[gkabbara]

“Browse Smart: 6 Simple Browser Safety Tips for Seniors” ​

Want to make your internet browsing safer and worry-free? Here are easy steps you can follow to protect your online actions and keep your information secure!​

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1. Don’t Save Passwords in Your Browser
Browsers may offer to remember your passwords, but this can put your accounts at risk if your computer is hacked or lost. Instead, use a dedicated password manager app or write passwords in a safe place at home.

2. Keep Your Browser Updated
Updates fix security holes that hackers can use to get into your computer. Set your browser to update automatically, or check for updates regularly.

3. Block Pop-Ups and Ads
Pop-ups and ads can hide dangerous links or malware. Turn on your browser’s pop-up blocker and consider using an ad blocker like AdBlock Plus or uBlock Origin.(I also recommend Malwarebytes as an antivirus & malware protection.)

4. Only Enter Information on Secure Sites (Look for HTTPS)
Before typing personal details, make sure the website address starts with “https://” and shows a padlock icon. This means your information is encrypted and safer from prying eyes.

5. Clear Your Browser Data Regularly
Delete your browsing history, cookies, and cache every so often. This helps keep your information private and can stop websites from tracking you.

6. Be Careful with Extensions and Add-Ons
Only install browser extensions from trusted sources. Some add-ons can track your activity or even steal your information. Review and remove any you don’t use.

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Example:
If your browser asks, “Would you like to save this password?” always click “Never” or “No thanks.” Instead, use a password manager app to keep track of your passwords safely. (Do not Use your Gmail Notes to store your PASSWORDS !)

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Stay safe, stay smart, and enjoy your time online!

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[BigFeet42]

Thank you Member @gkabarra for giving us ways to keep our browsing of the Internet safe. In this day and age we need to know how to keep our computers safe from hackers. Well done.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Saving your password to a "Password Manager" is like telling all and sundry your password.

Where is your password stored? On a platform easily hacked by scammers! Keep it securely stored....in your grey matter.

And why do people keep saying "have a different password" for different applications? Thirty applications with thirty different passwords? Get ready to open the "Forgot Password?" tab repeatedly.

I have had one password for numerous applications, including financial institutions, government agencies and websites such as SDC without any problem with scammers and hackers.

Just choose a password with a variety of upper and lower case letters, numbers and accepted symbols.

My password has over 150000 billion combinations for hackers to sift through before they get the right combination. For what purpose? To get somewhere in the vicinity of $1000!

 

[gkabbara]

Saving your password to a "Password Manager" is like telling all and sundry your password.

Where is your password stored? On a platform easily hacked by scammers! Keep it securely stored....in your grey matter.

And why do people keep saying "have a different password" for different applications? Thirty applications with thirty different passwords? Get ready to open the "Forgot Password?" tab repeatedly.

I have had one password for numerous applications, including financial institutions, government agencies and websites such as SDC without any problem with scammers and hackers.

Just choose a password with a variety of upper and lower case letters, numbers and accepted symbols.

My password has over 150000 billion combinations for hackers to sift through before they get the right combination. For what purpose? To get somewhere in the vicinity of $1000!

I appreciate your perspective, but respectfully, using the same password across multiple sites even a strong one creates a single point of failure. If one site is hacked, attackers could access all your accounts.

Password managers are designed to prevent that. They don’t store your passwords "out in the open" they encrypt your data locally, meaning the information is locked and can only be unlocked with your master password (which even the password manager company can’t see).

They help you create and safely store unique passwords for every account so if one gets hacked, the others stay safe.

You can also check whether any of your passwords have been exposed in a data breach by visiting haveibeenpwned.com. It’s a great tool and often an eye-opener.

No system is perfect, but using a trusted password manager is far safer than reusing the same password everywhere. Security today is about reducing risk not relying on luck.

The low-tech alternative? Write your passwords in a physical notebook using lemon juice as invisible ink. That way, if someone breaks in, all they’ll see is a blank page.

Forgot your password? No problem just heat the paper gently and voila your secrets reappear like magic.