Safer Internet Day 2019: Move safely on the Internet

Trojans, viruses, malware or phishing - does this link lead to a harmless site? Or is it a fraud attempt? And what is the best way for Internet users to protect themselves against a cyber attack? Time and again, the media report about cyber attacks, the theft of sensitive data or malware - but there is effective protection.

"Many Internet users play with the security of their own digital identity, because they don't know the risks or see themselves as interesting targets for cyber criminals. Successful attacks are then particularly easy for the perpetrators to carry out," explains Eddy Willems, Security Svangelist at the IT security company G DATA. "Users can protect themselves against online attacks, cyberbullying and the like if they already follow a few simple security tips".

• Well protected on the Internet: A comprehensive security solution with powerful real-time protection is part of the basic equipment of every computer, smartphone and tablet. Users are particularly well protected with the G DATA security solutions with newly integrated DeepRay technology. With the help of artificial intelligence, it provides even better protection against harmful processes.
• Be up to date: The software, apps and operating system installed on the PC and mobile device should always be up to date and all available updates should be installed immediately. This allows users to close security gaps that criminals could exploit for attacks.
• To the digital recycle bin: It is best to delete all spam mails immediately and never open any links or file attachments contained in them.
• Use passphrases: Using a single word as a password is considered insufficient security. Passwords such as "fussball1234" or "passwort+" are too easy to guess. Therefore, you should always use a passphrase that cannot be found in any dictionary but is easy to remember at the same time. This is important because cybercriminals use statistically probable combinations that quickly uncover a known sequence of words and thus make the password insecure again.
• Children safe online: Parents should teach their children how to use the Internet safely. A child safety feature helps them to do this and prevents, among other things, young people from accessing websites about drugs, violence and pornography.
• Be careful with short URLs: Shortened links can lead straight into the malicious code trap, so users should be careful not to click on URLs from strangers.
• Don't reveal too much about yourself: Users should not reveal too much about themselves in social networks and should not publish private information, such as their postal address or mobile phone number, on their profile.
• Not every social media user is a friend: users of social networks often receive friend requests from unknown people. Contact requests should only be confirmed if the user is really known and at best a friend.

Safer Internet Day (SID) is an annual global Safer Internet Day event organised by the European Union. It takes place every year on the second day of the second week of the second month. The initiative calls for actions and events around internet safety around the world.