Home : internet : 8 Mistakes To Avoid While Browsing The Internet

8 mistakes to avoid while browsing the internet

8 mistakes to avoid while browsing the internet

The internet is indispensable to daily routines, so much so that a few minutes spent offline could disrupt personal and work tasks. After all, the web is home to information that was previously limited to libraries. And yet, this vast space is not always safe, making sensitive information vulnerable to unauthorized access if users do not take proper precautions. So, here are a few mistakes to avoid when using the internet:

1. Opening multiple tabs
The processing power of computers lets users multitask only to a certain extent. So, irrespective of what type of setup one has at home, they must avoid opening multiple tabs on their browsers unless absolutely necessary. Doing so could lead to a lot of data being processed in the background, which may slow down the computer.

2. Using older versions of browsers
A common mistake to avoid when using the internet is not updating the browsers. Older versions of browsers could be vulnerable to phishing and spyware attacks. So, it is essential to update to the latest version that may come with bug fixes and upgrades to prevent cyber attacks.

3. Not using a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is an overlooked tool when using the internet. While one may take precautions to avoid cyber threats, they might still be vulnerable to data theft when connecting to an unsecured public network. A VPN masks the computer’s IP address on open networks, helping stop hackers from gaining access to the device.

4. Using one password for all accounts
Using the same password for social media, email, and banking accounts is a common move, which can be one of the biggest mistakes. This is because all it would take is for the hacker to get hold of one password to access all of these accounts. So, one must never repeat passwords and use iterations such as those with uppercase, lowercase, and special characters to create strong passwords for each account.

5. Accepting all cookies
Cookies are tasked with tracking a user’s browsing activity. While this could help open web pages faster and get quick recommendations, accepting all cookies might not be the best idea. Sometimes, cookies on spurious websites are created by hackers to give them access to private browsing history. So, one must always check the website and the requested permissions before accepting cookies.

6. Clicking on unverified links
One may come across random links in their mail or direct messages on social media. Certain links could expose devices to spyware and ransomware attacks. So, instead of clicking on these links, one should report these messages to the relevant authorities and delete them soon after to prevent data theft.

7. Neglecting two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication may seem time-consuming; however, setting it up is one of the best ways to secure social media, banking, and other online accounts. The two-factor authentication protocol sends a prompt to an associated primary device each time an account requests access. If the user has not attempted to sign in, they can easily block access and prevent unauthorized usage.

8. Oversharing online
With vlogging and other forms of social media sharing being more common than they have ever been, it is important for one to take precautions not to share personal information like banking details, residential addresses, vehicle numbers, and so on. Avoiding this mistake could help protect oneself from identity theft.

Featured Articles

Diagnosis, stages, and prevention of heart diseases
health

Diagnosis, stages, and prevention of heart diseases

Heart disease is a serious health condition, and it is also one of the main causes of death in the country. Irrespective of what kind of heart-related issue one has, they can be diagnosed with the help of certain tests. Once these are carried out, and a proper diagnosis is arrived at, the heart specialist, also known as a cardiologist, treats the condition accordingly. Diagnosis of heart diseases Heart-related conditions can be diagnosed via chest X-ray and blood tests. However, these are not the only available options that doctors use to determine the cause of the problems. Here is a list of some common tests that are also an option. Electrocardiogram (ECG) Holter monitoring Echocardiogram Stress test Cardiac catheterization Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Different stages of heart failure Heart failure is a heart disease with different types and stages. There are mainly four stages known as A, B, C, and D. Stage A exposes one to the risk of heart failure. It can develop due to family history, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse, coronary artery disease, and metabolic syndrome, among others. Stage B is more serious, as one starts to develop pre-heart failure conditions. During this stage, systolic left ventricular dysfunction occurs, which can lead to heart failure in the future.
Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of heartburn
health

Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of heartburn

Heartburn and GERD are often used interchangeably. However, heartburn is a common symptom experienced by people who suffer from acid reflux, and if heartburn occurs more than just twice in a week, the condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the condition affects as many as 20 percent of the country’s total population. Stages of GERD GERD is a progressive condition, and the treatment offered depends on the stage of the condition. How severely the reflux is taking place into the esophagus determines the stage of the condition. So, the various stages of GERD are: Stage I At this stage, the symptoms of the condition are mild and occur about once or twice the month. The treatment at this stage involves more lifestyle changes combined with some over-the-counter medications. Stage II When a patient is at this stage, the symptoms become more frequent and the need to take an acid-suppressive medication arises. If the medication is not taken, the symptoms of the condition can become severe and can interfere with the daily routine of the patient. When left untreated, the symptoms are also linked with inflammation of the esophagus.
Male hair loss and its various aspects
health

Male hair loss and its various aspects

Hair grows on all parts of the human body, apart from some places like the palm of the hands and the soles of our feet. Hair is essentially made of keratin, which is a type of protein. Keratin is produced on the outer layer of the skin in hair follicles. The follicles produce new hair cells and old cells are subsequently pushed out of the surface. There are 100,000 to 150,000 strands of hair on a human head, and one loses about 100 hair in a day. Thus, hair loss can be normal. However, we should only be concerned if there is hair loss at an alarming rate. Stages of hair loss Hair loss , also known as alopecia, is divided into different types: the age at which it starts, the duration of hair loss, and the area of the body. Further there can be multiple diseases and disorders which can lead to hair loss as a side effect. There are noticeably and popularly seven different stages of hair loss. The duration of different stages can depend on the individual. The Norwood Scale defines seven stages of hair loss in men: Stage 1 Significant loss or a receding hairline is not noticed in this stage.
Hearing loss – All you need to know
health

Hearing loss – All you need to know

Hearing loss gradually occurs as the body ages, making it common among seniors, but it can affect people of all ages due to a birth defect or damage to the ear due to an injury. Almost one-third of America’s population between the ages of 65 and 75 years suffer from some level of hearing loss. Depending on the part of the ear that’s affected, hearing loss can be divided into three types: Conductive : Hearing loss involving the outer or the middle part of the ear Sensorineural : This type of hearing loss involves the inner part of the ear Mixed : This is a combination of the other two types of hearing loss Stages Various levels of hearing loss have been identified by audiologists: Mild hearing loss People with mild hearing loss can hear sounds ranging between 25 and 40 decibels, so sounds like the ticking of a clock or a faucet dripping will be inaudible. Keeping up with a conversation that they have with one person might not be much of a challenge for people with mild hearing loss. Moderate hearing loss At this stage, people with hearing loss might not be able to hear sounds below 41 to 55 decibels.
Autoimmune diseases – All you need to know

Autoimmune diseases – All you need to know

The immune system of our body is constantly fighting against viruses and bacteria. Its job is to protect us from foreign cells that try to harm us. However, there are certain illnesses that can result in your immune system attacking your own healthy cells. These illnesses are known as autoimmune diseases. They cause the immune system to treat certain body parts as foreign elements and release auto-antibodies to attack the cells. Causes of autoimmune diseases Exactly what causes the autoimmune diseases is still unknown, but researchers around the world have come up with a few possibilities. While genetics can be at fault, your diet, certain infections, and exposure to specific chemicals may also result in autoimmune diseases. Types of autoimmune diseases There are many different types of autoimmune diseases that affect your immune system and cause it to attack the healthy cells in your body. Below is a list of the most common types. Type 1 diabetes This causes the immune system to attack the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Rheumatoid arthritis This illness forces the immune system to attack the joints in the body and results in stiffness, soreness, and redness. Multiple sclerosis The nerve cells in the human body are protected by a coating called the myelin sheath.
Read More

Top Articles

Important things to know about kidney and liver-related diseases
health

Important things to know about kidney and liver-related diseases

The kidney and liver are two important organs in your body. You must keep them healthy to maintain a happy and safe life. However, you should also be aware of some important facts about the liver and kidney-related diseases so that you can visit your doctor before any health-related issue becomes more serious. Kidney and liver diseases and stages Chronic kidney disease is a medical condition that affects your kidneys. However, it progresses in five different stages and usually does not affect both the kidneys at once. Before learning about the stages of this illness, you need to first understand what Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is. The age, gender, race, and serum creatinine are taken into account to calculate a person’s GFR, which determines the stage of chronic kidney disease. The serum creatinine is a type of waste product, which comes from the body’s muscle activity. As the condition of your kidney worsens, it filters less and less creatinine. The GFR calculation uses this to determine the kidney condition. Stage 1 : GFR > 90 ml/min Stage 2 : GFR = 60-89 ml/min Stage 3A : GFR = 45-59 ml/min Stage 3B : GFR = 30-44 ml/min Stage 4 :
Oral health issues and their diagnosis and prevention
health

Oral health issues and their diagnosis and prevention

Oral health indicates overall health, so regular oral hygiene is important to prevent cavities, bad breath, gum diseases, and other mouth and teeth issues. Also, oral health is important at every stage of life, and it should not be taken lightly as oral diseases can also spread to the rest of the body. Let’s take a look at the basics of oral health issues and how to prevent them. Common oral health problems Oral health problems can affect people at different stages of lives: Infants A routine to help children maintain oral hygiene. When a child starts getting their first teeth, parents should wipe their gums with a clean, moist washcloth. Gradually, they can change this washcloth to a toothbrush for kids. Also, a child must be taken for their first dental visit within 6 months of the first tooth erupting, which should be not later than a kid’s first birthday. Additionally, parents should always stop children from sucking their thumbs as it can affect their tooth alignment. Also, never let them sleep with a bottle in their mouth as this can cause tooth decay. Children and teenagers Many who have crooked teeth start showing signs between the ages of 6 and 12.
Essential factors of mental health issues
health

Essential factors of mental health issues

There are a lot of misconceptions that people have about mental health. With the little information on mental health, people are often narrow-minded when it comes to treating mental illnesses and often this causes a big problem for those who have mental health problems. To help you understand better, we are here to provide you with the details of mental health problems, which include its stages, diagnosis, and treatment. Stages of mental health issues The following stages are generally experienced by patients: Stage 1: Preconception When the patient is in this stage, they may mostly be in denial. It is possible that they point out that something seems off but they are fully capable of going about with their usual routine. Stage 2: Contemplation At this stage, it is clear that the patient needs medical help. The symptoms have started to set in, and it has now started to affect the day-to-day routine of the patient. Stage 2: Crisis If stages 1 and 2 are dealt with in the right way, this stage can be avoided. If not, the patient may face a nervous breakdown. Stage 4: Getting Help This stage should ideally come before the crisis for the problem to be averted.
Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of multiple sclerosis
health

Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the spinal cord and the brain. Some of the common symptoms of multiple sclerosis are weakening and numbing in the body, blurring of vision, headaches, loss of hearing, speech issues, seizures, and bladder issues. The main treatment of multiple sclerosis focuses on managing symptoms of the disease. Let us take a look at the stages that the person goes through in case of multiple sclerosis. Stages of multiple sclerosis There are four stages of multiple sclerosis. These include: Clinically isolated syndrome A clinically isolated syndrome is usually the first attack of multiple sclerosis experienced by patients. It is marked by an inflamed myelin sheath. At this stage, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test is used to make a proper diagnosis. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is the most common stage. Most patients experience symptoms of this stage before the age of 30. Patients may experience episodes of symptoms. Relapse in this stage can lead to brain lesions. If patients go into remission, this phase can continue for a few weeks or even several years. Primary progressive multiple sclerosis Primary progressive multiple sclerosis usually begins in patients after they cross the age of 40.
Important things that you must know about pain management
health

Important things that you must know about pain management

The techniques of pain management are devised based on the cause of pain. Pain management also depends on the severity and duration of pain. It focuses on the identification of the source of pain and selecting the best course of treatment. Let us take a closer look at some of the aspects of pain management. Types of pain The most common types of pain are: Neuropathic pain It’s a type of pain, which impacts the nervous system. In this form of pain, there is damage to the nervous system. A typical example is a diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathic pain can also include fibromyalgia, sympathetically maintained pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Nociceptive pain It is a pain that results from a bone that is broken in the body. This pain is determined by the transfer of signals from the peripheral nerves to the brain through the spinal cord. Somatic pain This pain is a type that affects the thighs and back of the patient. Every time a patient goes to the doctor with back pain, their doctor checks their medical history and conducts a physical exercise test and imaging test. After an accurate diagnosis, the pain can be adequately treated. Cancer pain Cancer or the treatment of cancer can cause this type of pain.
Understanding the essentials about menopause
health

Understanding the essentials about menopause

Menopause is a stage at which the woman stops going through menstrual cycles. It is only considered menopause if you have not had your period for at least 12 months. In the US, the average age for it to occur is 51, but it can start as early as your 40s. It is a biological process that occurs naturally but, due to certain symptoms it causes, it can lead to disruptions in your daily schedule and life. Stages of menopause Menopause has three different stages, as given below. Perimenopause Before the actual menopause starts, the women’s body goes into the process of shifting from natural menstruation and ovulation cycle to permanent infertility. This stage is known as perimenopause. It generally starts in your 40s, but some women may experience it in their 30s too. The symptoms include irregular periods, sleep problems, and hot flashes. Menopause If you have not had your period in one year, then the perimenopause is over, and the actual menopause stage begins. You cannot get pregnant once you enter this stage. Postmenopause The years that follow are the postmenopause stage. The physical and emotional symptoms of menopause start to subside in most cases. You start to regain your energy levels and feel more emotionally stable.