In this 1st Edition of Senior Week, at SPC we want to offer them practical tips and recommendations so they can make the most of all the benefits that the Internet and new technologies provide. And to help users less familiar with using the “network of networks” approach the digital world without fear, we have prepared these suggestions so they can have a safe immersion in the Internet. If you are one of those users, pay attention to what we have to tell you.
1.- Check that Play Protect is active: Smartphones that run on the Android operating system include this feature, which works like an antivirus and helps keep the device safe from possible malware. To do this, you need to make sure it is active from the Play Store. Just go into your profile options, and you will find Play Protect. Once in this submenu, you can check which options are active within it and whether any harmful apps have been found recently.
2.- Do not download files from unknown sources: Whenever you want to install new applications, do it from the Google store. The Play Store gives you the confidence that all the programs you download from here will be safe for your phone. Regarding downloads from websites, if it is not a completely trusted site, it is best to avoid that download. The same applies to file downloads that may come from an unknown person or company; it is always best not to download any attached files unless you are completely sure of their origin.
3.- Enable safe browsing in your smartphone’s browser: The most widely used browser is Google Chrome, so we will focus on it. It offers different levels of protection when browsing websites: no protection, standard protection, and enhanced protection. For safe browsing, make sure you have at least standard protection enabled from the “Privacy and Security” option in the browser settings. Once there, if you enter “Safe Browsing,” you can choose the desired level of security.
4.- Do not give bank details over the phone: Even if you receive a call saying it is your bank, you should not give your password, coordinate card, or any other data through an email, SMS, call, or WhatsApp message. Keep in mind that this information is confidential and your bank will never ask you for it. At most, they may ask for part of the numbers through Customer Service.
5.- Be careful with public networks: If you have connected to a public or open WiFi network, accessible to everyone, such as in a hotel or café, we recommend not performing private or sensitive actions on the Internet. We mean any action that may involve sharing personal data. These shared networks, which many people have access to, are much easier to hack.
