{"id":89557,"date":"2018-06-12T06:00:27","date_gmt":"2018-06-12T13:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=89557"},"modified":"2025-08-01T00:25:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T07:25:08","slug":"5-safety-tips-while-searching-the-web","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/mobile-security\/5-safety-tips-while-searching-the-web\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips to Stay Safe While Searching the Web"},"content":{"rendered":"

The internet is infinitely expansive, but that\u2019s often easy to forget as we now have immediate access to it in the palm of our hands. We feel safe scouring the digital world from the comfort of our homes, offices, or local coffee shops, but there is real danger lurking behind those virtual walls. It\u2019s no longer science fiction to say that cybercriminals use the internet to infiltrate the Internet of Things (IoT) and our mobile devices. Today\u2019s reality includes hacks, phishing scams, malicious sites, and malware, just to name a few. This world of hyper-connectivity has left us exposed to far greater threats than we could have ever imagined.<\/p>\n

According to a recent Pew Research Center survey<\/a>, 77% of American adults own a smartphone, up from 35% just six years ago. Whether we\u2019re traveling, working, or just having fun, our mobile devices \u2014 tablet, smartphone, or laptop \u2014 are within reach at all times. Our gadgets make it easier to connect with the world, but they also store tons of sensitive information about our lives. Yes, we may use our devices to talk and text, but we also use applications on those devices to access banking information, share our location, and check emails. This wealth of personal information on an easily hackable device should galvanize us to ensure that data stays out of the hands of cybercriminals. From ransomware to phishing scams<\/a>, the numerous threats that can infect our IoT and mobile devices through the internet are ever-evolving menaces.<\/p>\n

With the rise of IoT, the probability of a debilitating attack increases. Just like everything else online, IoT devices are one part of a massively distributed network<\/a>. The billions of extra entry points that IoT devices create make them a greater target for cybercriminals. In 2016, this fact was proven and executed by the Mirai botnet<\/a>, a malware strain that remotely enslaved IoT objects for use in large-scale attacks designed to knock websites and entire networks offline. The authors of Mirai discovered previously unknown vulnerabilities in IoT devices that could be used to strengthen their botnet, which at its height infected 300,000 devices. While this is an extreme example, it is very much a reality that could happen again \u2014 only this time worse. These ever-present threats make it crucial to maintain proper cyber hygiene while using the internet.<\/p>\n

With new threats appearing every day, the time to be proactive about your online safety is now. Don\u2019t find yourself on the wrong side of the most recent internet threat;<\/p>\n

Follow these tips to stay protected:<\/h2>\n