The internet has made our lives much easier, but people often make mistakes when using it, which they regret later. Blunders like accidentally uploading old middle-school photos on social media can cause simple embarrassment. But other slip-ups, like clicking on an innocuous-looking link on a random email, may have graver consequences, including losing one’s bank balance. To avoid such problems, here are certain things to never do on the internet.
Clicking on links in suspicious emails
Fraudulent emails are among the most common forms of phishing and malware-based attacks. Many people receive emails stating they have won prizes like a penthouse, a fancy sports car, or a million dollars and must click on a link to claim their reward. When users click on such links, rootkits are downloaded onto their systems. Rootkits are malicious software that give cybercriminals complete access to a computer and the information stored on it.
Phishing emails usually go to the spam folder of one’s email account. If that does not happen, individuals must delete and report spurious emails with harmful links.
Using public Wi-Fi without a VPN
Public Wi-Fi is a crowd-favorite as it saves precious internet data when outdoors. However, such networks are also hunting grounds for hackers and cybercriminals. Malicious entities can access devices connected to the network and misuse information stored on them. In fact, hackers themselves set up free and easily accessible internet connections in public places.
To avoid a cyber attack, individuals can download and enable a virtual private network (VPN) when connected to public Wi-Fi. A VPN acts as a secret tunnel by creating an encrypted connection through a safe and secure server. This encryption obscures the user’s IP address and location so that hackers cannot access their device while they surf the internet using a public Wi-Fi network. Thanks to a VPN, individuals can browse the internet without worrying about someone tailing them secretly.
While a VPN can be handy, people should avoid assessing an unknown Wi-Fi or hotspot unless absolutely necessary. Doing so can help stay away from invasive cyber attacks.
Posting sensitive information on social media
Social media platforms allow people to express their personality quirks, likes, dislikes, and opinions. They are also a digital gateway to friends and family members from all around the world. However, one must be careful about what and how much information they share on social media. Oversharing can be highly problematic. Posting sensitive personal details can result in identity theft and cyberbullying. Some mischief makers may also publish one’s private information on other websites.
The best way to avoid such problems is to only share information and media that cannot be exploited and re-shared without one’s knowledge. Individuals may also check the privacy settings of their social media accounts and increase their privacy level. It ensures a person’s posts are visible only to close friends, relatives, and those authorized.
Disabling two-factor authentication
Many reputable websites and apps ask users to enable two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized persons from logging in to their accounts or assessing files. With this setting enabled, one must enter their regular login credentials, plus answer a personal question or provide a one-time password (OTP) sent on another device to log into an account.
While two-factor authentication may be enabled to protect any profile, including social media handles, the setting is especially helpful for securing banking apps. It protects people against monetary fraud and phishing attacks.
Using the same password for multiple platforms
This is a cyber-hygiene mistake most people make. After all, remembering and using just a single password is incredibly convenient and easy. However, using a single password is like using the same key for all the doors in a house. If hackers crack the password, they will slowly but surely hack into every account linked to it. This makes it one of the things never to do on the internet.
Using separate passwords is safer than using the same one for multiple accounts. Experts recommend using a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters to create strong passwords.
Shopping at unknown e-commerce stores
Online shopping sites have made purchasing goods so easy that people are always tempted to pick up their phones and order away. However, using e-commerce sites can be dangerous. Hackers may create fake shopping apps or sites to extract money from unsuspecting customers. So, one must always assess the store’s credibility before purchasing. Saving credit card details on e-commerce websites is another thing to never do on the internet.
Taking online personality quizzes
Personality quizzes are fun but just a thinly veiled attempt to collect user data in many cases. One must stay away from quizzes with titles like “discover which character you are from XYZ movie or TV series” and self-assessment tests that demand personal information.
Downloading apps from non-recommended sites
As implied earlier, hackers create fake apps and websites to fool people and get control of their personal information or money. One must download apps only from authorized app stores or trustworthy websites.
Sharing login credentials
This is arguably the most basic cyber-hygiene habit. One should never share the login credentials of any of their accounts online. Hackers and other cybercriminals constantly await to pounce on such mistakes to steal user data.
Every city and town in the country has a handful of reliable internet providers. Some offer affordable broadband internet plans, while others have launched faster fiber packages for an additional price. So when you decide to pick an internet provider, it boils down to your usage patterns and budget. If you have selected the type of internet speed you need, check out these top broadband and fiber plans for your home.
Broadband internet plans
If you’re interested in cost-effective broadband plans, here are the top options to consider:
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
If you pick T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, you can access typical download speeds between 33-182 Mbps. These speeds are sufficient for streaming video, working from home, and surfing the web. The T-Mobile Home Internet plan is available for just $50 a month with AutoPay enabled. However, you could get it for $40 if you are a Go5G, Magenta®, or essentials phone plan customer, with additional benefits like Apple TV+ for six months. Moreover, the Go5G Plus or Magenta® MAX phone plan customers who add home internet could pay as low as $30/month with added benefits like Netflix™ and Apple TV+. Each plan includes benefits such as a 5G Gateway device included, free 2-day shipping, and T-Mobile Tuesday perks.
Spectrum Internet®
Spectrum Internet is one of the best high-speed internet providers of 2023. When you sign up for their services, you can enjoy the services for over 12 months with speeds starting from 300 Mbps for about $50/month. You could also pick their Internet Ultra (500 Mbps) package for $70/month or the Internet Gig (1 Gbps) for $90/month for 12 months. The brand’s broadband internet plans include free advanced WiFi and a free unlimited mobile line with Spectrum One. These plans and features make the brand one of the most affordable and reliable internet service providers in the country.
Xfinity
Some of the most popular plans from Xfinity start at $30/month for 12 months with speeds up to 75 Mbps (Connect package). While you could go for the brand’s router starting at an additional $15 a month, Xfinity also lets you use your device to access the internet. If you pick their Connect More plan, it will cost $35/month for 24 months. You could also opt for the Gigabit package (1 Gbps) at $75/month for 24 months with a 2-year contract. These deals include Xfinity’s router – xFi Gateway. You could also get additional benefits with the router, such as unlimited data and a free upgrade after three years, if you pick the xFi Complete deal for an added $10.
Fiber internet plans
Here are the top fiber providers to consider for whopping fast internet speeds.
AT&T Fiber
One of the best high-speed fiber internet providers of 2023 is AT&T. The prices start at $55/month, plus taxes for up to 300 Mbps. You could also pick faster fiber speeds ranging from 500 Mbps to 5 Gbps for prices between $65/month to $180/month, plus taxes. AT&T Fiber also includes a reward card between $100 to $150 based on your chosen internet plan. The brand also assures equal upload and download speeds, unlimited data, no annual contracts, and equipment fees included in their packages. AT&T also offers ActiveArmorSM internet security – a built-in protective feature with 24/7 proactive network security for wireless and internet at home and work. It also includes free in-app security features such as managing who is using the Wi-Fi® network.
Verizon Fios
Verizon offers some of the fastest fiber internet plans in the market. You can purchase Verizon’s Fios Home Internet plans starting from $50/month on AutoPay for speeds up to 300 Mbps. You could bring the price down to about $25/month with an existing mobile plan and AutoPay. Verizon also offers 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps plans for about $45/month and $65/month (with an existing mobile plan and AutoPay enabled). The internet service provider also offers other perks if you subscribe to the plan online, including a $50 Verizon gift card with the 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps packages. The 1 Gig plan comes with a $100 gift card. Furthermore, other benefits of the 1 Gbps plan include an Xbox Series S Console or a $200 Home Depot Gift Card. You can find all the details on Verizon’s website.
Frontier Fiber
Frontier Fiber offers a range of internet packages you can choose from based on your usage. If you are a heavy user of the web, watch loads of content, or even game online, you should consider going for their Fiber 1 Gig, Fiber 2 Gig, or Fiber 5 Gig plans. These are available at about $70, $100, and $155, respectively. However, if your usage is casual or professional web surfing, and even if you watch content in 4k, their Fiber 500 plan for just $50 could be the ideal choice. Each of the plans from Frontier also comes with a router. Frontier Fiber also offers unlimited data to their customers with no caps or overage charges. You could save $10 on your monthly bill when you sign up for and maintain AutoPay.
Internet connectivity has become the need of the hour. In fact, many consider it a basic necessity that is instrumental in shaping a child’s education and outlook. The federal government recognizes this importance and has introduced discounted credit programs to help cut down the ownership cost of an Internet connection. On that note, here are some useful tips and the best Internet providers that offer student Wi-Fi deals at affordable prices.
Key features to consider while comparing student Wi-Fi plans
Here are the key benefits and features to compare:
Featured service providers for student Wi-Fi plans
These are the top services that partner with federal programs to offer affordable connectivity solutions:
Apart from these featured providers, you can check out services like Frontier, Optimum, Mediacom, T-Mobile, and Verizon FIOS. You can avail yourself of discounts on student Wi-Fi plans in the range of $10 to $20 per month, depending on the provider, available plans, and location.