Ways to ensure safe web browsing
Even the simple act of browsing the web can expose your employees to countless cyberthreats. And with the rise of remote and hybrid work setups, employees are now connecting to the internet using different devices and different networks. This makes securing company data even more challenging. Therefore, as a business owner, you need to implement browser safety measures to keep your employees and company data protected. Install ad blocking software Even though online ads may seem harmless, they can contain scripts and widgets that send your information to third parties without your knowledge and consent. Ad blocking software will stop banner, rollover, and pop-up ads from appearing on websites. It can also help protect you from accidentally going to malware-laden sites. Many ad blockers can also disable cookies and scripts used by third parties on sites, block specific items, “clean up” Facebook, and hide YouTube comments. Prevent browser tracking In browser tracking, websites monitor your online activity and retain information about the sites you’ve visited. It’s done by placing cookies (i.e., small text files that record everything you do online) on your computer and other devices. Browser trackers not only slow down your computer but can also expose sensitive information to malicious actors. You can use browser extensions like Ghostery and Disconnect to block cookies from collecting data about your online behavior. It’s also best to utilize your web browser’s built-in private browsing tools, such as Chrome’s Incognito mode or Safari’s Private Browsing. When you use these built-in tools, your browser won’t save details of your browsing session, so it won’t remember your search history, the pages you visited, or your autofill information. This also means your online activities won’t be saved on your device or shared with your other devices. Use a virtual private network (VPN) Cybercriminals can intercept data between two parties, allowing them to steal sensitive data, such as login credentials and banking information. A VPN can help solve this problem since it anonymizes your online activity by routing your connection through its secure servers. With a VPN, all of your data traffic gets encrypted and sent via an anonymous IP address. This makes it difficult for hackers to track or intercept your data. Install antivirus software Antivirus software is a must for keeping viruses and other malware away from your work PCs, tablets, and smartphones. It will scan your devices for malware and block it if detected, keeping you safe from malicious parties that are after your data. Make sure to keep your antivirus up to date so it can keep you protected even from the latest cyberthreats. You can enable automatic updates to ensure you’re always running the latest software version. Train your employees Provide your employees with security training so they would be aware of the latest scams, know how to recognize cyberthreats, and practice good cyber hygiene. Make sure training sessions also cover your company policies related to data privacy and security, which may include guidelines like: Use strong and unique passwords for every account. Be wary of clicking on links in emails and opening suspicious email attachments. Download software only from legitimate sources. Do not store important documents on unsecured devices. By taking these steps, you can provide a safer online environment for your employees and protect your business from cyberthreats. If you need help implementing these tips, get in touch with our IT experts.
Private browsing: How to stay safe online
Are you concerned that someone might come across your online search history? Do you want to go gift shopping without having anyone else find out? Or, maybe you’d like to watch videos on YouTube without having to manage the recommended videos once you log in again? If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then you should consider private browsing. What is private browsing? Private browsing is a privacy feature found in some web browsers. When enabled, a web browser creates a temporary session that is isolated from the main browser session and user data. When the session is closed, browsing history, web cache, and cookies are immediately cleared from the device, preventing others from seeing your online activities. While private and anonymous browsing are often thought to be the same, they’re actually two different things. Anonymous browsing masks your IP address and any other identifying information related to internet activity so that you can’t be traced. How to enable private browsing Enabling and disabling private browsing is simple, no matter which web browser you choose to use. Just follow these simple steps. Google Chrome Open the Google Chrome browser. Click on the three dots in the browser’s upper-right corner and choose New Incognito window. You can also use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Shift + N in Windows and Command + Shift + N on a Mac to open a new incognito window. Google Chrome Mobile Open Google Chrome. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of the screen and choose New Incognito window. Firefox Open Firefox. Click on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the browser’s upper-right corner and select New Private Window. You can also open a new private window by using the keyboard shortcuts CTRL + Shift + P on Windows and Command + Shift + P on a Mac. Firefox on Android Open Firefox. Tap the eye mask icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. Safari Open Safari. Go to File > New Private Window. Safari on iPad or iPhone Open Safari. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, tap the Tabs icon > (number) Tab > Private > Done. Microsoft Edge Open Microsoft Edge. Click on the three dots in the upper-right part of the browser and select New InPrivate window. Alternatively, you can open an InPrivate window using the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Shift + P. Microsoft Edge on mobile Open Microsoft Edge. Tap the three dots an the bottom of the screen and choose InPrivate. You can tap on an existing InPrivate window to continue your session, or tap the + button to open a new window. If you want to learn more about protecting your online activities, give our experts a call today.
Utilize AI to grow your eCommerce business
eCommerce is enjoying a period of unprecedented growth, and its continued development shows no signs of stopping, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) technology. As eCommerce business owners increasingly embrace AI capabilities in 2023 and beyond, they’re going to need to learn more about how AI can benefit their bottom line. Personalized recommendations By leveraging the power of machine learning (ML), eCommerce companies can get to know their customers better than before. ML provides insights about customer habits and interests based on their activities on a business’s website, as well as on other websites, enabling businesses to gain an unprecedented level of understanding about what makes each customer tick. When properly configured, ML can be used to customize the online shopping experience and analyze the shopping behaviors of individual users. This allows e-tailers to provide tailored product recommendations, pairings, and promotions catered to each customer’s needs, resulting in a more enjoyable journey for customers and an increase in profits for business owners. Voice and image search capabilities Many eCommerce stores are now using voice and image search tools to make shopping easier, faster, and more convenient for consumers. This innovative development expands online searching capabilities beyond simple text input searches while making the retail experience — even on a mobile device — a breeze. To do a voice search, customers can simply click on or tap the microphone icon on an eCommerce site. Websites with AI voice recognition and natural language processing functionalities will identify what the user said and display all products relevant to their search query. On the other hand, to initiate a visual search, all a user has to do is upload a photo of the product they are looking for or one that looks similar to it. AI will then make suggestions based on the data from the uploaded image. Enhanced inventory and warehouse management AI-powered demand forecasting solutions help e-tailers keep better track of their inventory. These tools analyze sales trends and consumer behavior to anticipate changes or disruptions in supply levels. This, in turn, helps businesses ensure they don’t run out of items they need, nor overestimate their supplies on hand. Many eCommerce companies are also deploying AI robots in their warehouses. These handy machines can be programmed to expedite delivery processes, from product retrieval when an is placed to when the dispatch is complete. Thanks to these robotic helpers, a customer’s purchase arrives on time every time. Improved customer service Through AI chatbots, eCommerce businesses can provide customers with a more responsive and convenient customer experience. This technology empowers agents to tackle complex questions more efficiently while allowing the bots to handle basic inquiries like order status or product availability. This helps streamline service operations without sacrificing service quality. Get in touch with us today to learn more about AI and how it can foster your business’s growth. We’ll tell you how AI and other similarly innovative technologies can enhance your operations and help boost your profitability.
A quick guide to web hosting
To make your business visible to the world, you must establish an online presence. Doing so requires creating a website and partnering with a capable web host. This informative blog post will guide entrepreneurs in understanding the basics of web hosting so they can get their site up and running quickly. What does web hosting mean? Web hosting is an essential service that allows individuals and organizations to make their website internet-accessible. It is a type of hosting service where businesses can store and run their website files on a web server that is typically owned by the web host. Popular web hosting providers include DreamHost, HostGator, GoDaddy, and Bluehost. When you acquire a web hosting plan, you are essentially renting space on the host’s server for a monthly fee. You can think of it as paying for an apartment in a building; the landlord (your web host) owns the entire building, and you get to rent out one of the apartments within it (web hosting). Web hosting also comes with an array of features and services that are designed to make your website easier to manage, including database access, email accounts, and domain purchases. Are there different types of web hosting? Depending on the provider, there could be many types of web hosting available. The main ones include: Shared hosting – involves multiple websites sharing a single web server, with each website allocated its own resources. It is the most economical option, as it requires minimal technical knowledge and comes with features such as one-click software installation, email accounts, and unlimited website hosting. Virtual private server (VPS) hosting – suitable for websites that require more control and flexibility than what shared hosting offers. A VPS is a virtual machine with its own dedicated resources, so you can access the server remotely and manage it as if it were a physical computer. The benefits of VPS hosting include better performance, higher levels of security and privacy, and the ability to scale as your website grows. However, it may require technically savvy personnel to manage and configure. Dedicated hosting – provides the most resources and is ideal for large websites with high levels of traffic. The entire server is rented out by the client, so they can customize it to their own requirements and have full control over it. The drawback is that dedicated hosting can be an expensive option for businesses. Cloud hosting – utilizes multiple cloud servers to create a virtual environment for websites. It is similar to VPS in terms of features and customization, but the main benefit is that cloud hosting can scale to meet changing website demands. Additionally, there are no hardware maintenance costs and an uptime guarantee. Which web hosting type best fits your business? Ultimately, the choice of web hosting type depends on the size and scope of your website, as well as your budget. If you are just starting out or have a small website, shared hosting might be the right choice. On the other hand, businesses with larger websites will benefit from either VPS or dedicated hosting because of the flexibility they offer, especially if your website has several pages, expects high traffic, or requires special website features like an eCommerce component. Meanwhile, cloud hosting is recommended for businesses that need the highest levels of security, scalability, and uptime guarantee. In the end, it is best to take some time to evaluate your website’s needs and choose a hosting plan that meets them. If picking a suitable web hosting type and partner proves tricky, you should consult a professional. As IT experts ourselves, we can help you select the right web hosting provider. Give us a call to learn more.
How to boost website conversion
If you want your website to achieve success, then you need to focus on conversions rather than simply website traffic. Without any conversion rates, all that web traffic will amount to your site visitors leaving without taking a conversion-oriented action such as subscribing to a newsletter or turning into buying customers. If you’re looking for some tips to help increase your conversion rate, look no further. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five strategies that are sure to help. 1. Implement a mobile-first design In an increasingly mobile world, a mobile-first design is essential for any business that wants to succeed online. A mobile-first design is an approach to web design and development that gives priority to the mobile user experience. This includes creating responsive websites that scale to fit smaller screens, as well as designing dedicated mobile apps. Not only should your website’s main pages be easily accessible, but so should any inner pages and call-to-action buttons. If not, then visitors will become frustrated and leave for another site. 2. Simplicity is key A website’s design should not have any unnecessary elements because it can often be confusing or time-consuming for users to have to sift through a bunch of information. Sometimes, less is more. The goal of every page, word, and image on a basic website should be to drive visitors to contact you. Avoid too much information, out-of-place games, and unnecessary animations that will only serve as a distraction. Instead, go for a clean layout so that visitors can quickly understand your offer and reach out to you with just one click. 3. Optimize placement of social media icons Placing social media icons helps add credibility to a business’s sites. However, this could be a double-edged sword. If you put these social media icons at the top of a page, it’s likely that visitors will click on them right away. This can be unfavorable, as visitors might leave your website and become sidetracked on social media. Keep in mind that the point of having a website is to get visitors to stay and explore what you have to offer. So, you should display social media icons at the bottom of the page or footer area instead. This will give you a chance to engage site visitors with your services and content. 4. Use captivating photos As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This is especially true when it comes to website design. The right image can immediately grab the attention of visitors and make your site more memorable. When selecting images for your website, be sure to choose quality photos that are relevant to your content. In addition, avoid using stock photos whenever possible. Instead, try to use photos of your team and/or offerings. Using stock images can make your business look unprofessional and might leave a bad impression. But with original images, you have complete control over the message that your pictures send, allowing you to stand out from your competition. Also, keep in mind that consistency is key when trying to connect with your audience. Use a particular photographic or graphic style that they will easily be able to identify. Doing so will also help your brand become more trustworthy and relatable. 5. Be reachable Placing all the ways customers can reach you on your website can be beneficial. And remember to make sure your contact details are easily visible. This makes it simpler for customers to get in touch with you, whether they want more information or are ready to do business with you. Displaying your phone number and other contact details also provides people who may be hesitant to leave their email addresses on a web form with a way to get in touch with you. Encouraging conversion doesn’t have to be complicated. By following the tips we’ve outlined and paying attention to key website essentials, you can create a space that is both visually appealing and effective in driving conversions. If you have questions, contact us today and our experts will be glad to guide you.
What’s the ideal internet bandwidth for remote working?
As remote work becomes more popular, internet bandwidth becomes increasingly important to an employee’s productivity. If you’re finding it difficult to be as productive at home as you are in the office despite having a strong and stable internet connection, it might be because you don’t have enough bandwidth. Here’s how much you need for different types of tasks. What is internet bandwidth? Bandwidth is how much data your internet connection can transfer in a second. A higher bandwidth allows more data to be transferred at once. Most internet providers have different bandwidth limits for downloads and uploads. Data transfer speed is calculated in megabytes per second (Mbps) or bytes per second (Bps), which indicates the maximum amount of data that can be sent through your home internet connection. How much internet bandwidth is needed for remote work? Several factors affect how much internet bandwidth you need to work remotely, like the type of job you have and which apps/programs you use. Simple tasks such as checking your email, chatting online, or creating documents don’t use too much bandwidth. However, if your tasks require more complex processes, like video calling, then you’ll need higher bandwidth to complete them. Below is a list of commonly used apps by remote workers, and the bandwidth required to use them effectively. Google Meet Google Meet needs access to enough concurrent bandwidth for HD meetings, as well as supplemental bandwidth in order to support other needs, such as live streaming. If there isn’t enough bandwidth for a video conference, the app will automatically switch to audio-only mode. Below are the minimum bandwidth requirements for Google Meet. Average bandwidth requirement per participant Type of meeting Inbound Outbound HD video conference 1.6 Mbps 2.2 Mbps Audio-only mode 18 Kbps 12 Kbps Average bandwidth requirements per live stream viewer Video setting Required inbound bandwidth 720p 2.6 Mbps 480p 1.5 Mbps 360p 1.0 Mbps 240p 0.5 Mbps Zoom Zoom will adjust its bandwidth usage for the best experience possible based on the participant’s network, whether it be 3G, Wi-Fi, or wired. Here are the bandwidth requirements for different types of Zoom meetings. 1-on-1 video call Video setting Required bandwidth High-quality video 600 Kbps (up/down) 720p HD video 1.2 Mbps (up/down) 1080p HD video 3.8 Mbps/3.0 Mbps (up/down) Group video call Video setting Required bandwidth High-quality video 1.0M Bps/600 Kbps (up/down) 720p HD video 2.6 Mbps/1.8 Mbps (up/down) 1080p HD video 3.8 Mbps/3.0 Mbps (up/down) Gallery view receiving 2.0 Mbps (25 views), 4.0 Mbps (49 views) Webinar participants Video setting Required bandwidth High-quality video 600 Kbps (down) 720p HD video 1.2‒1.8 Mbps (down) 1080p HD video 2–3 Mbps (down) Microsoft Teams No matter the condition of your internet connection, Teams guarantees the best audio, video, and content sharing experience. If you have insufficient bandwidth, Teams will prioritize audio quality over video quality. This table details how much bandwidth Teams uses. Bandwidth Requirement for Audio Only Type of meeting Minimum Recommended Optimum One-on-one 10 Kbps/10 Kbps (up/down) 58 Kbps/58 Kbps (up/down) 76 Kbps/76 Kbps (up/down) Group 1.2‒1.8 Mbps (down) 58kbps/58kbps (up/down) 76 Kbps/76 Kbps (up/down) Bandwidth Requirement for Video Type of meeting Minimum Recommended Optimum One-on-one 150 Kbps/150 Kbps (up/down) 1.5 Mbps/1.5 Mbps (up/down) 4.0 Mbps/4.0 Mbps (up/down) Group 150 Kbps/200 Kbps (up/down) 2.5 Mbps/4.0 Mbps (up/down) 4.0 Mbps/4.0 Mbps (up/down) Bandwidth Requirement for Screen sharing Type of meeting Minimum Recommended Optimum One-on-one 200 Kbps/200 Kbps (up/down) 1.5 Mbps/1.5 Mbps (up/down) 4.0 Mbps/4.0 Mbps (up/down) Group 250 Kbps/250 Kbps (up/down) 2.5 Mbps/2.5 Mbps (up/down) 4.0 Mbps/4.0 Mbps (up/down) Bandwidth Requirement for Together mode Type of meeting Minimum Recommended Optimum One-on-one N/A N/A N/A Group 1.0 Mbps/1.5 Mbps (up/down) 1.5 Mbps/2.5 Mbps (up/down) 2.5 Mbps/4.0 Mbps (up/down) For more helpful tips on how you can optimize your remote work setup, call us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Gmail productivity tips you should know
A study done by the McKinsey Global Institute found that employees spend an average of 13 hours every week checking their emails. You can bring that number down and spend more time focusing on essential tasks by trying these Gmail tips. Use keyboard shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts can help you go through your emails quickly. It lets you categorize your emails, add them to your task list, or report them as spam. And for those with vision or mobility disabilities, using keyboard shortcuts is easier than working with a mouse. You can turn on keyboard shortcuts by clicking on the gear icon and going to See all settings > General. Scroll down the page and select the “Keyboard shortcuts on” option. Once you’ve done that, you can quickly bring up the overview of all available shortcuts by hitting the ? key on your keyboard. Enable smart compose and smart reply Smart compose and smart reply are features that help you write emails faster by predicting what you want to say next based on your past emails and usage. For example, Gmail will provide predictions for you after a while if you consistently send the same type of email, such as a monthly invoice to your accounting team. The text suggested by Gmail will appear in a light gray type. If you want to add the suggested text, press the tab key on the keyboard. To enable or disable smart compose and smart reply, click on the gear icon and go to See all settings > General. Then, click on the checkbox next to the feature to activate it. Set email reminders with nudges Another helpful Gmail feature is nudges. If you forgot to reply to an email, this feature will automatically move the email back up to the top of your inbox and ask if you’d like to respond. Similarly, if you haven’t received a response to an email that you’ve previously sent, Gmail will prompt you to send a follow-up message. You can enable nudges by clicking the gear icon and then choosing See all settings > General. Toggle on the “Suggest emails to reply to” and “Suggest emails to follow up on” options. Label your messages With labels, you can organize your inbox by tagging every email you receive or send. You can even add labels to drafts. Labels are similar to folders; however, unlike folders, you can add more than one label to a single message. To add a label, select an email in your inbox then click on the label icon in the row of buttons at the top of your inbox. From there, you have the option to create a new label or add an email to an existing label. You can also do this by clicking the gear icon and selecting See all settings > Labels, or accessing Labels directly from the left sidebar of your inbox. By taking a moment to optimize your inbox, you can help save hours of work each month and become more productive. If you want to learn more Gmail tips and tricks, give us a call today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
What is single sign-on and why should you be using it
If you use multiple applications and accounts for work, you know how frustrating it can be to have to enter different usernames and passwords for each one. That’s where single sign-on comes in. What is single sign on? Single sign-on or SSO is an authentication method that lets users access several applications and websites with a single set of login credentials. For example, if you log in to Gmail, SSO will automatically sign you into other Google applications, such as Analytics and AdSense. How does SSO work? SSO is built on the concept of federated identity, which allows multiple systems to share identification information. When a user logs in to a service with their SSO credentials, an authentication token is generated and stored on their browser or in the SSO provider’s servers. Any app or website that the user visits afterward will verify the user’s identity with the SSO provider, which will then deliver the user’s token to confirm their identity and grant them access. This forms the foundation for modern SSO solutions that use protocols such as OpenID Connect and SAML 2.0. What are the benefits of SSO? Apart from being more convenient and simpler to use, SSO offers these key benefits: Better password management SSO makes it easier for workers to manage their login information since they only need to remember one set of credentials instead of dozens. And users only need to remember one password, they can create more unique and use stronger passwords for individual accounts, making it harder for cybercriminals to access and steal their information. Improved password policy enforcement Because password entry is centralized, SSO makes it easy for IT teams to enforce password security policies. For example, many businesses require employees to change their passwords regularly. Rather than having to reset several passwords across various applications and services each time, IT teams only need to reset one for each user. SSO also helps IT administrators implement the reentering of login information after a given period to ensure an employee is still active on the signed-in device. This is a critical security measure for businesses, as it can prevent dormant accounts from being used to access company data. Less time wasted recovering forgotten passwords By utilizing SSO, IT staff can reduce the number of password recovery or reset requests they receive, and users can spend less time waiting for password resets. This can help raise employees’ productivity levels and allow IT personnel to focus on more important issues. If you think SSO is ideal for your business, give us a call. Our experts are ready to help you. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Make your website stand out with these modern design trends
Nearly 94% of a visitor’s first impression of your business comes from web design. That’s why it’s critical that your website uses modern web design trends. But how can you leverage these trends to spruce up your website? Read on to learn more. Custom illustrations A popular website design trend is the use of custom illustrations instead of photography. The reason for this is that illustrated images are smaller in size and therefore will load faster than traditional photographs. Illustrations can also be a great way to convey ideas and concepts that may be harder to express with photographs. Web pages for services or causes, which usually don’t have product images, can benefit from unique illustrations to capture visitors’ attention. A good example is Alice Lee’s, which uses illustrations to highlight her various services. Dyamic scrolling effects Scrolling effects are animations that are triggered when a user scrolls down the page. They can make web experiences more dynamic and encourage visitors to keep scrolling. Engineered Floors is a good example of a website taking full advantage of scrolling effects. Scrollytelling Scrollytelling, or narrative visualization, unfolds a digital story as a user scrolls down the page. These stories can be either short bits of information or long reads with supporting images and videos that change as a visitor scrolls down the page. This design allows you to highlight your company’s products or services through engaging content to captivate visitors and entice them to make a purchase, subscribe to a mailing list, and more. A great example of scrollytelling is Infrared Mind Body. One-page websites A one-page website features a simple and straightforward design that highlights the important selling points of the products or services you want to promote. By eliminating visitors’ need to navigate multiple pages, they will likely stay on your site longer, increasing the chances of a successful purchase or subscription. FourFold Consulting is a perfect example of a good one-page website. Monochromatic layouts A monochromatic layout uses a clean, simple design with a few colored elements to catch a user’s attention. Similar to using white space, this design is ideal if you want to draw visitors to a call to action button. Check out Lemonade’s website to see how effective a monochromatic layout can be. Minimalism Minimalism uses flat design elements, such as basic geometric forms, clean text, limited color palettes, and straight lines to create a unified and functional design. A minimalist design makes it easy to book an appointment, buy items, or look for more information because there are no flashy effects or large walls of text to distract users. Additionally, websites with fewer elements load faster and improve user experience. To see how effective a minimalist website design is when done right, look at Outlab’s website. If you’re looking to incorporate these modern design trends into your website, give our expert team a call today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Why HTTPS matters for your cybersecurity
It’s no secret that the internet can be a dangerous place. Hackers, scammers, and identity thieves are always looking for new ways to steal your information or scam you out of your hard-earned money. That’s why it’s critical to take steps to protect yourself while you’re online. One of these is to make sure that the sites you visit use HTTPS What is HTTPS encryption? Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, or HTTPS, is a secure communications protocol used to send and receive data over the internet. Data that is transmitted over HTTPS is encrypted, making it more difficult for third parties to read. HTTPS provides a higher level of security than standard HTTP and is often used for online banking and eCommerce transactions, as well as other sensitive communication. HTTPS was introduced in 1995, so older websites that have been left without regular maintenance usually don’t have this implemented. But even to this day, unsecure websites exist, and fraudsters can easily take advantage of them. When you visit a site without an HTTPS connection, everything you type or click on that website is sent without encryption. This means that anyone who intercepts the data transferred between the website and your device can view the information as is. For instance, cybercriminals can use unsecured HTTP connections to gain access to your Social Security number, credit card information, and other personal data. What role do HTTPS certificates play in cybersecurity? When you visit a website, your device uses an online directory to translate its alphanumeric name into a numerical address and saves that information so that it doesn’t have to check the online directory every time you visit the same website. But if your computer gets compromised via an HTTP connection, it could be manipulated into directing a perfectly safe web address like www.google.com to a malicious website. Most of the time, users are sent to spoofed sites that look exactly like legitimate websites and are designed to trick users into divulging their credentials. To prevent such incidents, the online directories mentioned earlier issue an ecosystem of certificates that turn HTTP into HTTPS, making it impossible for anyone to be redirected to a fraudulent website. These certificates contain information about the site, such as the domain name, company name, and location. It also includes a public key that is used to encrypt communications between a user’s browser and the website they’re viewing. How to ensure cybersecurity safety with HTTPS Here are a few things to consider the next time you browse the internet: If your browser marks a website as “unsafe,” think twice about clicking “Proceed anyway.” Click the prompt only if you are absolutely certain no confidential data will be transmitted. Use trusted web browser extensions like HTTPS Everywhere. These extensions encrypt your communication, which is especially useful if you visit unencrypted websites. Always be vigilant. Some sites may have HTTPS, but it doesn’t mean they’re safe. For example, goog1e.com (with the “l” replaced with a one) could have a certificate, but the misspelling clearly indicates that it’s an untrustworthy site. Cybercriminals use similar spellings of authentic websites to fool people into thinking that they’re on a secure site. This is called typosquatting or URL hijacking. Avoid sites that don’t use the HTTPS prefix. While HTTPS is not a cure-all for internet security, it is a critical step in protecting yourself online. Contact us today if you want to learn more about HTTPS and other cybersecurity tips. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.