nothing but still limited. A proper antivirus program adds real-time protection and safer web browsing, and blocks modern scams and ransomware before they cause harm.
We can supply and install reliable antivirus software for you. Get in touch to discuss the best option for your device, or see our annual management plans, which include antivirus.
2. Keep Software Updated
Updates do not just add features, they close security holes that criminals have already found. New exploits appear every week and software companies release updates to block them. Turning on automatic updates for Windows, macOS and your phone keeps you protected without you having to think about it.
3. Use Different Passwords for Each Account
Using the same password everywhere means that if one account is broken into, every other account is open too. Use a password manager to store and fill them in safely instead.
Google Password Manager is free and easy to set up: visit passwords.google.com while signed in to your Google account, or download the app from the App Store on mobile. It uses your phone's PIN or fingerprint to protect everything.
4. Back Up Important Files Regularly
Save important photos and documents to an external USB drive or a cloud service such as Google Drive or OneDrive. If your computer fails or picks up a virus, a backup is the difference between an inconvenience and losing irreplaceable memories and paperwork.
Kapiti Computers can set up automatic backups for you so everything is protected without effort on your part.
5. Lock Your Devices Automatically
Always use a PIN, fingerprint or password to unlock your computer and phone, and set them to lock quickly when you walk away. An unlocked device lets someone plug in a USB stick and copy your personal data in seconds.
6. Do Not Click Odd Links or Open Unexpected Attachments
If an email or message arrives that you were not expecting, especially
one with a link or attachment, stop and check who sent it. Hover over or tap
the sender's name to reveal the full email address, and make sure it is the
real domain (for example support@google.com or
noreply@facebook.com) rather than a look-alike.
7. Be Cautious With Online Payments and Shopping
When shopping online, use sites that show a padlock and start with
https:// in the address bar. Avoid sellers who ask for direct
bank transfers or gift cards, which are almost never recoverable. A credit
card or a trusted payment system such as PayPal gives you protection if
something goes wrong.
8. Be Careful What You Share Online
Think twice before posting your address, date of birth or family details on social media. Scammers collect exactly this information to impersonate you or guess your security answers. Keep your posts private and share personal updates only with people you know.
9. Check Account Activity and Signed-In Devices
Every so often, open your email, Google or Microsoft account settings and look at which devices are signed in. If you see something you do not recognise, sign it out and change your password straight away. It is a simple way to catch a break-in early.
10. Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off, whether that is a strange email, a caller claiming to be from Microsoft, or an offer that seems too good to be true, pause and ask someone you trust before acting. A few seconds of caution saves hours of trouble. Nobody legitimate will ever phone you out of the blue about a virus on your computer.
Worried You Have Been Caught Out?
If you think you have clicked something you should not have, given details to a scam caller, or your computer has started behaving strangely, do not wait to see what happens. The sooner it is dealt with, the less damage there is to undo.
We remove malware, clean up hijacked browsers, secure compromised accounts and check whether anything was taken, onsite anywhere on the Kāpiti Coast or remotely the same day.
Prefer to prevent problems rather than fix them? An annual management plan covers antivirus, security settings, updates and cloud backup, set up onsite or remotely.