You’re heading into the Wild West every time you hop online, partner. With so many dangers lurking out there, you need to keep your hand close to your holster and your wits about you. We get it – you want to explore the boundless plains of the internet, but you also gotta watch your back. Let us provide some tips for increasing internet security to help you circle the wagons and avoid getting bit by snakes in the online desert. Protecting yourself on the internet starts with knowing where the quicksand traps are and steering clear of rattlesnakes disguised as friendly sites. We’ll walk you through how to lock up the bad neighborhoods and keep the outlaws from robbing your personal information. With a few precautions, you can still have an adventurous time out there on the web frontier. Saddle up and let’s hit the trail to safer internet travels.

How to Block Harmful Content

Visiting malicious websites can expose you to viruses, malware, and scams designed to steal your personal information. Phishing sites, for example,  pose as legitimate companies to trick you into entering login credentials,  credit card numbers, or account information. Once entered, the scammers gain access to your accounts and funds.  

Malware distribution is another common threat. Clicking links or downloads on shady sites can install  viruses, worms,  or spyware onto your computer. These malicious programs then spread to other devices on your network, steal data, lock you out of your computer, or gain control of your system.   

Even if a site looks harmless,  avoid clicking anything or entering information. Legitimate businesses don’t ask for sensitive data through pop-ups or unsolicited messages. When in doubt, do some research to verify the site’s authenticity before proceeding. If something feels off, it’s best to close the tab immediately.  

Using an ad blocker and keeping all software up to date provide an added layer of protection. However, the most effective way to avoid these threats is by exercising caution when browsing the web. Stick to reputable websites, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Your online security depends on the choices you make every time you go online.

FAQs About Internet Security

Blocking harmful or inappropriate websites is crucial for online safety. Here are a few easy ways to blacklist dangerous domains:

Use Your Router’s Settings 

Most routers allow you to block specific websites. Log into your router’s admin page and look for “Website Filtering” or “Blocked Domains”. Add the URLs of sites you want to block. This will prevent anyone on your network from accessing those pages.

Use a Parental Control App

Parental control apps like Norton Family, Kaspersky Safe Kids and McAfee WebAdvisor offer website blocking features. Once installed, you can add the domains of websites promoting violence, illegal activity or other inappropriate content to block them across devices. 

Enable Google SafeSearch

Google’s SafeSearch filter prevents explicit images and videos from appearing in Google search results. To enable it, open Google’s search settings, go to the “SafeSearch filters” section and select “Strict filtering”. This is an easy way to avoid undesirable search results for both yourself and any children using the device.  

Be Diligent and Stay Updated

As new harmful websites emerge, continue adding their domains to your block lists. It’s also a good idea to periodically check that any parental control apps or router settings are up to date and functioning properly. With some consistent effort, you can help keep yourself and your family safe from dangerous content online.

Staying secure on the internet requires vigilance, but blocking malicious websites is a straightforward step towards giving yourself greater peace of mind whenever you or your loved ones go online.