In this post, we’ll like to inform you about possible fake links. We’ll also advise on where to get legit offers from MTN.

Most MTN subscribers were greeted with an SMS about free 5 minutes and 200MB data on Sunday morning. According to the company, as a way of saying thank you to their subscribers for 20 years of their presence in Nigeria, they are giving 5 minutes of free calls. They also offered 200MB worth of internet data. Both offers were valid for 24 hours.

MTN also announced giving out SUVs to a few selected lucky subscribers. This was announced on their official social media handles like on the MTN Nigeria Facebook page.

Unfortunately, some malicious people have jumped on the hype of MTN’s 20th anniversary to set up an online form which they use to trick unsuspecting internet users. The form collects personal data from people.

We will love to advise you to avoid filling any form online claiming to be for this promo. If you will love to speak with one of our volunteers, feel free to chat with us via https://safeonline.com.ng.

Finally, MTN Nigeria has also issued warnings to their customers concerning such forms too. They also stated channels where you can find legit info from the company.

Please stay safe online! Cheers!!!

The post Is MTN 20th Anniversary Promo Legit? appeared first on Online Informed and Safe - OIS.

So, let’s dive in.

What is HTTPS

HTTPS or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is a technical way of transferring data between a web server and a web browser. Unlike HTTP (without S), this protocol attempts to secure the data being transferred.

All the websites we visit are hosted on a server somewhere far away. In order for us to access a website, we use a web browser like Google Chrome or Firefox to send a request to the server. After the server receives our request, in the absence of any errors or restrictions it responds with the data your browser needs to display the site.

Why HTTPS is Helpful

When a browser sends requests to a web server, it also sends data along with the request. Take for example, when you are trying to pay for an order on an online store, the request that will be sent may contain your card details. Hence there is a need to secure the medium through which your request and data are sent.

Thanks to HTTPS, your requests can be secured. Hence, your data is encoded (encrypted) such that it can not be intercepted and read by any unauthorised parties.

In the early 2010s, you will find HTTPS on mostly financial websites, big social media sites and web application that see the security of data transfer on their platform as a priority. However, in recent times almost all websites out there use HTTPS. This is a good thing but also brings us to the point we will be discussing in the next section.

What HTTPS is Not

HTTPS is not a one-fix-for-all solution for internet applications security. It is required by today’s standard as web browsers will flag a website as NOT Secure if it still using the non-secure HTTP protocol. Here is a list of few things HTTPS is not:

1. It is not an authenticity verification tool: What I mean by this is, because a website has HTTPS doesn’t guarantee that is a website that you can trust. For example, it is possible for a malicious person or group to set up a website and add HTTPS to the site. If you go ahead to enter sensitive data like your card details on such sites you expose yourself to risk.

2. HTTPS does not make you invincible: In addition to HTTPS, make sure to verify that you are actually on the right website when carrying out transactions online. If it is possible, look for the official/verified social media handles of online companies to confirm their websites and offers before clicking on them.

3. HTTPS is not unhackable: If you are a website owner, it is worth knowing that only having HTTPS on your site is not enough t defend it from hackers. You and your web developer will need to put in extra work in addition to HTTPS to prevent hacking that may lead to the leak of sensitive user data.

Summing Up

We have learnt what HTTPS is and what it isn’t. Stay Safe and always verify links and online forms before clicking on them. If you have a question, you can reach us via the livechat session on our homepage. Cheers and Stay Safe.

The post Is HTTPS Really Secure: What SSL/HTTPS is And is Not appeared first on Online Informed and Safe - OIS.

Are Your Kids Online?

We live in a digital age with many children online. Kids do much fun and helpful thing online. Playing video games, learning via an app, streaming cartoons and other kids focused content are part of the activities kids do online. However, it is important that parents and other adults tasked with caring for a child ensure that they are safe online. Hence, we have come up with a list of 5 simple things you can do to keep your kids safe online.

1. Make your own family or institution internet rules that kids should follow.

Here, adults who care for kids should clarify what kids can do and can’t do on the internet. For example, communicate to kids that they can use the internet for educational purpose like doing homework. Set restriction on sites or contents that they can access based on international content rating standard and other related standards. You can work with you ISP to implement restriction on your entire network.

2. Internet should be accessed from a location or device that can be easily monitored.

If it is possible, let kids access the internet from a desktop that is located in the living-room or some common area where an adult can guide them. This will help with preventing kids from accessing harmful content.

3. Speak with Kids about the Dangers Online

Let kids know that just as the internet is a place with many fun and helpful resources, there are also harmful content and malicious users on the internet. Encourage them to avoid wondering off on the internet and to avoid communication with strangers online.

4. Teach Kids to never share personal details online

Kids should use screen names (nicknames) online. Caution them to never share personal details like home address, their current location, mobile number or full name anywhere on the internet. If they need to sign-up for a new platform, parents should assist with that.

5. Last but not the least, Kids should never agree to meet online friends in a physical location.

Warn your kids about the danger of meeting strangers from the internet offline. If they must do so, they should seek your approval first and have you watch them.

Other tips include cautioning your children to never trade pictures, videos or other media of themselves with anyone online or offline. In addition to that, kids should not respond to threatening messages or emails. You can learn more by clicking on this link.

Conclusion

Keeping a child safe online requires other efforts in addition to the tips we have listed above. We encourage parents to make deliberate and continuous efforts to help their kids get the best and safest content on the internet. Cheers and once more, Happy Children’s day.

The post Children’s Day 2021: Top 5 Safety Tips for Kids Online appeared first on Online Informed and Safe - OIS.