Safer Internet Day 2023

On this Safer Internet Day, let’s make the Internet better by changing the way we act, connect, and transact online!
PureVPN empowers its users to give 12 monthly accounts to their loved ones for every sign-up this Safer Internet Day.

• History
• SID 2023
• 2023 Recap
• Partnership
• SID Awareness
• Safety Tips
• Issues
• Child Protection
• Precautions

History of Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day, commonly referred to as SID, is a global initiative – coordinated through the joint Insafe/INHOPE network. The initiative aims to educate children about online safety and spark a broader conversation about responsible technology use. Read on to learn more about the importance of this day and what you can do to make every day safer.

In the UK, Safer Internet Day is coordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre every year, which is a collaboration between three leading charities: the Internet Watch Foundation, South West Grid for Learning, and Childnet International.

Hundreds of countries outside Europe also celebrate the day. The concept of Safer Internet Day Committees was introduced in 2009, to make the event global. Every year since then, Safer Internet Day has enabled parents to help their children stay safe from the many dangers that circulate the Internet.

SAFER INTERNET DAY

The day falls on Tuesday, February 11, 2023. This year’s theme is “Together for a better internet”. Indeed, we all need to play our part to ensure that we continue to enjoy the countless benefits we have, thanks to the Internet but positively, responsibly, and safely.

The internet is arguably the most disruptive technology ever. It removed physical distances and allowed us to talk and connect with people thousands of miles away, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for today’s youth.

However, while it has made our lives easier in countless ways, constant connectivity also leaves us vulnerable and exposed to various threats that lurk online. From phishing and ransomware to cyberstalking and identity theft, the threat landscape is not only growing but also increasing in severity over time.

Safer Internet Day presents a necessary opportunity to spread awareness about the dangers associated with the digital world, and empower youth and adults to make the most of the internet while staying safe.

Safer Internet Day 2023 Highlights

How PureVPN Celebrated SID 2023

We asked everyone to do their bit to support Safer Internet Day and what it stands for by joining our SID campaign. We were humbled by a positive response from hundreds of participants.

PureVPN partnered with Safer Internet Day to raise awareness about the dangers lurking online and why everyone on the web, regardless of their age, should secure their digital footsteps.

Those who retweeted PureVPN’s official SID posts were given free VPN accounts to share with their friends and family. A safer internet means a safer you!

What is a Safer Internet?

A safer internet is where anyone, no matter who they are and where they come from, has online security to express themselves freely. An internet without boundaries for all and online privacy to respect the rights of people who prefer to stay anonymous online.

PureVPN Partnerships with Safer Internet Centre

Like last year, PureVPN – an official SID supporter – joined hands with the UK Safer Internet Centre to spread the message of Safer Internet Day.

We create and share useful resources to combat the most common online threats.

Also, we will again take a giveaway/gift approach to encourage individuals to join the conversation and strengthen dialogue around Internet safety.

Why is Internet Safety Crucial?

While the Internet has empowered and accelerated advancements in almost everything imaginable, it has also exposed us to various online threats such as identity theft, social engineering, cyberbullying, ransomware, child exploitation, and fraud, among others.

With so much of our data easily available online, internet safety is not an option. It is a must. The first step towards online safety is becoming ‘aware’ of the different types of threats and vulnerabilities that circulate the internet and how you can help your children avoid falling victim to them.

Internet Safety Tips to Stay Secure Online

At PureVPN, we help protect you when it comes to securing our data. After all, we live and breathe security and privacy! However, we realize that this may not be the case for everyone.
So, on this Safer Internet Day, instead of reminding you to protect your internet connection with a VPN (which you really should), we will give you internet safety tips to follow and protect yourself online!

1. Always download software and applications from authorized providers to avoid the possibility of installing rogue software.
2. Keep your personal information away from the Internet and to yourself only, as it can be valuable to those who want to exploit it.
3. Set strong passwords to keep your online accounts secure – use a mix of numbers, symbols, uppercase letters, and lowercase letters.
4. Lock your phone using a password, PIN, or unlock pattern to prevent anyone from accessing your private data.
5. Your social media accounts should be private to the point that only your friends and family can see anything about you. Set privacy controls by looking for “Options” or “Settings.”
6. Never trust anyone on the Internet, no matter what they pose as your friend. It is not safe!
7. Use Two-Factor Authentication where possible to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts!
8. Be prompt when it comes to updating your Operating System and software to prevent cybercriminals from exploiting loopholes to gain access to your computer or mobile phone.
9. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks such as those in cafés or restaurants as they are inherently insecure.
10. Use a password management program to save your passwords and prevent them from reaching hackers.

What Internet Safety Issues Are We Facing Today?

The following are some of the most common internet safety issues we face today:

Information Security Risks

• • Malware: Malicious software designed to collect personal information without the user’s permission, such as viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans, ransomware, etc.
  • Phishing: A type of scam where the perpetrator attempts to obtain a victim’s sensitive data by pretending to be a legitimate company or person. This is often done through fake text messages, emails, or websites.
  • Online Scams: Methods created to trick individuals out of their money or personal details such as bank account information through false promises, tricks, etc.

Personal Safety Risks

• Cyberbullying: The use of electronic means such as email, instant messaging, and social media to harass or threaten an individual or group.
• Harmful/False Content: Websites containing explicit, harmful, or false content that may not be to the user’s liking.
• Cyberstalking: A crime where the attacker continuously threatens or harasses a victim using electronic means such as instant messaging, email, or messages posted on discussion groups or websites.
• Online Predation: The act of exploiting vulnerable youth or children for abusive or sexual purposes.
• Sextortion: A type of exploitation where sexual images or information are used to extort money or sexual favors from the victim.
• Identity Theft: A crime where an impostor obtains key bits of personal information such as your bank account details or Social Security numbers to impersonate you and commit fraud.
• Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: A method used by cybercriminals to essentially “listen” to your Wi-Fi traffic and steal data sent over the network.
• Spamming: The use of electronic messaging systems such as emails to send unwanted bulk messages (spam), which opens the door to phishing, malware, and threats to your privacy.
• Ransomware: A type of malware that locks your computer or files and demands a ransom payment to unlock it.

Internet Safety Tips to Protect Your Children Against:

• Cyberbullying
• Harmful Content
• Cyberstalking
• Online Predation

Internet Safety Tips to Help Your Children Against Cyberbullying

1. Be smart about what you write or post online. Don’t go overboard sharing anything that could embarrass or hurt you.
2. Don’t share your passwords or account information with anyone because it could compromise your control over your online activities.
3. If you use a public computer, always log out because your account information could be at risk if you forget to log out.
4. Don’t retaliate or respond to any user sending you threatening or hurtful messages. Block them immediately!
5. If you or someone you know is a victim of cyberbullying, don’t ignore it. Report it to a responsible adult immediately.

Internet Safety Tips to Shield Your Children from Harmful/False Content

1. Use a web filtering tool to block access to inappropriate websites and content on the Internet.
2. If you encounter any content you find harmful, report it to the site administrator immediately.
3. Don’t hesitate to report inappropriate content on social media such as obscene images, pornographic images, etc.
4. Turn on Safe Search to block explicit results on Google.
5. Use an ad-blocking tool to prevent harmful ads from covering your screen.

Internet Safety Tips to Help Your Children Against Cyberstalking

1. In your online profiles, use a picture that doesn’t identify your location so you can’t be traced.
2. If not mandatory, don’t fill in fields asking for personally identifiable information (PII) such as your birthday when registering or signing up for something online.
3. Be careful about what personal information you share in chat rooms, emails, or social media sites. It’s easy for stalkers to gather information from your pictures or posts.
4. When you break up with an intimate partner, reset all your passwords for your banking, social media, and email accounts to something they can’t guess.
5. If you are being cyberstalked, save all communications made for evidence and report it to law enforcement agencies.

Internet Safety Tips to Help Your Children Against Online Predation

1. Don’t talk to anyone, especially strangers, about personal or sexual matters. End the conversation immediately!
2. Don’t meet up with someone you met on the Internet, no matter how nice the person seems.
3. Avoid downloading any images sent by people you don’t know.
4. Parents should supervise the use of internet-connected devices.
5. If a person makes you feel uncomfortable online, tell a trusted adult or parent about it immediately.

Internet Safety Tips to Protect Yourself Against:

• Malware
• Phishing
• Scams
• Spamming
• Ransomware

Internet Safety Tips to Avoid Malware

1. Install antivirus/anti-malware software to block known malware as soon as they are detected.
2. Make sure you’re on a secure connection by looking for the padlock on the left side of the address bar in your browser. It should read “https.”
3. Be wary of social engineering tactics such as phishing, online scams, etc.
4. Use WPA2 encryption and change the default SSID (the name of your Wi-Fi network) to secure your network.
5. Set up your antivirus/anti-malware to run scans at regular intervals.

Internet Safety Tips to Avoid Phishing

1. Don’t open attachments, click on links, or download files in emails from untrusted or unknown senders.
2. Use Firewall software to stop attacks from phishers and other hackers trying to compromise your network or computer.
3. Be cautious of pop-ups which are usually phishing attempts.
4. Never email your financial details – this is not a safe way to send financial information such as credit card numbers or bank details.
5. Install anti-phishing software or browser extension because it will alert you if and when you stumble upon a phishing site.

Internet Safety Tips to Avoid Online Scams

1. Don’t make the mistake of paying upfront for things like mortgage help or debt help. It’s likely a scam, and they will take your money and disappear.
2. If someone calls and asks for personal or financial information, hang up and call a number you know to verify if the caller is genuine. Scammers can easily fake caller ID!
3. If you want to buy something online, always do it through legitimate and established channels such as Amazon or eBay.
4. Don’t let someone access your computer remotely unless they are a trusted source such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
5. Avoid unnecessary friends on social media because scammers may exploit the information you share.

Internet Safety Tips to Avoid Spamming

1. Make sure your email address is not displayed publicly in chat rooms, social media networks, public directories, etc. to avoid the possibility of spam being sent there.
2. Be careful about giving out your email address – only do so if necessary.
3. Avoid “unsubscribe” links in emails at all costs. If you click, it confirms that your email address is active, and you will receive more spam.
4. Don’t use your business or personal email address when signing up for services, buying goods online, etc. Use a disposable email.
5. Install a spam filtering tool to reduce the number of spam emails arriving.

Internet Safety Tips to Avoid Ransomware

1. Regularly back up your data – this is the most important thing you can do to defeat ransomware.
2. Don’t click on any attachments or links that seem suspicious.
3. Install updates for your operating system, antivirus/anti-malware, and other software as soon as they are available to avoid compromises.
4. Keep your firewall on at all times.
5. Set your security software to scan archived or compressed files if the option is available.

Summing It Up

Let’s take this Safer Internet Day as a clear reminder that the internet is full of bad actors eager to cook up ways to fool us.

The only way forward is to secure your digital existence and make the internet a safe place for children and adults.

Make the promise to take security steps to ensure the utmost secrecy of your online activities. Team PureVPN wishes everyone a Happy Safer Internet Day!