Episode 15: Cybersecurity Myth #5 — “Only Suspicious Websites Are Dangerous”
Welcome to another episode of FamilyCyber.ie — where we share simple digital safety habits and online privacy tips for those of us who want to make life harder for the digital Voldemorts out there.
🟢 This episode is based on the original Spanish version of CiberseguridadParaFamilias.com. It’s been translated using AI so more people can access these tips in English.
We continue with our special Cybersecurity Myths series.
In each short episode, we debunk a common myth to help you stay safer online.
This is Episode 15 and the fifth myth in our series.
❌ Myth #5: “Only suspicious websites are dangerous”
Many people believe that only “strange” or unknown websites can be dangerous.
However, this isn’t true. Even legitimate, popular websites can pose risks if:
- They’ve been hacked to distribute malware.
- They display malicious ads that redirect you to dangerous sites.
- They have vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.
🔎 Why is this a problem?
Even if a website is safe, problems can still occur, such as:
- Phishing disguised as fake promotions or ads.
- Malicious links in user comments or posts.
🎭 Real-life example
Imagine you visit a very popular news website.
One of the ads displays a message like: “Your device is infected — click here to fix it.”
If you click, it redirects you to a page that installs malware or steals your personal data.
This attack is known as “malvertising” (malicious advertising) and can affect even the most legitimate websites.
🔒 How to truly protect yourself
✔ Don’t click on pop-ups warning you about viruses or promising prizes.
✔ Keep your browser and operating system updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.
✔ If you have antivirus software, make sure it’s active to help detect and block potential threats.
💡 Conclusion
Even legitimate websites can be dangerous if they’ve been hacked or show malicious ads.
The best defense is to browse cautiously and keep your security tools up to date.
If you found this episode helpful, share it with your loved ones.
This is the fifth episode in our Cybersecurity Myths series — don’t miss the next one!
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📌 This has been another episode of FamilyCyber.ie — where we share simple digital safety habits and online privacy tips for those of us who want to make life harder for the digital Voldemorts out there.