{"id":116812,"date":"2021-02-06T12:26:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-06T20:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=116812"},"modified":"2025-04-01T18:53:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T01:53:26","slug":"lets-have-the-talk-about-the-internet-7-conversation-starters-for-staying-safer-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/privacy-identity-protection\/lets-have-the-talk-about-the-internet-7-conversation-starters-for-staying-safer-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Lets Have \u201cThe Talk\u201d About the Internet: 7 Conversation-Starters for Staying Safer Online"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>It\u2019s Time to Have \u201cThe Talk\u201d About the Internet: 7 Conversation-Starters for Staying Much Safer Online<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>With Safer Internet Day upon us, it\u2019s time to have \u201cThe Talk.\u201d The internet talk, that is.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s the internet talk? It\u2019s a candid conversation about how safe we\u2019re <em>really<\/em> being when we go online, as opposed to how safe we <em>think <\/em>we\u2019re being. Indeed, there can be a sizable gap between the two, and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/52367395\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2021 Consumer Security Mindset Report<\/a> shows us just how significant it is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2 out of 3 people in the U.S. (66%) say they\u2019re concerned about today\u2019s cyber risks\u2014a striking statistic despite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/273550\/data-breaches-recorded-in-the-united-states-by-number-of-breaches-and-records-exposed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">nearly 6,500 data breaches and 1.1 billion records exposed just between 2010 and 2019 in the U.S. alone<\/a><\/li>\n<li>70% of respondents said they purchased at least one connected device in 2020, while 1 in 3 bought three connected devices. However,<\/li>\n<li>Only 50% purchased security software, and 1 in 4 of those who have said that they check to see if their security software is up to date.<\/li>\n<li>Over half of U.S. respondents (51%) said that they never considered how much the data they store online is worth. However, nearly 9 in 10 consumers say they would be proactive about protecting that data if it could be traded as a currency, which indeed it is by hackers who sell it on the black market.<\/li>\n<li>Nearly 1 in 3 (29%) respondents admitted that they are not confident in their ability to prevent a cyber-attack.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I don\u2019t know about you, but I was struck by the fact that only 50% of people are purchasing security software when they buy a new device. If that\u2019s so, then it\u2019s indeed time for the talk.<\/p>\n<p>Whether we have the talk with our kids, our parents, or even have it with ourselves, this is a chance to make sure we\u2019re protecting the things that matter when we go online\u2014our families, our privacy, our finances, our data, and, of course, our stuff too\u2014like our computers, tablets, smartphones, and other connected things too.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Internet security: What\u2019s there to talk about?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Plenty. However, let\u2019s look at Safer Internet Day as a way to take some important first steps by asking a handful of questions that can lead to a much safer you online.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1) Are you using holistic security solutions?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Given that security software statistic mentioned above, let\u2019s start at square one. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/antivirus\/mcafee-total-protection.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Holistic security solutions will provide you with strong antivirus protection and much more on top of that<\/a>. It can steer you clear of malicious downloads and links, intercept phishing emails before they hit your inbox, and protect your privacy as well\u2014just to name a few. Additionally, it can protect your smartphones and tablets too, whether you have an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/antivirus\/mobile.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Android<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/antivirus\/mobile.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">iOS devices<\/a>. Don\u2019t forget to cover those things too, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/277125\/share-of-website-traffic-coming-from-mobile-devices\/#:~:text=Mobile%20accounts%20for%20approximately%20half,since%20the%20beginning%20of%202017.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chances are you do about half of your browsing on them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2) Are your passwords strong and unique?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re using simple passwords or repeating the use of the same password with little or no variation, it\u2019s time to make a change. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/consumer\/strong-password-ideas-to-keep-your-information-safe\/?hilite=%27password%27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Strong, unique passwords protect you<\/a> in this age of data breaches and hacks, where passwords are stolen and then sold on the black market. If creating strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts sounds like a lot of work, consider using a password manager to create and securely store passwords for you.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3) Are you protected by a firewall and a VPN?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A firewall acts as a digital barrier that blocks unauthorized access to your computers and devices, which is a must these days (and has been for some time now). It\u2019s often included with comprehensive security software (one more reason why having comprehensive security software is far superior to having \u201cjust\u201d antivirus).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/vpn\/mcafee-safe-connect.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A virtual private network (VPN) is software that creates a secure connection over the internet<\/a>, so you can safely connect from anywhere. You may want to use it at home when you\u2019re looking for extra protection while banking or handling finances. And you\u2019ll most certainly want to use it when logged into public Wi-Fi at places like airports, hotels, and cafes because so-called \u201cfree Wi-Fi\u201d is often unsecured, making it easier for hackers to access your device or the information you\u2019re sending and receiving.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>4) Are you oversharing on social media?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It may come as surprising, but hackers can piece together a great deal of information about you from social media and use it as the means for all manner of attacks. That includes identity theft, social engineering attacks where they impersonate you or someone you know, and even password theft. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/consumer\/family-safety\/50plus-tech-savvy-but-still-at-risk\/?hilite=%27oversh%27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Avoid oversharing on social media<\/a> by keeping details like addresses, school names, and other personally identifying information to yourself. Also, set you profiles to private so that only friends and family can see them.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>5) Can you tell a secure website from one that isn\u2019t?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When you\u2019re shopping, banking, or passing along any sort of sensitive information, make sure the site address starts with \u201chttps\u201d instead of \u201chttp.\u201d The \u201cs\u201d stands for secure, and many browsers will represent that with a little padlock icon to indicate use of https, which uses encryption to scramble and help secure data from prying eyes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/safe-browser\/mcafee-webadvisor.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Another form of protection from malicious sites is McAfee Web Advisor<\/a>, which can help you steer you clear of adware, spyware, viruses, phishing scams, and sketchy downloads.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>6) Are you updating your apps and software?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Updates do more than keep your apps and software current with the latest features, they often include security improvements as well. When and where possible, set your devices and software to update automatically. And when prompted to update, say yes. The few moments you spend here can prevent major headaches down the road should your app or software open an avenue to an attack.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>7) When\u2019s the last time you backed up your data?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Now that\u2019s the $50,000 question. And I say that only half-jokingly. Where would you be without your photos, files, tax records, finances, projects, and so on? The answer is probably \u201ca world of hurt.\u201d Losing it could set you back personally and financially. Back up your data. I suggest doing so with a combination of a reputable cloud storage service and a local physical device like an external hard drive that you store in a safe location.<\/p>\n<p>Another option for particularly sensitive data and files is use encrypted storage. For example, our File Lock feature allows you to create password-protected encrypted drives on your PC that only appear when you\u2019ve unlocked them, perfect for storing sensitive files like tax returns and financial documents.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Having \u201cThe Talk\u201d is your first step to a much safer life online<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes asking the right question can set things in motion, and I hope that\u2019s what this little talk does by helping you identify and patch up any gaps you find in your security. Go ahead and set aside some time to have \u201cThe Talk.\u201d You and anyone you have it with will be safer for it.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Stay Updated\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>To stay updated on all things <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/index.html\">McAfee<\/a> and for more resources on staying secure from home, follow <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/McAfee_Home\">@McAfee_Home <\/a>on Twitter, listen to our podcast <a href=\"https:\/\/geo.itunes.apple.com\/podcast\/us\/id1257232208?mt=2&amp;at=1010lbVy&amp;ct=mcafeehackable_GaryBlog_EndBlurb\"><em>Hackable?<\/em><\/a>, and \u2018Like\u2019 us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/McAfee\">Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s Time to Have \u201cThe Talk\u201d About the Internet: 7 Conversation-Starters for Staying Much Safer Online With Safer Internet Day&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":674,"featured_media":128962,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10670,10661,13],"tags":[4452,3952,7030],"coauthors":[3973],"class_list":["post-116812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-tricks","category-internet-security","category-privacy-identity-protection","tag-cybersecurity","tag-internet-security","tag-safer-internet-day"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Lets Have \u201cThe Talk\u201d About the Internet: 7 Conversation-Starters for Staying Safer Online | McAfee Blog 7 Conversation-Starters for Staying Much Safer Online | McAfee Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s Time to Have \u201cThe Talk\u201d About the Internet: 7 Conversation-Starters for Staying Much Safer Online With Safer Internet Day upon us, it\u2019s time to have With Safer Internet Day upon us, it\u2019s time to have \u201cThe Talk.\u201d The internet talk, that is. 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