Safer Internet Day: More security with a few simple steps
The day of action serves as a reminder of the importance of conscious internet use. We have compiled tips and further articles.
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Today is the second day of the second week of the second month, in other words: Safer Internet Day. This day of action has been held annually since 2004. Originally launched as an EU project, Safer Internet Day has since developed into a global initiative celebrated in over 180 countries.
The focus is not only on technical protective measures but also on imparting media literacy – especially for children and young people. According to the BSI, most children come into contact with the internet as early as preschool age. In Germany, the klicksafe.de platform coordinates national activities.
For Safer Internet Day, klicksafe.de has published the brochure "My Child and AI: Growing Up with Artificial Closeness" published. It is aimed at parents and teachers and explains what AI chatbots and companions are and in what form they can be problematic. However, numerous other dangers lurk online for children and young people. Our detailed FAQ explains how parents can guide their children – from child-friendly search engines and youth protection settings to child protection apps.
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Self-Check
Safer Internet Day is also a good occasion for adults to review their own habits, the services, and applications they use. Those who want to put their digital security to the test will find a comprehensive guide in the c't Security Checklists 2026. Often, a few simple steps are enough to significantly improve one's own security.
(Image:Â Jessica Nachtigall / KI / heise medien)
The checklists cover 16 topic areas, from configuring your WLAN router and secure passwords to protecting yourself from online fraud. New this year are tips for dealing with AI language models and smart home devices. The best part: c't provides all checklists as a free PDF booklet for download – perfect for sharing with family and friends.
More Security with Passkeys
One of the biggest security risks remains the password. The solution is Passkeys: In "Passkeys Instead of Passwords," c't 3003 explains how the technology works. Passkeys are not only more secure than passwords but also more convenient – login is done via fingerprint, facial recognition, or device PIN. For those who want to know more: In the c't webinar "Understanding and Using Passkeys in Digital Everyday Life," editor Niklas Dierking explains in detail why Passkeys are more secure than passwords and how they can be used in everyday life.
More and more services support Passkeys: PayPal, Amazon, Google, WhatsApp, GitHub, and even the employment agency. Password managers like KeePassXC can also manage Passkeys, and Microsoft Edge synchronizes them across devices since version 142.
Phishing: Fraud Becoming Increasingly Sophisticated
Phishing attacks aim to manipulate people into revealing confidential information or infecting devices with malware. Attackers use emails, instant messaging, phone calls, text messages (SMS), or websites to deceive their victims. For example, they lure them to a website that is deceptively similar to a bank's website. If the victim enters their login credentials there, they are intercepted.
Attackers can conduct increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks with AI. Spelling errors and awkward German as a distinguishing feature? That was once the case. In the article "How Users and Companies Can Protect Themselves from Phishing," researcher Melanie Volkamer from KIT explains what to look out for today.
Consumer Tips in Subscription
Dangers also lurk in online shopping. With fake shops, you pay for supposed bargains that never arrive. And a lot can go wrong with shipping and returns. c't clarifies the pitfalls in a detailed article series and shows you how to avoid them.
In its "Vorsicht, Kunde!" (Caution, Customer!) section, c't deals with real conflicts that customers had to fight with retailers, manufacturers, or service departments. c't editor Ulrike Kuhlmann, along with her colleague Urs Mansmann and lawyer Niklas MĂĽhleis, presents the cases in the podcast of the same name. If you want to be regularly informed about consumer topics: The free newsletter "c't Vorsicht, Kunde!" informs you every second Friday with tips, news, and real cases.
(jo)
