Sharing the things you love has never been easier especially when Facebook became the “largest online photo host” in 2011. The social media giant garnered 100 billion photos and over 350 million users around the world by October 2011. In present time, it has about 1.69 billion users and about 73 million of these are from the Philippines. 

Soon enough, people swarmed in social media platforms like Instagram to share their everyday activities, newly-bought items, and whatnot. But where do we really draw the line between us and the online world? 

Don’t let your guard down, these tips will make the internet a little less dangerous for you.

DO NOT OVER SHARE

Are you going out with your friends this weekend? Will you be alone at home? Maybe there are things you’d rather keep in private. Take note that the information you post online can easily be accessed by stalkers and thieves. Verify the websites and apps you input personal information with as these could very well land on the hands of online perpetrators.

BEWARE OF THIRD-PARTY APPS

Whether you’re an avid Facebook user or not, you have probably seen quizzes like “What kind of coffee are you?” or “What type of color should you wear based on your zodiac sign?” These applications often lead to a pop-up asking you to give access to your profile or worse, input information that are sensitive.

While these may seem harmless, these applications still pose a threat and probably gather private information from you to be sold to nefarious actors. 

BE CAREFUL WITH WHO YOU MEET ONLINE

Photos and information posted online could easily be manipulated. When someone who likes to befriend you online seems suspicious, it is never wrong to do a tini-tiny background check first. Or as cyber experts say, on deals you see online and on people you connect with, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t.”

PROTECT YOUR PASSWORD 

Every account made online is prone to hacking and a strong password is needed to avoid this. Oftentimes, people choose passwords that they could relate themselves to or ones they could remember easily such as their birthdays or nicknames, and these are some of the easiest to crack when cybercriminals come to play.

If you want a strong password, choose unique words that you can mix with special characters or numbers.

MIND WHAT YOU DOWNLOAD 

Some programs or applications online contain malware that may be used to steal private information. This malware can often be disguised as a game, music, or illegal films. Be mindful of what you download and stay away from suspicious websites. The amount you think you saved from bootleg copies of the latest films might be miniscule compared to the hassle and troubles brought by a hacked account or a malware-ridden device and network.