Hello everyone, I’m Pixel Pia, your host at “The Geeky Boomer where Women and Tech Connect”. Today, I want to delve into a topic that is both important and sensitive – online threats towards women and the necessity of navigating the digital landscape safely. I understand that this discussion may contain triggering content such as harassment and stalking, so feel free to skip this post if you are sensitive to these topics.
The Prevalence of Online Harassment and Violence Against Women
In our digital age, online harassment and violence against women are unfortunately prevalent. Various forms of cyber violence exist, including cyberstalking, revenge porn, hate speech, and unsolicited pornography. These acts of violence have far-reaching negative effects on women, curtailing freedom of expression, impacting confidence and self-esteem, limiting access to education and employment opportunities, and exposing women to sexual harassment and abuse. They also hinder progress in STEM fields, a sector where we need more women to participate.
The Need for Action Against Cyber Violence
It’s crucial that we take action to address cyber violence against women and ensure a safe online environment. Legal consequences for cyber violence exist, and there are resources available for women facing harassment, including support centers, helplines, and legal aid clinics. However, we need to do more.
Best Practices for Online Safety
To stay safe online, it’s important to keep personal information private, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication. Keeping devices and software up to date, familiarizing oneself with privacy settings, blocking and reporting harassers, using a virtual private network (VPN), and being cautious when meeting people from online platforms are also key. I also advise using a webcam cover to prevent unauthorized access.
The Importance of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
One of the most effective ways to secure your online accounts is by implementing two-factor authentication (2FA). I recommend using a 2FA app like Auth, which adds an extra layer of security to the login process. Alternatively, you can use a physical key, such as a USB key, for authentication.
To find out which accounts support 2FA, check out the website 2fa.directory. This website categorizes accounts based on their level of 2FA support, such as SMS, phone calls, emails, hardware tokens, or software tokens. It’s worth noting that even though online banking is expected to have high-security measures, not all banks offer the same level of 2FA options.
Setting Up 2FA for Social Media Accounts
Setting up 2FA for a social media account like Facebook is straightforward. I recommend using an authentication app and scanning a QR code to add the account to the app. This adds an extra layer of security to your account. For instance, when logging into Discord, you’ll need to enter the authentication code generated by the app. Each code is valid for 30 seconds, so if the timer is about to expire, wait for a new code.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s essential for us women to support each other in creating a safe online environment. In the next episode, we’ll focus on safe online communities. Until then, stay safe and keep supporting each other.
