Majority of internet users have the habit of opening on a Google Search window to get any information that they want. From basic food recipes to online banking and money transfer or even buying medicines, everything is just a Google search away. Having said that it is important to understand that Google doesn’t create this content. It is simply an online platform where you find websites that offer you the information that you need. So, everything that you see or learn by searching on Google doesn’t necessarily have to be correct and accurate. Here are the 10 most common things you should avoid searching on Google.
Avoid searching for your bank’s online banking websites on Google
It is highly advisable not to do a Google search to find your bank’s online banking website unless you know the exact official URL. Always, enter the official URL of your bank’s online banking portal to access the site to stay safe. This is because chances of phishing increasing drastically in which you might enter your bank’s login ID and password on a website that may just look like the bank’s official website and could be a phishing site instead. Also Read: 10 Tips for Safer and Secure Cyberspace
Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by creating duplicate web pages which looks similar to an original web page.
Government websites are easy scam targets, avoid searching for them on Google
Like banking websites, government websites like municipality tax, hospitals, etc are prime targets of scammers. As it is difficult to identify which website is original always opt to directly visit any particular government website instead of searching for it on Google.
Your name
It’s not a big secret that in the era of the internet our privacy is greatly questioned. If you try to google your name, most probably you will stumble upon some unpleasant results. Bad photos of you, outdated information, irrelevant content — we take such things way too seriously. If you find something like this, you’ll want to delete it all. However, that’s not a simple thing to do, but you can see our guide on How to Delete Your Online History. Maybe we should take it easy? Or simply don’t google it.
Best Ways To Stop Google From Tracking You, And Protect Your Privacy Online
Never search for social media websites on Google to login
It is always advisable to access social media accounts by directly typing the URL in the address box of your browser instead of searching for the login page on Google as this might lead to phishing.
Never search for customer care numbers of companies on Google
Fraudsters post fake business listings and customer care numbers on websites to make gullible people believe that these are original customer care numbers to scam them. Customer care number search is one of the most common scams on Google.
Never search for medicines or medical symptoms on Google
It is highly advisable not to skip the doctor and rely on Google search information to know about a disease while you are sick. Also, it is dangerous to buy medicines based on the information you find on Google.
Always avoid searching for serious advice and guidance on personal finances and stock market
Like health, personal finance is unique for each. There can never be one investment plan that will make everyone rich. So, avoid taking advice from Google search results while investing.
Never search for apps and software on Google to download them
For mobile apps, always search for apps on official app stores like Google Play for Android and App Store for iPhones. Searching apps on Google might lead to fake app installations with malware content.
Avoid searching for e-commerce websites or offers on Google
Fake web pages of so-called offers on e-commerce websites have flooded Google search. This is another classic scam in which people are lured with attractive deals to click on malicious websites to steal their online banking login details.
Avoid searching for Coupon codes on Google to get discounts
If you get Coupon code for a discount on shopping then it’s fine else don’t go out hunting for it on Google as you might land on fake websites which might sell fake coupons to you at a cheap price and then steal your banking details.
Never search for free antivirus apps or software on Google
Avoid searching for Antivirus apps or software on Google as there are scores of fake products out there and it becomes difficult to identify the original ones.
Also Read: Best Anonymous Browsers For Private Web Browsing
Source and Credits: GadgetsNow
