Google warns billions of users about five dangerous myths – a common password mistake could ruin you

GOOGLE says it’s time to ditch outdated security advice – and step up your online safety today.

There are five “myths” you need to trash.

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A Google blog post warns users that “old fears” about technology are no longer relevant to come true.

Here are the five myths according to Google…

Myth #1 – Spotting suspicious links is entirely up to you

Malicious links are a great way to hijack your accounts or devices.

But gone are the days when the responsibility was entirely yours.

“If you use Chrome or Gmail, we proactively flag known fraudulent websites, emails and links before you even click on them,” explains Google.

“And Google Password Manager doesn’t automatically fill in your credentials when it detects a fraudulent website.

“With the right security measures in place by default in Google products, you carry less of a burden.”

Myth #2 – Avoid all public WiFi

Cyber ​​experts used to warn against public WiFi.

And while public Wi-Fi can still put you at greater risk of spying on your home network, don’t panic too much.

“Websites using HTTPS provide secure connections with data encryption,” says Google.

“Chrome offers HTTPS First mode to prioritize these websites and makes it easy to identify protected pages with a lock icon in your web address bar.

“Use this as a signal for which websites to visit.”

You can also use a VPN app to further protect your browsing activity.

Myth #3 – Bluetooth is dangerous

Bluetooth dates back to the 1990s, but it has come a long way since then.

As a connection technology, it is far more secure than it used to be.

“Some people may still wonder if Bluetooth, known as a pairing technology, is a safe way to help you sign in,” says Google.

“After all, you’re used to seeing nearby devices like your phone or headphones on your laptop.

“But using current Bluetooth standards is very secure and doesn’t really involve pairing.

“It is used to ensure that your phone is close to the device you are signing in on and to confirm that you are really trying to access your account.”

Myth #4 – Password managers are insecure

Password managers might sound like a terrible idea: they put all your logins in one place.

But they are actually much more secure than trying to remember all of your own logins, which generally results in simple passwords being reused.

“It might seem risky to trust all your credentials to a single provider, but password managers are built for security,” explains Google.

“If you’re using ours, which is built right into Chrome and Android, you know it’s secure by default.

“Our research shows that 65% of people still reuse their credentials across different accounts.

“Password managers solve this problem by creating new passwords for you and ensuring their strength.”

Myth #5 – Cyber ​​criminals won’t bother targeting you

It’s an easy mistake to make: you’re not a VIP or a billionaire, so why would a hacker or cybercriminal waste their time on you?

But the sad reality is that no one is safe from the wandering fingers of keyboard-wielding crooks.

“In fact, if an attacker manipulates you into sharing personal information that will be used in a cyberattack, ordinary people are the perfect target for social engineering,” warns Google.

“Social engineers make a living out of it, and it’s a cheap and low-effort way to achieve their goals, especially when compared to physically broken technology or trying to attack someone in public.

“Protect yourself by being mindful of social engineering and using products that are secure by default, like Gmail, Chrome, etc.”