Future Ready Skills

 Secure Browsing:

Staying secure while browsing the internet is essential for protecting your personal information and privacy. 

Incognito or private browsing modes are features available in most modern web browsers that allow you to browse without saving certain data to your device. Here's how they can help:

• What It Does:

  • Prevents the browser from saving your browsing history, cookies, or login credentials.
  • Helpful for shared or public devices to ensure your information isn’t stored locally.

• What It Doesn't Do:

  • It doesn’t make you anonymous online or hide your activity from your internet service provider (ISP), employer, or websites you visit.

• When to Use It:

  • Logging into sensitive accounts on public devices.
  • Shopping or researching when you want to avoid targeted ads based on your activity.

Secure Websites:

When visiting a website, it’s crucial to ensure the connection is secure to protect your data, especially when entering sensitive information like passwords or credit card details.

• Look for HTTPS:

  • A secure website uses HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), indicated by a URL starting with "https://".
  • The "S" stands for secure, meaning your data is encrypted and less vulnerable to interception.

• Check for the Padlock Symbol:

  • Most browsers display a small padlock icon in the address bar for secure sites. Clicking on it provides details about the website's security certificate.

• Avoid Warning Messages:

  • If your browser warns you that a site isn’t secure or its certificate is invalid, proceed cautiously or avoid it altogether.

Public Wi-Fi:

Public Wi-Fi networks, such as coffee shops, airports, or hotels, may lack proper security, making them a hotspot for hackers.

• The Risks:

  • Data Interception: Hackers can intercept data transmitted over unsecured networks.
  • Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Attackers can place themselves between you and the website you’re visiting to steal information.
  • Fake Hotspots: Scammers might set up a Wi-Fi network that looks legitimate to trick users into connecting.

• How to Stay Safe:

  • Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network):
    • VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it unreadable to anyone attempting to intercept it.
    • Popular VPN options include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN.
  • Avoid Entering Sensitive Information:
    • Don’t log into banking sites or make online purchases on public Wi-Fi.
  • Enable ‘Forget This Network’:
    • After using public Wi-Fi, ensure your device doesn’t automatically reconnect in the future.
  • Turn Off File Sharing:
    • Disable file sharing and AirDrop features when connected to public networks.

 Password Security:

Passwords are the first line of defense in protecting your online accounts and personal information. A strong password can make it significantly harder for attackers to access your accounts. Weak passwords, on the other hand, are easy for hackers to guess using automated tools like brute force attacks or dictionary attacks, which try millions of common password combinations in seconds.

• Use a Passphrase:

  • Create a password using a combination of random but memorable words. For example, "BlueHorse$SunnyBridge94" is easier to remember than "x9&2B!q".

• Make It Long:

  • The longer your password, the harder it is to crack. Aim for at least 12-16 characters.

• Avoid Common Words and Patterns:

  • Don’t use predictable passwords like "123456," "password," or "qwerty." These are among the most hacked passwords.

• Include a Mix of Characters:

  • Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. For example: "S@fe!2024^Tree."

• Don’t Reuse Passwords:

  • Using the same password for multiple accounts increases risk. If one account is compromised, all others are vulnerable.

• Avoid Personal Information:

  • Avoid including your name, birth date, or any easily guessable personal details in your password.

Password Manager:

A password manager is a tool that securely stores and generates unique passwords for all your accounts. Here’s why it’s essential:

• Simplifies Password Management:
  You only need to remember one master password to access your password manager.

• Generates Strong Passwords:
  Password managers create long, random passwords that are difficult to crack.

• Enhances Security Across Accounts:
  Using unique passwords for every account prevents a breach in one system from exposing others.

Popular password managers include LastPass, 1Password, and Bitwarden, some offer free versions.

Use a Password Tester - PasswordMonster - Password Tester | Test Your Password Strength | Bitwarden - WhatISMyIP.com

  Detecting and Combating Deepfakes

As deepfake technology improves, detecting them becomes increasingly challenging. It’s important to stay informed!

1. AI Detection Tools:
   • Tools like Microsoft Video Authenticator and Sensity AI analyze media for inconsistencies, such as unnatural movements or pixel anomalies.
2. Watermarking:
   • Embedding cryptographic watermarks in authentic videos to verify their origin.
3. Education and Awareness:
   • Teaching individuals to critically evaluate media and recognize red flags like mismatched lighting, unnatural blinking, or inconsistent audio.

Identity Theft and Fraud:

1. Impersonation: Deepfake technology can mimic someone’s voice or appearance, enabling identity theft or unauthorized access to accounts.
2. Scams: Cybercriminals have used deepfake audio to impersonate CEOs, instructing employees to transfer funds to fraudulent accounts.
3. Security Breaches: Overcoming biometric systems like facial recognition by using synthetic media.

Harassment and Defamation:

• Non-Consensual Deepfakes: Creating explicit content using someone’s likeness without consent, often targeting celebrities or private individuals.
• Reputation Damage: Altering videos to portray individuals in compromising or unethical situations falsely.

Protect Yourself:

1. Verify Media Sources:
   • Cross-check videos or images against trusted news outlets and reverse image search tools.
2. Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA):
   • Secure accounts with additional verification steps beyond voice or facial recognition.
3. Report Malicious Content:
   • If you encounter deepfake content used maliciously, report it to relevant authorities or platforms.

  How to Manage Cookies:
 

To protect your privacy:

• Adjust Browser Settings: Block or limit cookies in your browser’s privacy settings.
• Clear Cookies Regularly: Delete stored cookies to prevent tracking over time.
• Use Browser Extensions: Tools like ad blockers can reduce tracking by third-party cookies.