The Internet has become a crucial part of our day-to-day life. If you consider the amount of time you spend glued to a screen, you will realize just how web-dependent life is today. And this is excluding the time spent working. With increased reliance on devices and cloud storage, we must sit up and take note of common internet mistakes, especially since they can be making you vulnerable to online threats. Relying on public WiFi You would be hard-pressed to find more than a handful of people that do not love the idea of free WiFi. The caveat in being connected to a public WiFi is that you might expose yourself to unsafe surfing practices. Especially if you are trying to make the most of the WiFi connection available at airports and cafes and using it to access sensitive or personal data, you could end up with a malicious threat planted in your devices without you even realizing it. Reusing password It is easy to find people who prefer using the same password across various platforms, irrespective of its strength. This can mainly be attributed to the person’s desire to avoid confusion and the task of remembering different passwords for different platforms.

A company or a brand requires its official website. If one wants their business to succeed, one needs a well-functioning website to help expand their business. Moreover, the website’s design also plays a major role in attracting the right customers. So, if one makes mistakes while designing their website, it can easily derail even the best of their efforts. Furthermore, these mistakes can make the company lose credibility and even its customer base. Top 4 website designing mistakes to avoid Skipping intuitive navigation and accessibility Brainstorming, sitemap, and wireframing are essential steps that should not be skipped. Furthermore, a poor navigation layout can also create problems. It can drive away visitors and create problems in the expansion of business. As a website needs multiple pages, arranging their categories appropriately is suggested, enabling the visitors to navigate the website easily. Not having a clear call to action Visitors need clear instructions to guide them through the website when they visit the website. A clear call to action keeps the visitors focused. Further, a good call to action uses compelling words or phrases to prompt the action. Also, one must ensure that the language is clear, succinct, and simple. Not having a design-thinking approach A common mistake designers make is not realizing the importance of design thinking and putting it down on paper.

Being disconnected from the online world for even a few minutes doesn’t feel right, does it? It’s probably because we perform most of our tasks using our gadgets connected to the internet. This includes shopping, connecting with friends on social media, performing banking transactions, browsing videos on YouTube, and even planning, executing, and reviewing work projects. Ensure you avoid these critical internet usages mistakes the next time you go online. Not using an updated browser Browser updates secure your connection from phishing and spyware, so never use a browser that hasn’t been updated with the latest protocols. Not using a VPN Virtual private networks mask your computer’s IP address on unsecured and public Wi-Fi connections. It prevents hackers from unauthorized access. Recycling your passwords Hackers don’t have to try too hard if you recycle your passwords or use iterations that are easy to crack. Never repeat a password or create weak ones that anybody can guess. Opening unverified links Never click on suspicious links or redirects, as it can expose your computer system to spyware and ransomware attacks. Using multiple tabs Don’t open more than a few tabs on your browser unless absolutely necessary. Multiple tabs can slow down your computing system by drawing more memory and power.

For most purposes, mobile phones have made cameras, clocks, computers, and many devices redundant. With their ever-expanding capabilities, mobile phones today have also become increasingly vulnerable to online threats like nasty, damaging cyber-attacks and data pilfering. As per a 2022 study, mobile phones face more than 60 percent of digital fraud via stolen passwords and phishing attacks. To stay clear of these, one needs to avoid making some of the following mistakes: Installing fake apps on smartphones Scammers can create apps that look legit but are just viruses or other threats disguised as actual mobile applications. To avoid this threat, one needs to complete software and security updates regularly, provide personal information only if it is necessary, check customer reviews for any app before installing it on their phone, and verify applications they want to download from the app store for duplicates. Fake apps are among the most common smartphone threats, and taking these simple precautions can prevent a person from exposing themselves to a cyber-attack or another kind of online fraud. Not being careful during online shopping Most people choose eCommerce apps on their phones to make purchases. However, online shopping sites can contain threats too. For example, an individual may fall into the trap of giving away their card details to scammers via the aforementioned fake or fraudulent shopping apps.

Choosing the correct internet service provider (ISP) can significantly impact a user’s browsing activities. There are over 2500 ISPs in the country, so it’s easy to make common mistakes that can result in poor service and dissatisfaction. Therefore, it is important to consider various aspects of ISPs to see which one meets one’s internet needs for both home and business. Avoid the common mistakes mentioned below for a smooth and reliable internet experience. Not researching internet providers Not all internet providers are suitable for one’s business or individual requirements. It is best to compare plans and prices, read customer reviews, and ask for recommendations that match one’s needs before signing up for any plans. Any unresolved online customer grievances can be a warning sign of a lack of customer support. One can also contact customer service to check for their operational hours and level of cooperation in providing details. Not understanding the bandwidth A common mistake most people make while choosing an internet provider is not evaluating one’s bandwidth needs. Connecting multiple devices, working on high-resolution files, or rendering may demand more bandwidth. However, if the internet needs are relatively low, one can save money by paying for an affordable package and then opting for a higher bandwidth later if required.

You probably don’t think much about your Wi-Fi speed until your favorite show stops streaming, your browser refuses to load, or you cannot load your social media posts. This can disrupt your work or ruin your entertainment experience. If this happens often, there are ways to increase Wi-Fi speed. If these tips still don’t work, you must contact your service provider and have a professional take a look. Here are a few things that you can do: Move your router to an open space Since it is a wireless connection, it is affected by various factors. There can be electronic interference from other devices. It is also possible that Wi-Fi signals are encountering obstacles. This can happen when you place your router inside cupboards, bookshelves, or thick decorative boxes. Even walls can act as obstacles. So, move your router to a place where there is minimal interference, and it is closer to all your devices. Ensure that settings are optimized The speed of your Wi-Fi can go down when multiple heavy-duty activities, such as streaming videos, playing online games, and attending video calls, are going on all at once. All of these will eat into the bandwidth, slowing down your Internet connection.