[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: INTERNET - 7 Tips for Safety Online

Tue Dec 9 16:21:32 PST 2025

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Don't let the hackers get to you

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Webinars for You

NOTE: Webinars begin at 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT and are one hour long.

December 17: [GRAPHICS] GIF Animations for Images, Websites and Social Media. Why Attend? You want your graphics to grab attention.

January 14: [CYBERSECURITY] Say Goodbye to Password Hassles with Passkeys! Why Attend? You want safer logins for your online accounts.

January 28: [COMMUNICATION] OurStoryBridge: Connecting the Past and Present! Why Attend? You want to capture people’s stories in your community, knowing that online, brief oral histories are the way to do it in the 21st century.

February 11: [GOOGLE FORMS & AI] Let AI Reveal the Story Behind Your Google Form Responses. Why Attend? You gather data with forms and want immediate analysis of trends and summaries.

View Webinars and Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tk6NFp0SaEhVGLcJkJWwOshz2CCCKlZzJ2xa78EQ4E4dZCp3gGt0QeWj5Xko7MtixC5BrQYB6k3ZtKv0sccWtJug62KlKPibasWQ0iYYAvWsn1l6fl-CJlMsszrXOCJnsRoSluNJ12AspI0cfBtpyx5fCFtiqNbh11A0Fx3PBvI=&c=5BYbGB_RYKTvPac00B2V_PrtYa53xI6NzURTck59ckULN1qDME_Hlg==&ch=Ra8sfYUhJNVzB_MGnGvc5_MIxxQy4Qva4BMXjHDa_WYJIwaegVkwMA==>

INTERNET - 7 Tips for Safety Online

Intermediate

[safe online shopping]

It's not just the holidays when people do a lot of online activity. For many, it's the primary way to receive prescriptions, clothing, and even groceries on a regular basis.

In fact, upwards of 92% of U.S. people shop online, and that number grows every year!

However, when you're entering your personal information into a website, especially a payment method (even though it may feel safe and familiar) you still need to be vigilant.

Let's look at some tips to keep you safe when shopping online.

Tip #1: Look for the Website Padlock and SSL

[SSL]

In the website address bar see if there is a padlock image before the URL to verify that they have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption?

Look at the URL. Does it start with "HTTPS" not just "HTTP"? Having the https means they've taken extra protection for your password, contact details or credit card info.

Use a website safety checker. Still unsure if the website is legitimate? You can copy the website address (the URL) and paste it into a tool that will check it for you. Google has a "safe browsing site status" checker that examines billions of URLs every day looking for unsafe websites:

https://transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tk6NFp0SaEhVGLcJkJWwOshz2CCCKlZzJ2xa78EQ4E4dZCp3gGt0QY4MD6B_72v70xwpudYJbwEUGPA5hLuDgvDjiEp16a1twM76Nd4nJeWKfxGpnFlCmWPATWfUD3TdQciuGw766HIRdB1eFg3RMloY_yuZWQi3XM00S1l_69t4nJ_b3FFKbTBlEqn4wTlEkvfFnKjFrJQ=&c=5BYbGB_RYKTvPac00B2V_PrtYa53xI6NzURTck59ckULN1qDME_Hlg==&ch=Ra8sfYUhJNVzB_MGnGvc5_MIxxQy4Qva4BMXjHDa_WYJIwaegVkwMA==>

A similar safety tool is VirusTotal's free security checker:

https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/url<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tk6NFp0SaEhVGLcJkJWwOshz2CCCKlZzJ2xa78EQ4E4dZCp3gGt0QY4MD6B_72v7u552bWrpagl_1cKP5oMOmmFgPihdmTAzFSejApO5kYG4Vb7264B1q6SFuz_C71NYgr5eTDGMuEe5NNE6dhVE-EIL3N6M7gAOIac69QoLVlO0SVmy_KeKwQ==&c=5BYbGB_RYKTvPac00B2V_PrtYa53xI6NzURTck59ckULN1qDME_Hlg==&ch=Ra8sfYUhJNVzB_MGnGvc5_MIxxQy4Qva4BMXjHDa_WYJIwaegVkwMA==>

Tip #2: Be Careful When Using Public Wi-Fi

[free wi-fi]

When you're in a public place that offers free Wi-Fi, it's tempting to quickly connect. But before you do, make sure you know the type of Wi-fi ... whether or not your connection will be secure.

There are basically two kinds of public Wi-Fi: Secured and Unsecured.

TIP: It's best if you don't use unsecured unless you use a VPN or Virtual Private Network (see this Tech-Talk article<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tk6NFp0SaEhVGLcJkJWwOshz2CCCKlZzJ2xa78EQ4E4dZCp3gGt0QSbFx0ugDPpvpEUnEwJsvur500AhpOQMDBr0DVYkCv3NLEi4O3iKXrygz00FCtplJ7QI4V_FgbtR_78rYfDR4gykaHNg4PA96l2AFdO1FI6NylDi2J1szz4v1kCE8Ig2dyK1FGr1QKFPsce_QHYTRm_O7iZy5Q6TqQ==&c=5BYbGB_RYKTvPac00B2V_PrtYa53xI6NzURTck59ckULN1qDME_Hlg==&ch=Ra8sfYUhJNVzB_MGnGvc5_MIxxQy4Qva4BMXjHDa_WYJIwaegVkwMA==>).

So, what's the difference? (Clue: it's how you get to the Internet.)

·     Unsecured public Wi-Fi is like the type you may use in a local coffee shop or free wifi in an airport. You can connect directly to the internet without entering any type of password.

·     A secured network (as found in a library or a hotel) requires you to register for an account, agree to legal terms, or type in a password before connecting to the network.

It's best to be extra safe and limit online shopping to when you're using a trusted Internet connection. If you really need to make a purchase when away from home or the office, you may be able to use your phone as a hotspot to connect. See how here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tk6NFp0SaEhVGLcJkJWwOshz2CCCKlZzJ2xa78EQ4E4dZCp3gGt0QcoWNkBJ0y6WUuyTOzFuiVVDWKpjRfGF7zJKESwdMl9XlQeOI-mCsTysAFb3eGS1rRD2wFkkSM6NXRMepokYYOs8wkRagSDxSYf44beDh3xEL_wCyGpNqJQNR262gT_Q0E3idZHIAxgvjaD2fRdpjOOvl9h4V6rBfQ==&c=5BYbGB_RYKTvPac00B2V_PrtYa53xI6NzURTck59ckULN1qDME_Hlg==&ch=Ra8sfYUhJNVzB_MGnGvc5_MIxxQy4Qva4BMXjHDa_WYJIwaegVkwMA==>.

Tip # 3: Create a Strong Password for All Accounts

Don't skimp on the passwords that you use on any account. Make them strong so that hackers can't use your account for their own purchases.

[password]
·     Don't use the same passwords for everything.
·     Include a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters.
·     Passwords now should be 16 characters long.
·     Use a password manager to keep track of all of your impenetrable data.

Tip #4: Don't Click on Links in Emails

Spammers can spoof email addresses ... thus creating messages that look like something you receive from reputable retailers. Links can lead to dummy stores or infect your computer or phone with malware or viruses.

If you're in doubt if an email is legitimate:

·     Instead of clicking on a link from the email, go directly to the website address of the organization.
·     Google some of the words in the message and you may find that it is part of a scam. You can also put them in ChatGPT asking if they are legitimate.
·     Call the place of business directly to ask questions. For example, an email posing as your bank may request sensitive info. Don't click on any links, but talk to someone directly.

Tip #5: Protect Your Payments – Use A Credit (Not Debit) Card

[credit card]

A debit card gives scammers instant access to your liquid cash. When you pay with a credit card:

·     Most companies offer some form of zero-fraud liability. This means that if someone gets a hold of your card you won't be held liable for the charges.
·     Credit cards often offer additional consumer protection with warranties and insurance coverage.
·     Using a prepaid card will also protect access to your cash as they are loaded with a specific amount of funds and offer a level of anonymity and protection for personally identifiable information.

[order tracking]

Tip #6: Track Your Order to Guard Against Being Stolen

Take note of the delivery day and tracking information so that you're on the lookout for a delivery and your packages are less likely to be stolen.

Tip #7: Check Your Credit Card Statements Every Month

Even though you may not get paper statements in the mail anymore, look at your account online every month and review each line item transaction to make sure all charges were made by you. Some banks only go back three months to credit fraudulent changes, so review regularly.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/f8f1ecc8-4884-4c21-8ed0-cf647e6db944.png?rdr=true]

Communications: Talking/Writing

Use "And" Instead of "But"

When you're in a conversation and listening to another person's ideas or input, be very careful not to automatically say, "Yes, but..."

When you say "but..." (even when you are agreeing) it shuts down the conversation and suggests that an objection, excuse or disapproval is coming.

Instead, use "and" ... even when it may not seem sensible. Yes, when you are going to say something contradicting what you heard, you can still use "and" to connect to your thought.

"And" is a simple word that opens up the conversation and continues collaborative discussions so that your listener hasn't shut down because of hearing a "but...".

Example of replacing "but" with "and" in ordinary conversation:

Sue: "I think you should paint the room blue because it's a very calming color."

Steve: "Yes, but I think it has to be light blue." (Hear how, even though you are building on the thought of blue, it sounds a bit contrary or argumentative?)

or

Steve: "Yes, and I think it has to be light blue."

(Hear how it truly comes across as if you are supportive, building on Sue's idea.)

When you do disagree, and want to say "but", insert "and" instead.

You can still substitute AND for BUT even when it may not seem sensible. When you are going to say something contradicting what you heard, (and you really want to use "but") you can use " and" to connect to your thought.

The example continues...

Sue: "I think you should paint the room blue because it's a very calming color."

Steve: "Yes, and we should look at a pale yellow as another choice."

INSTEAD of...

Steve: "But we should look at a pale yellow as another choice."

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://slo.oregon.gov/conted/
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

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