In conversations with numerous internet providers, we've noticed a common desire to help subscribers protect themselves online. But (obviously, there's a catch), how can we educate our users and offer tools for protection while browsing the internet?
The benefits of such actions not only benefit the subscriber but also the internet provider, which reduces support calls, adds value to the provider's portfolio, among many other benefits that you will see throughout this post.
What are the dangers of using the internet without protection?
We may have already experienced the digital revolution without even realizing it. The truth is that the internet has ceased to be merely a tool for leisure and work, and has become a veritable war for the pursuit of confidential information and cyberattacks seeking money, whether traditional or the much-discussed digital currencies.
We publish weekly news related to internet security, and we have no shortage of materials to fill our newsletter with cyberattacks.
The dangers of surfing the internet are numerous, but the most common include:
- Viruses – There are several types of viruses, all of which are harmful to your device, acting in different ways and causing various problems such as system slowdowns, file copying, activity logging, and more.
- Malicious links – Malicious links are spread through advertisements, emails (including fake ones from known senders), pop-up windows, among others.
- Phishing attacks – Typically through fake pages , this fraud aims to acquire personal information from internet users, trying to induce visitors to enter their data on fake websites that are identical to the real ones.
- Spam – These are mass messages sent without authorization with the aim of filling the email inbox of their recipients.
- Ransomware attacks – Aiming to encrypt the victim's data, this type of attack is propagated in various ways and typically requires a payment to decrypt the data. Ransomware attacks are very common and on the rise this year, and have affected many internet users.
- Extortion – Malicious online individuals constantly seek financial gain. Lay users, such as children and teenagers, can easily be persuaded by these types of individuals. Caution is important when using websites considered harmful or unreliable in these cases.
- Inappropriate content – Not all types of internet content are suitable for everyone. Pornographic and violent content, for example, are inappropriate for children and adolescents, and gambling and gambling may not be appropriate for users to consume during their work hours. Inappropriate content is one of the most common dangers on the internet and should be taken seriously.
How can an internet provider help subscribers protect themselves?
Knowledge and information can never be overstated. Providers who share knowledge with their subscribers maintain a collaborative relationship and also benefit the provider, not just the subscriber.
Educating subscribers about the dangers of the internet can reduce support calls due to virus infections or network slowdowns, whether at home or at work. Furthermore, alerting customers to these dangers can create a sense of concern on the part of the provider for the subscriber, naturally retaining and building customer loyalty.
Spoiler : at the end of this text we provide the Security and Prevention Guide for Internet Users , which you can customize with your provider's logo and offer more knowledge and information to your subscribers.
Protection tools
Not only guiding your subscribers, but also offering internet protection tools can add value to the provider's portfolio and make the protection process a little more automated.
There are several tools or Value-Added Services (VAS) that providers can use. The main ones, focused on internet security, include:
- Antivirus – Considered one of the basic and essential systems for internet security, antivirus software can significantly improve protection against viruses and malware on computers and cell phones.
- DNS Filtering – DNS filtering is a solution for managing access rules based on DNS queries, filtering what is allowed and what is not allowed for end-user access. When active and configured correctly, it offers an extra layer of protection, preventing access to websites considered harmful or inappropriate for all devices (computer, mobile phone, TV, tablet, printer, etc.) connected to the internet.
Value-added services can bring benefits to both subscribers and providers.
First, according to Anatel , Value-Added Services (VAS) are any and all services provided as ancillary to telecommunications activities. Typically implemented as additional services by internet providers, they offer additional customer experiences, such as antivirus, video and audio streaming, unlimited access to social media, content filtering and many others.
In the video below, you'll understand the main differences between SVA and SCM, and also the benefits of including an SVA in your provider's portfolio.
As we mentioned earlier, but more succinctly, value-added services bring benefits not only to the subscriber, but also to the internet provider:
- Tax optimization – One of the major benefits for internet providers is the reduced tax burden imposed on value-added services. Unlike communications and multimedia services, VAS taxation is governed solely by the federal government and responds to state tax regulations, making the use of these services more profitable for providers, as the tax burden is lower.
- Competitive advantage – Offering additional services in addition to internet services can influence users' choices regarding which internet provider to choose. Furthermore, useful services that are actually usable by subscribers become a factor in customer retention, reducing the rate of cancellations.
Safety and Prevention Guide for Internet Users
According to a survey conducted by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), more than 82% of households in Brazil have internet access and use it daily for various tasks. But what makes this data important is not the number of connected users, but rather the number of people concerned about the security of data transmitted online and the problems that a breach can cause.
In 2020 alone, more than 8.4 billion attempted cyberattacks hit Brazil, so we believe that any internet user deserves to at least be aware of the types of cyberattacks and the main ways to protect themselves.
To help internet providers raise awareness and deliver information about internet security to their subscribers, we at Lumiun developed the Safety and Prevention Handbook for Internet Users . The material was created specifically for this audience and covers topics such as:
- What is internet security?
-
- Most common cyber attacks
- Good practices internet security
- Accounts and passwords
- Social media
- Computer security
- Mobile device security
- How can your internet provider help?
The material is completely free and customizable , where you can place your provider's logo and information.
We hope that this text, along with the material we provide, will help you and your provider build a relationship of trust and closeness with your subscribers, offering free, more secure internet use.
Until later!
