Why You Shouldn’t Take Online Safety for Granted

It is easy to get carried away with the glitz and glamour of the internet, but in truth, the online world can be a dark and dangerous place. There is a lot at stake when we connect to our favorite social media networks, shop at online retail shops, and stream our favorite shows on Netflix.

Apparently, people that are paranoid of being watched online are not completely misled. It’s a threat that applies to everyone with access to the internet. If you are the type that has always taken security-conscious habits online for granted, then this article is for you.

What Are the Possible Threats?

There are many attackers who are very much interested in making you pay for your inherent complacency on the interwebs. A quick look at the infographic below will open your eyes to the situation at hand. We are all constantly at risk of losing our identities or our data. The people who are more prone to this are people who take online safety for granted.

Some of the entities that target are data or may contribute to our vulnerability include:

Service Providers

The current structure of the internet dictates that we give up our private information whenever we access services or open new accounts. Therefore, for you to enjoy your favorite shows or networks with your family and friends you must submit your information. Unfortunately, these service providers log this data and use it in a variety of ways.

It is clear from the infographic below that many of them utilize your data for advertisement and research related projects, which means that they either give third parties access to your information or they sell it outright.

The Government

Every government has a way of spying on the activities of its citizens. In many cases, they cloak these activities as an act of national security and mandate that service providers make their data logs available for investigation. Also, it is common for them to deploy data surveillance systems on the internet to help them gather users’ data independently.

Hackers

Forget about the way Hollywood portrays hackers as if they are only interested in stealing data from influential and rich individuals or corporations. These people are all about the money and the power that comes with owning sensitive information. As such, no one is safe and we are all potential victims. Carelessly clicking links and downloading free content on the internet are some of the major ways you can fall victim to hacks or data breaches.

Competitors

If you own a brand or business, then you should take online security seriously. Chances are that your competitors are surveilling your every move. They can steal your ideas, tarnish your brand or get an undue advantage over you. Owning a business isn’t child’s play, and you should leave no stone unturned when it comes to the safety of your business.

Conclusion

Don’t let yourself be fooled that you are excluded from the security issues currently plaguing internet users. The safety of your data rests on the security measures you adopt when you are online. You can check out the infographic below for more information on the dangers of surfing the internet.