The Internet has become indispensable for today's generation. Young people are digital natives , growing up with the Internet and coming into contact with it every day.

We are also taking part in this year's Safer Internet Day 2023 again, although every day at Mimikama is a “Safer Internet Day” 🙂

What is Safer Internet Day? The international Safer Internet Day will take place for the 20th time on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 The motto this year was once again: “Safer Internet Day 2023: Together for a better internet”. The annual day of action is organized by the European Commission as part of the Safer Internet program. Over 100 countries around the world are taking part in Safer Internet Day to raise awareness about safe and responsible internet and mobile phone use.

What should you pay attention to online? What dangers and risks are there?

  1. Phishing: Attempting to steal sensitive information such as passwords, banking details, etc. by luring users to fake websites or tricking them into revealing sensitive information.
  2. Malware: Malicious software such as viruses, worms, Trojans, etc. that may affect the system or data.
  3. Cyberbullying: Harassment, threats, or stalking over the Internet.
  4. Cyber ​​grooming: Contacting children or young people on the Internet with the aim of enticing them to engage in sexual acts.
  5. Data Leaks: Accidental release of sensitive information that can lead to identity theft, data breaches, and financial loss.
  6. Scams: Fraud through dubious offers or claims that exploit or defraud the user.
  7. Online gaming addiction: Excessive use of online games that can lead to social, professional and health problems.
  8. Fakenews: False, misleading, or inaccurate information that spreads quickly and can cause chaos and confusion.
  9. Child pornography : Distribution of illegal and disgusting content on the Internet that affects children or young people.
  10. Cyberstalking: Following or threatening people over the Internet, often with the aim of causing anxiety or distress.
  11. Inappropriate Content: Access to inappropriate or dangerous content such as extremist material, violence, pornography, etc.
  12. Online shopping fraud: Fraud through dubious online retailers or counterfeit products.
  13. Social Media Addiction: Excessive use of social media that can lead to social, professional and health problems.
  14. Information Overload: Excessive amount of information that is difficult to process and can lead to stress and overload.
  15. Cyber ​​Terrorism: Using the Internet to spread fear, violence, or political messages.
  16. Online Identity Theft: Theft of a person's online identity by hackers or fraudsters, often with the aim of causing harm or financial gain.
  17. Cyber ​​Crime: Crimes committed over the Internet such as theft of bank details, online fraud, etc.
  18. Inappropriate online activities: Online activities that violate the law, such as file sharing of copyrighted material.
  19. Social Engineering: Manipulating people through forgery or deception to steal confidential information or cause harm.
  20. Online Addiction: Excessive use of the Internet, which can lead to social, professional and health problems.
  21. Online Reputation: Damage to online reputation caused by publishing inappropriate or false information about a person or company.
  22. Data Breaches: Violation of data protection through unauthorized use or disclosure of information.
  23. Adware and Spyware: Unwanted software that is installed on the computer without the user's knowledge and collects data or displays inappropriate advertisements.

Tips for Safer Internet Day 2023

  1. Use strong and unique passwords for all online accounts and change them regularly.
  2. Be careful with the personal information you share online and do not pass it on to strangers.
  3. Verify the authenticity of websites and emails before clicking on links or providing information.
  4. Use a firewall and update your antivirus software regularly to protect your computer from malware.
  5. Be alert to unusual requests, especially those that require urgent action.
  6. Avoid sharing sensitive information on social media, especially if you don't want to share that information publicly.
  7. Avoid sharing photos or information that you might regret later.
  8. Use the privacy features of your social media profiles to control who can see your content.
  9. Learn about the different types of online dangers so you can recognize and avoid them.
  10. Regularly check your credit reports and bank accounts to ensure no unauthorized activity has occurred.
  11. Use secure networks when sending or receiving sensitive information.
  12. Be careful about online friend requests from strangers.
  13. Use strong security settings on your smartphone to protect your data.
  14. Avoid clicking on online advertisements that look unusual or suspicious.
  15. Regularly review your online activity to ensure that no unwanted changes have been made.
  16. Use additional security settings like two-factor authentication for important online accounts.
  17. Educate yourself about the dangers of online games and apps and teach children about safe behavior.
  18. Avoid responding to emails that ask you to provide your personal information.
  19. Be particularly careful when downloading files or apps from unknown sources.
  20. Avoid replying to spam emails or clicking on links.
  21. Check website privacy policies before disclosing personal information.
  22. Use a safe search engine to find online information.
  23. Be particularly careful when making online payments and check your bank and credit card records regularly.
  24. Use secure networks and connections when making online purchases.
  25. Keep checking your social media profile settings to make sure you're not sharing information unintentionally.
  26. Only use trusted and safe websites to shop online.
  27. Avoid sharing personal information such as social security numbers or financial information online.
  28. Stay informed about the latest cyber threats and regularly check your online security settings.
  29. Use strong and unique passwords for all online accounts and do not store them on your computer or smartphone.
  30. Find out about the dangers of phishing and cyberbullying and teach children how to stay safe online.
  31. Regularly check app permissions and deny unwanted access to your data.
  32. Avoid sharing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi networks.
  33. Check website URLs before clicking on links to make sure they are trustworthy.
  34. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you need to share sensitive information.
  35. Find out about rights and freedoms in the online space and how you can protect them.
  36. Be particularly careful about online friend requests from unknown people.
  37. Use antiphishing extensions for your browser to protect yourself from phishing attacks.

This was a comprehensive list of risks and dangers on the Internet. However, it is important to note that new threats and risks can arise on the Internet all the time, and it is therefore important to regularly stay informed about the latest threats and protection measures.

Also read: Young people in the fake news dilemma

Here are 10 tips on how to protect yourself against fake news

  1. Check the source: Make sure the message comes from a reputable and trustworthy source.
  2. Check the facts: Compare the message to other sources and check the facts to make sure they are accurate.
  3. Check the date: Make sure the message is current and not out of date.
  4. Check the photos and videos: Make sure they are not manipulated or fake.
  5. Check the headline: Check whether the headline is correct and appropriate and not exaggerated or false.
  6. Check with fact checkers. (Listing at the end of the article)
  7. Avoid emotions: Avoid reacting emotionally to news before checking the facts.
  8. Use critical sense: Check whether the message is plausible and logical.
  9. Get information from different sources: Compare news from different sources to get a more complete picture.
  10. Share Responsibly: Don't share news without ensuring it's true and reliable. Instead, inform others that the message needs to be reviewed before sharing.

List of German-speaking fact checkers

Fact checkers are organizations or initiatives that have made it their mission to uncover fake news and correct it with facts . A team of independent journalists checks questionable news, images, websites or videos for their truthfulness and shows which statements or information are incorrect or taken out of context.

In addition to us , there are the following fact checkers:

Brochure “Fact or Fake?”

Brochure “Fact or Fake?” for Safer Internet Day 2023
Brochure “Fact or Fake?” for Safer Internet Day 2023

Published on the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2023, this brochure: “True or False” is intended to help Internet users unmask fake news as such. Specifically, the brochure deals with the following topics:

  • Hoaxes
  • edited images
  • Deepfakes

The brochure explains how false reports work and, for example, use keywords such as “shocking” and “scandal”, times such as “yesterday” or “last Wednesday” or alleged sources such as “a former employee” to try to attract readers’ attention: to obtain inside. In short and compact tips, ISPA shows ways in which users can question the accuracy of online reports. For example, the question of whether images have been taken out of context or whether older images have been recycled can be quickly resolved using the reverse image search. Image metadata can also be queried, which provides information about the origin and time when an image was taken. So-called “hoax” databases document and expose false news; a look at one can, for example, reveal a report as a recycled hoax.

▶ Download: (PDF) “Fact or fake?
Hoaxes, edit images and deepfakes on the Internet” (440.3 KB) #SID2023AT, #SID2023, #SaferInternetDay
Sign up for the Mimikama newsletter

Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )