Staying Safe Online | Dexterity Systems

The internet connects us to family, banking, shopping, and information - but it also connects us to people who want to take advantage of us. The good news is that staying safe online doesn’t require technical expertise. It just requires knowing what to watch for.

This guide is a reference you can come back to anytime. Print it out, bookmark it, or share it with someone you care about.

Spotting Scam Messages

Scammers contact people through email, text messages, and phone calls. Here’s how to recognize them.

Red Flags to Watch For

Urgency or threats - “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!” or “You owe money and will be arrested.” Legitimate companies don’t threaten you.
Unexpected requests for money - Especially gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. No real company or government agency asks for payment in gift cards.
Requests for personal information - Your bank will never email you asking for your password or SIN.
Too good to be true - You didn’t win a lottery you never entered.
Strange sender addresses - An email claiming to be from Amazon but sent from “amazon-support@random-domain.xyz” is fake.
Generic greetings - “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name.
Poor spelling and grammar - Many scams originate overseas and contain obvious errors.

What To Do

Don’t click links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the company’s website by typing the address yourself.
Don’t call phone numbers in suspicious messages. Look up the real number on the company’s official website.
When in doubt, hang up and call back using a number you trust.

Fake Websites

Scammers create websites that look identical to real ones. Here’s how to check if a site is legitimate.

Before You Enter Any Information

Check the web address carefully - Scammers use addresses like “amaz0n.com” (with a zero) or “amazon-login-secure.com” instead of “amazon.com.”
Look for the padlock - A padlock icon in your browser’s address bar means the connection is encrypted. But remember: scam sites can have padlocks too. It’s necessary, not sufficient.
Search for the company - If you’re unsure, search for the company name on Google and go to their site from there.
Be suspicious of pop-ups - Real banking sites don’t bombard you with pop-ups asking for information.

When Shopping Online

Stick to well-known retailers or local businesses you recognize.
Be cautious of deals that seem impossibly cheap.
Use a credit card rather than a debit card - credit cards offer better fraud protection.

Password Safety

Your passwords are the keys to your digital life. Here’s how to keep them secure.

Creating Strong Passwords

Make them long - At least 12 characters. Longer is better.
Use a passphrase - A sentence is easier to remember than random characters. “My dog Rex loves his morning walk!” is a strong password.
Don’t reuse passwords - If one account gets breached, all your accounts are at risk.
Never share passwords - Not even with tech support. Real support staff don’t need your password.

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection. Even if someone steals your password, they can’t get in without the second factor - usually a code sent to your phone.

Enable it on important accounts - Email, banking, and social media at minimum.
Text messages work - While not perfect, SMS codes are much better than no 2FA at all.

Managing Multiple Passwords

Consider a password manager - These programs remember your passwords securely. You only need to remember one master password.
The best options are free - Bitwarden is completely free, open-source, and just as secure as paid alternatives. Because the code is open for anyone to inspect, security researchers can verify it actually does what it claims. You don’t need to pay for good security.
Write them down safely - If you prefer paper, keep your password list in a secure place - not stuck to your monitor.

For the curious: If you want complete control over your passwords, you can run your own password server at home using Vaultwarden - a self-hosted version compatible with Bitwarden apps. This is a more advanced setup, but it means your passwords never leave your own network. Ask us if you’d like help setting this up.

What To Do If Something Goes Wrong

If you think you’ve been scammed or your information has been compromised, take action quickly.

Immediate Steps

Change your passwords - Start with email, then banking, then other important accounts.
Contact your bank - If you shared financial information or sent money, call your bank immediately.
Report the scam - In Canada, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca.

If Your Computer Is Acting Strange

Don’t panic - Many problems aren’t scams, just technical issues.
Don’t call pop-up numbers - If a scary message appears with a phone number, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Bring it to us - We can check your computer for actual problems and remove anything malicious.

Remember

Being scammed doesn’t mean you’re foolish. These criminals are professionals who target millions of people.
It’s never too late to ask for help.
When something feels wrong, trust your instincts.

Quick Reference Checklist

Keep these points in mind:

Slow down - Scammers create urgency. Take your time.
Verify the source - Call the company directly using a number you trust.
Check web addresses - Look carefully before entering information.
Use strong, unique passwords - Different password for each account.
Enable two-factor authentication - Especially on email and banking.
Never pay with gift cards - No legitimate business asks for gift cards.
When in doubt, ask - A trusted friend, family member, or Dexterity Systems.

Resources

These Government of Canada websites offer reliable information on staying safe online:

Get Cyber Safe - Tips and tools to protect yourself, your family, and your devices online.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - Report scams and learn about current fraud trends. You can also call them at 1-888-495-8501.

Questions? Concerns? Bring your device to Dexterity Systems and we’ll help you sort it out. We’re here to help you stay safe and in control of your technology.