Safe Digital Life
Build healthy and secure digital habits for yourself and your family in an increasingly connected world.
Phishing Email Analyzer
Paste suspicious email content to check for phishing indicators
Creating a Safe Digital Environment
Living safely in the digital age requires developing good habits, understanding risks, and implementing protective measures across all aspects of your online life. This guide will help you and your family stay safe online.
Fundamental Digital Safety Principles
Think Before You Click
Always verify links and attachments before clicking, especially in emails or messages.
Protect Your Personal Information
Be cautious about what personal information you share online and with whom.
Use Strong Security
Implement strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and keep software updated.
Stay Informed
Keep up with current cyber threats and security best practices.
Safe Browsing Habits
Verify Website Security
Look for HTTPS and the padlock icon in your browser before entering sensitive information.
Use Private Browsing
Use incognito or private browsing mode when using shared or public computers.
Clear Your Browser Data
Regularly clear cookies, cache, and browsing history to protect your privacy.
Download Safely
Only download files from trusted sources and scan them with antivirus software.
Avoid Suspicious Websites
Be wary of websites with poor design, spelling errors, or too-good-to-be-true offers.
Digital Safety Guides
Safe Online Shopping Guide
Protect yourself from scams, fraud, and identity theft while shopping online.
Shop Safely →Social Media Safety Settings
Comprehensive guide to configuring privacy and security settings across all major platforms.
Secure Social Media →Phishing Prevention Hub
Learn to recognize, avoid, and report phishing attacks across email, text, and phone.
Prevent Phishing →Scam Detection Guide
Comprehensive guide to identifying and avoiding common online and offline scams.
Detect Scams →Secure Home Wi-Fi Setup
Complete guide to securing your home wireless network from hackers and unauthorized access.
Secure Wi-Fi →Children's Online Safety
Essential guide to protecting children from online dangers, predators, and inappropriate content.
Protect Kids →Elder Online Safety
Protecting seniors from scams, fraud, and digital dangers. Empowering safe technology use.
Protect Seniors →Email Safety Best Practices
Email remains one of the most common vectors for cyber attacks. Protect yourself with these practices:
- Never click links or download attachments from unknown senders
- Verify sender email addresses carefully, even if the name looks familiar
- Be suspicious of urgent requests for personal information or money
- Look for telltale signs of phishing like poor grammar or generic greetings
- Hover over links to preview the actual URL before clicking
- Use separate email addresses for different purposes (personal, work, shopping)
- Report phishing emails to your email provider
Social Media Safety
Manage Privacy Settings
Regularly review and update your privacy settings on all social media platforms.
Be Selective with Friend Requests
Only accept friend or connection requests from people you actually know.
Think Before Posting
Remember that anything posted online can be permanent and widely shared.
Avoid Oversharing
Don't share personal details like your address, phone number, or travel plans publicly.
Report Suspicious Activity
Report fake accounts, harassment, or suspicious behavior to platform administrators.
Online Shopping Security
Shop safely online by following these guidelines:
- Only shop on secure websites with HTTPS encryption
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection
- Consider using virtual credit card numbers for online purchases
- Check seller ratings and reviews before making purchases
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true
- Keep records of all online transactions
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly
- Use secure payment services like PayPal when available
Public Wi-Fi Safety
Use a VPN
Always use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks to encrypt your data.
Avoid Sensitive Transactions
Don't access banking or enter passwords on public Wi-Fi without VPN protection.
Disable Auto-Connect
Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections to prevent connecting to malicious networks.
Verify Network Names
Confirm the legitimate network name with staff before connecting to avoid evil twins.
Digital Safety for Families
Protecting your family online requires education, communication, and appropriate controls:
Open Communication
Talk regularly with family members about online experiences and potential dangers.
Set Clear Rules
Establish family rules about internet use, screen time, and acceptable online behavior.
Use Parental Controls
Implement age-appropriate parental controls and monitoring tools on devices.
Teach Critical Thinking
Help family members develop skills to identify scams, misinformation, and inappropriate content.
Lead by Example
Model good digital habits and security practices for younger family members.
Protecting Children Online
Special considerations for keeping children safe in digital spaces:
- Supervise young children's internet use and review their online activities
- Keep computers and devices in common areas when possible
- Teach children never to share personal information online
- Explain the permanence of online posts and digital footprints
- Educate about cyberbullying and encourage reporting inappropriate behavior
- Use age-appropriate content filters and restrictions
- Review and approve apps before allowing children to download them
- Teach children to come to you if something online makes them uncomfortable
Smart Device Security
IoT Device Protection
Change default passwords on smart home devices and keep firmware updated.
Voice Assistant Privacy
Review and delete voice recordings regularly and disable when not needed.
Smart TV Security
Disable cameras and microphones when not in use and review privacy settings.
Network Segmentation
Consider creating a separate network for IoT devices to isolate them from personal devices.
Digital Wellness
Digital safety also includes maintaining healthy relationships with technology:
- Set boundaries for screen time and device usage
- Take regular breaks from digital devices
- Create tech-free zones in your home
- Practice digital detoxes periodically
- Be mindful of how social media affects your mental health
- Develop offline hobbies and relationships
- Use apps and features that track and limit screen time
Creating Your Family Digital Safety Plan
Regular Security Reviews
Schedule quarterly family meetings to review and update digital safety practices.
Emergency Contacts
Ensure everyone knows who to contact if they encounter online threats or problems.
Backup Important Data
Regularly backup family photos, documents, and important files to multiple locations.
Stay Updated
Keep all family devices and software up to date with the latest security patches.
Additional Resources
For printable family digital safety checklists and guides, visit our Tools & Resources page.