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Porn addiction can be a tough habit to break, as many people who have a porn problem struggle to openly admit it.

How to Talk to Someone About Their Addiction

First and foremost, do not judge them. When some people find out that a friend or family member is a porn addict, they tend to respond with surprise, followed by disgust, disappointment, or shame. This type of reaction is exactly why many people who suffer from porn addiction don’t tell anyone. They fear being judged or rejected by the people in their lives, so they deny having a problem at all to hold onto a sense of dignity.

If you want to help them though, you need to set aside your judgments, confront them on the matter (gently), and hear them out. Remember that above all else, what someone dealing with porn addiction needs is love and compassion. Also, don’t make assumptions regarding the when, where, why, and how of their porn problem. If you start looking up information on porn addiction, you’ll probably find a lot of heartbreaking stories and worst-case scenarios, which can make us fearful and suspicious. But you’re better off letting them explain themselves rather than throwing out “what if” scenarios.

Once you have cleared the air and talked about their problem, it is time to discuss how to go forward. There are many different plans and strategies for recovering from porn addiction and not all of them will be a perfect fit, but they need to start considering their options. Ask your loved one to do some research for a porn addiction recovery plan or do it yourself if they don’t seem up to it.

While not everyone needs to attend a recovery program, at the very least they should select someone to serve as an accountability partner. This is someone who can hold them accountable for their behaviors, encourage them, and be willing to problem solve with them when they need help. You’re loved one might want you to be their accountability partner or they might want to go with someone else (it is preferable that the partner is of the same sex and doesn’t struggle with the same sexual behavior), but either way, you should offer your support and encouragement going forward.

Remember To Follow Up

After having your first discussion with your loved ones about their experiences with pornography, it is critical to follow up over time to see how they are doing. Even if you aren’t going to serve as their accountability partner, you still need to work with them and make sure they are still on the road to recovery. Many assume (or perhaps) hope that once someone’s porn problem is out in the open, that the hardest part is over. Why would they keep it up after the initial embarrassment? But porn addiction is a compulsive behavior that can take a long time to stamp out completely.

Talking about it is going to be awkward, so you should avoid having this conversation in public or around other people, especially those who don’t already know about the porn problem. Consider bringing it up in the car when you’re alone with them. Just not having to make direct eye contact can be a huge relief. Most importantly, stress that you’re always available to talk and that you’re willing to help however you can.

Combine Talk With Tools

If your loved one is struggling with giving up porn addiction or if they’re worried about succumbing to old habits, consider recommending internet filtering software like Clean Internet. This type of software is designed to block out unwanted online content, safeguarding against the temptation of pornography . This extra set of online safeguards adds that additional layer of accountability that makes recovery a more realistic prospect. All they need then is a supportive hand to help them through the journey.

The post Compassion & Recovery: How to Help a Recovering Porn Addict appeared first on CleanInternet®.

This is how many people feel when they realize that they have a problem with pornography. What might have seemed harmless to them at first becomes an obsession that eats up their time and money while putting distance between them and their loved ones. And yet while they realize the sorry state they are in, they refuse to openly admit to having a problem.

Why Do People Have Trouble Talking About It?

Why? Maybe it was due to guilt, shame, or fear of being found out. The idea of being addicted to porn sounds unseemly, reflecting poorly on them, so they don’t want people to know about it. They might worry that if they admit to having a porn problem that they’ll be judged harshly by their peers. Others might feel that their addiction makes them unworthy of help, unworthy of even God’s love. But whatever the reason, the result is the same: their addiction becomes a secret shame, leaving them suffering in silence.

But porn addiction is (sadly) not a rare occurrence. It isn’t an anomaly that makes you stand out from the rest of the world. Roughly 200,000 Americans have been classified as “porn addicts” and 4 million American people regularly visit porn websites. Porn is a problem that a lot of people struggle with and that’s been the case for a long time. This might not necessarily be a good thing, but it does stress a very important fact: if you’re struggling with porn addiction, you are not alone.

Find the Support That You Need

In recent years, discussions surrounding porn addiction have reached the mainstream. Recent data shows that there are around 200,000 Americans are considered “porn addicts” and 40 million American people regularly visit porn sites. We’ve also seen several high-profile celebrities such as Terry Crews and Tiger Woods have admitted to struggling with porn addiction, speaking out on how it damaged their personal relationships. Granted, there is still a lot of debate surrounding porn addiction: many point out that it isn’t an official diagnosis recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), with some arguing that obsessive porn usage is a coping mechanism for depression, anxiety, and certain types of traumas rather than being an addiction itself. Yet while the consensus might be in limbo, there is little doubt that pornography can be physically, psychologically, and spiritually harmful.

With people becoming more aware of the dangers of porn addiction, talking about it has become less taboo, which makes it easier to find some much-needed help. Which is the key to overcoming porn addiction: finding support in others. Family members who know that something is wrong can offer their support, therapists can offer guidance on how to curb unhealthy behaviors, and your local priest can offer spiritual counsel. There are also hotlines and support groups for people dealing with porn addiction, and not to mention tools like Clean Internet that can help people struggling with porn addiction remain accountable and honest.

Porn addiction can make you feel trapped and helpless, disinterested in your daily life, and isolated from the people you love. But opening up about your experiences is the first step to making real change. Porn addiction is a very real problem in our society, but you aren’t the only one working to overcome it. Just remember that, when times are tough, you are not alone.

The post Confronting Porn Addiction: The Struggle Is Real… You Are Not Alone appeared first on CleanInternet®.

This is certainly the case with porn addiction: research has shown that pornography actually rewires the brain to a more juvenile state. It can erode the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions such as morality, willpower, and impulse control. This means that once porn has become a habit, it is difficult to break away from it.

Rebuilding your self-control after a lengthy stretch of time dealing with porn addiction can be a challenge, but it is possible! It simply requires you to be honest with yourself and willing to put in the work necessary to change.

Recovery Takes Time

If porn addiction could be beaten just by saying that you’ll stop watching porn, then there wouldn’t be any porn addicts. While everyone’s situation is unique, one thing is certain: if you have a serious porn addiction problem, you aren’t going to conquer it in a week or a month. Some people struggle for years to fully undo all of the changes that porn has done to their brains. This means that if you’re serious about quitting porn, you need to be in for the long haul.

Going into the recovery process with unrealistic ideas about how long it will take can cause you to become disheartened when things inevitably don’t go your way. This can lead one to abandon recovery and retreat back to their addiction. You didn’t develop a porn problem in one day and you won’t overcome your problem in a day either.

Porn Addiction Isn’t Your Only Problem

It might be hard to accept, but the fact is that if you’re struggling with porn addiction, you definitely have other problems to deal with too. Porn addiction is never just about “watching too much porn,” it is a litany of issues that pile on top of someone, weighing them down. People suffering from porn addiction often deal with depression, low self-esteem, and self-hatred, not to mention potential issues like erectile dysfunction, internet addiction, and a loss of interest in actual sex.

Simply put, porn addiction cannot be solved by stopping your porn use alone. All the problems associated with it must be identified and worked on together. Recognizing the various issues that compound and build on each other that drive that addiction makes it easier to address them.

You Aren’t Alone

Perhaps the most important thing to remember as you work to rebuild your self-discipline is that you aren’t alone in this endeavor. Around 200,000 Americans are considered “porn addicts” and 40 million American people regularly visit porn sites. Yet many are afraid to discuss any of this: one of the biggest reasons porn addiction has become such a problem over time is that many people feel embarrassed or ashamed of their behavior. When you can’t even admit that you have a problem, it is hard to find the support and guidance needed to succeed.

With people becoming more aware of the dangers of porn addiction, talking about it has become less taboo, which makes it easier to find some much-needed help. There are hotlines and support groups for people dealing with porn addiction, and several high-profile celebrities such as Terry Crews and Tiger Woods have admitted to struggling with porn addiction, speaking out on how it damaged their personal relationships.

This doesn’t necessarily make it easy to talk about, but it shows that porn addiction isn’t an isolated incident, it is something that many are aware of and struggle with. While your goal should be to build up your self-control and self-discipline to the point where you can beat your addiction and live a healthier life, having someone you can talk to about your problem and your progress can help to keep you accountable and offer support when times get tough.

Ultimately, the key to rebuilding your self-control and dealing with your addiction is to get help. Seeking support from loved ones, therapy, and potentially medical advice is all part of recovery. It will take time, it won’t be easy, but the sooner you begin the road to recovery, the sooner you can begin healing the damage done to your mind, and your life.

The post Porn Addiction & Self-Control: Tips For Taking Control appeared first on CleanInternet®.

Thus, we have the password dilemma. Is it appropriate to insist that you know your child’s passwords, or is it an invasion of their privacy? It’s a tough question: for some parents, safety iso important than knowing their children’s passwords is non-negotiable, while others may focus more on teaching them independence and the ability to self-manage. There is no single “right” answer, but if you decide that you need to know your kids’ passwords (and there are plenty of reasons to), then you need to take a balanced approach, otherwise you run the risk of making matters worse.

In Favor of Knowing Their Passwords

For younger children, the reasons for parents keeping track of their passwords are as much about practicality as they are safe. Young kids aren’t going to remember long and complex passwords and might not fully understand the log-in process, especially if you factor in things like confirmation emails or two-factor notifications. Additionally, if they are still just starting to use websites like YouTube, then it might just be easier for parents to log them in and out as needed anyway. Even McAfee Cyber Safety Ambassador Alex Merton-McCann has previously stated that parents should at least know their kids’ passwords until they are around 10 years of age.

From there, it gets more complicated. As they get older, it might still be necessary for parents to know their children’s passwords on the regular, especially if they have yet to prove that they can be fully trusted online. If a parent wants to give their child a bit more freedom, they can compromise by having them write their passwords down and placing them in a sealed envelope. That way if there is an online issue, you can access the account without issue.

A Few Words of Caution

While it is generally a good idea for parents to know their children’s passwords, is important to be open with your child about the level of access that you have. Kids can bristle at the idea that their accounts aren’t really THEIRS and might start showing resentment if they feel their parents have overstepped their bounds. Of course, older kids and teenagers are also more likely to run into issues like cyberbullying and sexual predators, so it is important to keep an eye on things until you are sure they can handle these types of issues on their own.

However, good intentions can quickly lead to problems if you push your authority too hard. Checking in on your children’s activities is one thing, but you should avoid “spying” on their accounts or giving into unhealthy curiosity. For instance, it’s fine to see who they’ve been chatting with, but once it’s clear that they’ve only been messaging friends that you know about, there is no reason to continue reading the messages or delve into the chats.

If you become too invasive, kids won’t want you to have access to any of their accounts, leading them to change their passwords, block you on social media, or create a new account that you don’t know about. This in turn might lead some parents to take a “hardline” approach and confiscate their devices if they aren’t willing to share, but this type of aggressive, parent vs. child conflict ultimately does nothing for your efforts to protect your children.

Working With Them, Not Against Them

Whether you decide that you need to know your child’s online passwords or not, the best option is to work together with your child to keep them safe and develop their sense of responsibility. Have regular check-ins, review their privacy settings, see who their online friends are, and take an interest in their online activities. It is much easier to keep your children safe if they are happy and willing to cooperate with you, so do what you can to make online safety not just your responsibility, but a family effort!

The post Privacy & Security: The Importance of Knowing Your Kids’ Passwords appeared first on CleanInternet®.

So whether a parent looking to keep your kids safe or an employer keeping employees away from distracting and not-safe-for-work materials, it is important to know your options and how they compare.

What Are Pop-Up Blockers?

A pop-up blocker is a type of software designed to tackle pop-ups when using the Internet. Pop-ups refer to when a website causes a small window to appear in front of your browser, separate from the website you are currently on. Though some sites use pop-ups as a form of navigation or for other unique features, they are most often used as invasive advertisements that are annoying at best and havens for viruses and malware at worst. As such, most modern web browsers now have pop-up blockers built into them by default, both for convenience and safety.

What Are Internet Filters?

An internet filter is a type of software that restricts or controls the content a user is capable of accessing online, whether via the web, email, or other means. Filters can be implemented in many different ways, including software downloaded on a computer or internet-capable device, via DNS or proxy servers, and firewalls that provide Internet access. Since no method is fool-proof, companies often use a mix of various options to get the desired amount of control.

Comparing & Contrasting – Pop-Up Blocking and Internet Filtering

On the one hand, there are some clear comparisons to be made between pop-blockers and internet filters: both are a type of software designed to protect users from unwanted online content by limiting access to them. They are both valuable cybersecurity tools as they eliminate even the possibility of accidentally downloading malware, making them convenient and useful for business professionals and parents alike. Some internet filtering options even have pop-up blocking as a feature.

Yet despite the similarities, saying that internet filters and pop-up blockers are the same couldn’t be further from the truth. For one, how they are implemented tends to be quite different. Most pop-up blockers are either built into web browsers or are third-party add-ons that you have to download. Some internet filters also operate like this, but others are instead set up in the network router itself rather than being on any single device. This allows you to apply the same filtering settings across an entire business or household, while also making it tougher for some to disable the filter without your permission.

But the most obvious difference between an internet filter and a pop-up blocker is scope: pop-up blockers are only focused on blocking a specific type of content, so while will keep you from being bombarded by annoying pop-ups and protect you from certain cyber-scams, a proper internet filter is far more robust and covers a much broader range of internet content than any pop-up blocker can. Along with not being limited to just blocking pop-ups, internet filters have the benefit of allowing users to tailor it to their exact needs. Not only can they block specific websites, but internet filtering can also be used to target and limit access to certain types of content, such as pornography, violent media, or controversial political and religious content.

Which Is The Best Option?

That’s the good thing: you don’t really NEED to choose between internet filtering and pop-up blocking. Most modern web browsers have a pop-up blocker built-in for free, as do some internet filtering solutions. The two are also unlikely to interfere with one another, so you can freely choose whichever options best serve your needs. Pop-up blocking is a useful part of any internet security solution, while internet filters (like Clean Internet) provide an even greater layer of security that’s ideal for organizations or families that want to keep out inappropriate and unwanted online content.

The post Pop-Up Blockers vs. Internet Filters: What’s the Difference? appeared first on CleanInternet®.

What Are Pop-Ups?

The term “pop-ups” refers to a practice where a website will cause a small window to suddenly appear (“popping up”) in front of your browser, separate from the actual webpage that you’re looking at. It is typically used as a form of advertising, with the pop-ups beckoning the user to visit other websites, buy products, or play games. They first started appearing in the late 1990s, with programmer Ethan Zuckerman claiming to have developed the idea so that advertisements wouldn’t be directly associated with the content found on a webpage (especially pages with sexual content). However, over time, pop-ups became a nuisance, with programmers making them increasingly noisy, invasive, and difficult to get rid of. Additionally, many cybercriminals use pop-up ads as a way to spread viruses and other types of malware, either by creating fake ads or infecting legitimate ones. Even Zuckerman himself has gone on record to apologize for the bother that pop-up ads have caused, claiming: “I’m sorry. Our intentions were good.”

What Are Pop-Up Blockers?

As the name would imply, pop-up blockers are software tools designed to block pop-up ads completely, preventing them from even appearing on screen. Many popular web browsers started including built-in pop-up blockers by the early-to-mid 2000s, eventually becoming standard in nearly all browsers to date. There is also third-party ad blocker software that can be downloaded as extensions or apps, such as AdBlock Plus and uBlock Origin, which block pop-ups and other types of invasive ads. It is generally a good idea to keep at least some level of pop-up blocking active on your browser, both because it’s more convenient and because it helps keep your computer or other internet-ready devices safe.

Why You Sometimes Need to Disable Pop-Up Blocking

With most pop-ups either being unwanted ads or malware, there doesn’t seem to be much reason to disable pop-up blocking. However, some websites use pop-ups as an essential part of site navigation. For instance, some might use it as part of the log-in process or help you sign for a website’s newsletter. Others have customer features tied to pop-ups, such as the ability to pull up additional information without navigating away from a specific page. Either way, some sites simply won’t work properly without pop-ups, so you need to know how to disable them if such a situation arises.

Thankfully, the process is fairly easy and tends to be pretty similar across various different browsers. Still, each one does have its own quirks, so it pays to know how each of the major browsers handles disabling the pop-up blocker.

Microsoft Edge

• Go to “Settings and more”
• Select “Settings”
• Select “Site permissions”
• Select “Pop-ups and redirects”
• To disable the pop-up blocker, move the Block toggle to “On”

Mozilla Firefox

• Select the Firefox menu button (found in the upper-right corner of the browser, indicated by three horizontal bars)
• Select “Options”
• Select the “Privacy and Security” tab
• To disable the pop-up blocker, uncheck the “Block pop-up windows” box below “Permissions”
• To allow specific pop-ups, click “Exceptions” and enter the URL(s)
• Close the window
• Click OK

Google Chrome

• Click the Chrome menu button (found in the upper-right corner of the browser, indicated by three dots)
• Select “Settings”
• Select “Privacy and security”
• Select “Site Settings”
• Under “Content,” select “Pop-ups and redirects”
• From here, you can switch the pop-up blocker on and off, as well as allow specific sites to send pop-ups

Apple Safari

• From the Safari menu, select “Preferences”
• Click “Websites” at the top of the window
• Select “Pop-up Windows”
• To disable the pop-up blocker, select “Allow” next to “When visiting other websites”
• To allow specific pop-ups, navigate to the web page, follow steps 1-3 and then select “Allow” next to the name of the site

Along with knowing how to disable it when necessary, you should also know some basic tips to follow if your pop-up blocker isn’t working correctly. Some common options include:

• Make sure that your browser is up to date. An outdated browser can have issues that prevent the pop-up blocker from working correctly.
• Try clearing your browser cache or blocking third-party Both can potentially affect your browser’s pop-up blocker.
• Disable your extensions or browser apps. Sometimes these get in the way of the pop-up blocker. Disable all of them, check to see if pop-ups are being blocked. If they are, re-enable them one at a time to determine which one is causing the problem.

A pop-up blocker is a useful online security tool that makes the Internet safer and more convenient to navigate. By knowing how it works (and how to disable it when necessary), you can make your online experience that much better.

The post Shutting Down ‘In Your Face’ Advertising: What Is a Pop-Up Blocker? appeared first on CleanInternet®.

One of the biggest problems with porn addiction is that, like most forms of addiction, people often don’t realize that they have porn problems until they’ve been “using” for a long time. First-time users often get a lot of enjoyment and don’t see much in the way of negative repercussions. However, over time, people go from casual viewers to regular viewers, and then from regular viewers to obsessives. By this point, porn usage becomes such a natural part of your daily life that you often don’t even recognize how unnatural your behavior is.

Are you worried that you or someone you know might have a porn problem? Look out for these common signs.

• Inability to stop watching

The most obvious sign. Some people become so addicted to pornography that they couldn’t go a day without viewing some, even if they wanted to. It becomes less of a “want” and more of a physical or psychological “need” that they fulfill.

• Lost time

When someone is addicted to porn, they can wind up spending long periods of time doing nothing by watching, sometimes for hours. This can result in them wasting their day without accomplishing anything, which leads to conflicts both at home and at work.

• Lack of interest in sex

It might seem counterintuitive, but when someone becomes addicted to porn, they actually lose interest in real sex. Pornography often depicts sex in an exaggerated and idealized way, which can leave addicts feeling let down by the real thing. This can result in them developing unrealistic ideas about sex, finding their partner less attractive, and becoming emotionally distant when they try to engage with them sexually.

• Erectile dysfunction

Even if porn addict is interested in having sexual relations with their partner, sometimes they physically can’t. Porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) is a relatively new diagnosis for erectile dysfunction that specifically refers to cases where men have trouble maintaining erections due to heavy porn use.

• Signs of depression and other mental health issues

The pleasure people feel when watching porn mostly comes from dopamine being released by the neurotransmitters in their brain. This pleasure is short-lived though and eventually falls to the wayside, often leaving people with symptoms that are typically associated with depression: fatigue, lack of focus, brain fog, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, feelings of isolation, etc.

• Anger and frustration

Like any addiction, someone suffering from porn addiction will become easily irritable if they go without porn. They may have less patience in their daily lives, especially if they see certain activities as something delaying them from watching more porn. They can become irritable, more demanding, or even erratic in their behavior.

Be aware that just because someone’s viewed or even enjoys porn doesn’t automatically mean they are addicted. But despite what many have claimed, porn viewing isn’t harmless. It can easily lead to relationship issues, low self-esteem, and compulsive behavior. Recognizing the potential harm can help you avoid going down that path.

Yet even if you are currently struggling with porn addiction, don’t despair. Recognizing it is the first step towards recovery! It might not be easy, but there are many resources out there for you, from porn addiction hotlines like SAMHSA National Helpline and Sex Addicts Anonymous to internet filtering software like Clean Internet.

Remember, no matter who you are, you can quit porn.

The post Recognizing Porn Addiction: Knowing When You Have a Problem appeared first on CleanInternet®.

All of this can make it hard to know for sure if a source is trustworthy. Whether you’re a teenager writing a report or an adult looking to better understand current events, it is important to know if the sources you’re looking at are credible or not. After all, you can’t form a strong argument based on falsehoods. So here are some helpful tips for evaluating online sources and figuring out if they are credible.

What To Look For

There are a few major factors that come into play when determining if an online source is credible. These include:

• Author: Be wary of any resource that doesn’t list an author. If someone is willing to put their name to the information provided, it means that they stand by it. Knowing the author also allows you do some research and determine if they are some who can be trusted.
• Date: Most online resources will include the date that the content was uploaded, or at least the last time that it was updated. While some information remains valuable long after its written, the rule of thumb is that the more recently something was written, the better. This is especially true in fields like science where things are constantly changing and being updated.
• Domain: Web domains like “.com,” “.net,” and “.org” can be purchased and used by anybody. However, the domain .edu is reserved for colleges and universities, while “.gov” denotes a government website. These are usually trustworthy sources, though sometimes a university with granted a “.edu” address to its students for personal use.
• Sources Cited: With an academic article, authors are expected to cite specific sources that were used in the creation of their work. It isn’t always necessary to do the same in non-academic settings, but listing your sources goes a long way towards establishing credibility, as it shows that research was done.
• Website Design: This is highly subjective, but a well-designed website can potentially be an indicator that the information featured is more trustworthy. If the website looks hastily slapped together, it suggests that the author is an amateur rather than a professional.

At the very least, before you cite something in a report or post about it online, you should check to see who the author is, what website they are posted on, and when the source was written or updated. Also, always read beyond the title: internet articles often use misleading or inflammatory titles in order to get people to click on them, so make sure that the source says what you think to say before sharing it.

What To Avoid

There are certain types of websites that you should avoid when looking up a topic online.

• Wikipedia: Though incredibly convenient, Wikipedia is not allowed as an academic source and should never be treated as a primary source. It can be a useful way to start doing research on something, but it should never be the endpoint. Most good Wikipedia articles do have links to sources cited however, so consider investigating them if you want something more substantial.
• Blogs: Unless you’re studying a specific topic and the author is relevant to the field, you should avoid using blogs as definitive sources. Blogs are generally the domain of opinions, not facts.
• The Onion & Other Parody Sites: The Onion is a popular parody website that mainly posts fictional and often comedic news stories. However, it has often been accidentally cited by journalists and other professionals who didn’t realize it wasn’t a legitimate news source.
• Question & Answer Sites: Websites like Quora, Answers.com, and Fluther allow users to submit questions or answer those left by others. These websites rarely list authors and have no way to confirm that the answers given are credible. These sites can be useful for simple, practical purposes, but not for understanding more complex topics.

What You Should Keep In Mind

Keep in mind that even if a source is credible, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s without bias. While there are few truly objective sources, some are more biased than others. Things like the author’s organizational affiliation, political alignments, family life, and more are all potential sources of bias and should be considered when looking at something. Additionally, double-check any information you find against what other sites are saying, especially with recent news.

Most importantly though, use your common sense. Does the content of what someone is saying sound reasonable? Does it seem like it’s coming from a place of good faith? So long as you’re aware of the misinformation that’s out there and takes the proper steps to avoid it, you can better ensure that you’re properly informed about what’s going on in the world today.

The post Believe It Or Not: Identifying Credible Online Sources appeared first on CleanInternet®.

This can allow for new and convenient solutions to old problems, but it also creates new potential points of entry for cybercrime. The more internet-capable devices you have in your household, the more opportunities you create for hackers to gain access to your personal information. However, modern cybersecurity has evolved along with the devices we use, so it is possible to protect all of them from potential harm.

But what devices need specific protection, and which can be better served through more general solutions?

Computers & Laptops

For a lot of people, their computer or laptop is their primary way of connecting to the internet, so they should usually be the starting point for protecting your home network. First of all, make sure that you have a firewall set up. Windows and macOS have built-in firewalls, so you’re already covered there. You should also invest in reputable cyber security and anti-virus software for all of your major devices. Use should also use a trusted VPN, which helps to secure the data transmitted on your home or public Wi-Fi. Finally, if you’re concerned about access to inappropriate content, online filtering software like Clean Internet can do the job.

Smart Phones & Tablets

These days nearly everyone has a mobile device of some kind, to the point where many people don’t even have designated computers anymore. This means that mobile devices are just as important when it comes to cybersecurity. Obviously, you should still invest in anti-virus software if your device doesn’t have some form of protection already. Beyond that, you should also be wary of downloading apps outside of the official app store, as they can potentially be riddled with malware. Lastly, be careful about logging into public Wi-Fi while out and about: open Wi-Fi is often an open invite for cybercriminals, so avoid using it without a VPN, especially if you’re using an app that requires you to enter personal information, such as Amazon or your bank’s app.

Other Devices

With the rise of the Internet of Things, some people have dozens of internet-capable devices in their homes right now, including TVs, printers, game consoles, and internet-enabled appliances. Some of these do have designated anti-virus programs, but many of them don’t need their own individual cybersecurity suite in order to stay protected, though there are certain steps you can take to stay protected.

• Check for Updates: People often forget to update smart TVs and other IoT devices, but system updates often bring valuable security fixes. Make sure to periodically check for software or firmware updates and install them right away.
• Use Strong Passwords & Two-Factor Identification: The simpler your password is, the easier it is for hackers to crack into your account. Try to use longer and more complex passwords, with different ones for every account if possible. Also, use two-factor identification whenever possible, just to make sure your account is safe even if someone figured out your password.
• Be Cautious of Shady Apps: Lots of apps ask for access to your device or your personal information. Sometimes this is reasonable, but other times it’s an obvious scam.
• Disable or Limit the Use of Cameras & Microphones: Many internet-capable devices have built-in webcams and microphones, with the latter being used for virtual assistants like Alexa. You can usually go into your settings to switch these off.
• Keep the Camera Covered: If a device has a camera and can’t be switched off, keep it covered when it’s not being used, as hackers will sometimes try to hack these devices to spy on people. Webcams typically come with a lens cover, but you can also use opaque black tape.
• Do Your Research Before You Buy: The main reason so many devices are becoming “smart” nowadays is that they can collect a lot of data. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you should know what types of data these devices collect, how it’s stored, and if it’s shared with third parties.

When everything is connected to the internet, you need to check everything to make sure you’re secure. After all, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so you can’t afford to leave even one device unsecured. So make the investment, take the time, and do your research. In the end, it will be worth it knowing that your home network is as secure as possible.

The post Protecting Your Network: What Devices Need Cybersecurity? appeared first on CleanInternet®.