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Russia - An expert told how to protect yourself when visiting websites and social networks

Russia (bbabo.net), - Every year in many countries of the world on the second day of the second week of the second month of the year, the International Safe Internet Day is celebrated. This year it falls on February 8th. This is a great opportunity for readers to remember the basic rules of behavior on the Web. Veronika Vorobyeva, a teacher at the CyberSchool of the Patriot.Sport Moscow Center, an expert in the field of Internet education, gave schoolchildren and their parents some advice on how to protect themselves on the Internet.

1. Don't click on all the links. Just because you can click on a link in an email doesn't mean you should. Make sure all messages you receive are from trusted senders.

2. Use two-factor authentication. Of course, it is very important to have a strong password. However, a good password is often hard to remember. Therefore, users often write them down, which is not worth doing, or lose them. It is much more correct to use two-factor authentication - to confirm the operation using another operation. Firstly, it will protect your accounts: even if an attacker picks up a password, he will not be able to access the phone or computer to confirm the entry. Secondly, it will be much easier for you to restore access to your account or service if you forget your password.

3. Keep track of your digital footprint. Ensure that your accounts, including social networks, are up-to-date with strong passwords, and be sure to delete unused accounts. Remember, social media is a great source of information about you. A forgotten page or mailbox can become a tool for spammers, scammers, hackers.

4. Use trusted networks. Do not connect to unsecured, unknown Wi-Fi networks. It's not worth the hassle, especially if you're working online with important information.

5. Protect your mobile device. Use strong passwords and biometric features, make sure you turn off Bluetooth and do not automatically connect to public Wi-Fi. When downloading applications, be sure to check the rights they request: it is unlikely that the Flashlight application needs the right to read and send SMS, and even more so access to payment systems.

6. Remember that you are not protected. The most harmful thought you can think of is "this won't happen to me." Cybercriminals don't care who they attack. Alas, not all errors can be corrected using the Ctrl + Z combination.

Fakes and cyberbullying: how to choose safe content

And here are some tips on how not to become a victim of low-quality content, save your time and nerves.

1. Look for the original sources. Otherwise, it could be "fake news" - lies that are spread to create panic or simply increase the number of ad views on the page. If you need articles about diseases and medicines, make sure that their authors are scientists or doctors, otherwise you can harm your health. In financial matters, it is better to trust the resources of banks and exchanges, and not "consultants" from social networks - this will help save your wallet. Unfortunately, often articles on the Internet are written not by experts, but by copywriters who compile information from various sources, distorting it. Fact-checking helps not to be deceived and avoid problems.

2. Pay attention to the style. If the author of the text or video presents information calmly, does not try to embellish it, turns to trusted sources, confirms his words with facts - most likely, he can be trusted. If the style of presenting information is too emotional, and the words are confirmed only by the personal opinion of the author, it is better to ignore such content.

3. Always doubt. Popular search engines return millions of results for any query. You should not trust the first page that comes across, even if it is very convincingly designed. Check information from several sources - so you make sure that you are not deceived. This rule works whether you're looking for a pie recipe or Fyodor Dostoyevsky's biography.

4. "Don't feed the trolls": ignore provocateurs and they won't get what they want. Don't get into arguments with strangers. Social networks, blogs and forums often become platforms for trolling and cyberbullying - harassment and provocations on the Internet. To avoid this, do not get into heated discussions in the comments.

5. Protect your rights. The Internet is a zone of free exchange of information, but freedom does not mean irresponsibility. If you are faced with outright lies, inciting conflicts on any grounds, insults to human dignity - report it.

Russia - An expert told how to protect yourself when visiting websites and social networks