Nigeria is constantly ranked among the most dangerous countries in the world, irrespective of the list you come across. Earlier in the year, a US-based private security contractor, IntelCenter, ranked Nigeria as the third most dangerous place on earth in 2015, only behind Iraq and Syria where ISIS runs rampage. Similarly, the Global Peace Index had in 2014 ranked Nigeria as the second most deadly country after Iraq. Few can argue against those figures. Scores of people are massacred in the country everyday, while dozens more are kidnapped, robbed, raped or harassed by security officials every now and then. Danger, however, comes in many form; it does not only come in the form of bombs and guns.
Below are 52 essential security tips that will keep you safe at all times, physically, psychologically, economically and even spiritually:
1. Wipe your browsing history every now and then, especially before you hand your phone over to someone.
2. Always secure your phone, laptop and tablet with passwords, patterns, fingerprint and other screen lock features.
3. Leave the "Remember Me" or "Remember Password" box unchecked whenever you are logging in to your account from a cyber café or with a device that is not yours.
4. Be careful of what you say or upload on the social media; they can always be traced back to you even if you use an anonymous ID.
5. Download an app that lets you record the phone calls you make or receive so that you can present them as evidence when the need arises.
6. In response to tip number 5, be careful of what you say in calls, except with close friends and family members you trust. Your calls can be recorded.
7. Be careful of what you say in chats. Your messages can be screengrabbed and used to blackmail you.
8. Password-protect all your instant messaging accounts so that you alone can have access to them. Instant messaging chats are private and should not be easily reached when someone gets hold of your device.
9. Once you've password-protected your instant messaging accounts, never delete your chats (except the very annoying ones), as they can be presented in future as evidence if need be.
10. Change all your passwords every 3 or 4 months.
11. Endeavour to change your passwords whenever your social media administrator advises you to or whenever you read about or hear of a widespread online security breach in the news.
12. Use different passwords for different accounts, but they have to be similar to each other so that you can easily recall them.
13. Write all your passwords down in a piece of paper and hide it away; never store them in your email or notes because they can be easily hacked.
14. Your passwords should be difficult to guess. Never use your name, nickname, girlfriend’s or boyfriend’s name, parent’s name, date of birth or anything similar as your password.
15. Your social media passwords should not be less than six characters. The longer your password is, the less likely your hacker will succeed. If it takes too long to crack, your hacker will give up and go over to someone else.
16. Be creative with your passwords. Use uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers and at least two symbols for your important social media accounts.
17. When using a cyber café, make sure you log out of all the accounts you accessed before your leave or at least 4 minutes before your browsing time expires.
18. Watch out for the apps you download — even from reputable app stores — especially the free ones that have in-app advertisements.
19. Before filling out personal details on any website, make sure the URL of the webpage containing the form starts with a https:// (with emphasis on the "S"
and has a padlock symbol.20. Do not click on links or open attachments sent via email from an unknown sender.
21. Before clicking on links or opening attachments from a sender that claims to represent a bank, an insurance company or any other financial institution, check the address to ascertain its authenticity. Mails from financial institutions or their representatives will always be sent from a custom address. For example, marketingrep@reputablefirm.com, instead of marketingrep@xyzmail.com or reputablefirm@xyzmail.com.
22. Wi-Fis are monitored. Mind how you use them.
23. Backup your electronic files in case of an unforeseen crash.
24. Get an antivirus software.
25. Get an app that locks away the videos, pictures and documents you don't want people to see.
26. Bear in mind that even those apps that lock away your private files are vulnerable. It is advised that you keep your intimate pictures, adult videos and confidential documents far away from your phone and tablet, to forestall any scandal.
27. Never send your intimate pictures to anyone, even your husband or wife, because you do not know who is intercepting them at the other end.
28. Do not download from questionable sites. Questionable sites are sites with spammy URLs, unfamiliar extensions, below par design and low web traffic.
29. Do not make use of an earpiece that is plugged in to a device that is charging. They may be torn with exposed wires and some of them have metallic earbuds that can send current to your body. If you must, make sure it doesn't have exposed wires and metallic parts.
30. Fake power banks, chargers and batteries can cause a power surge in your device that will lead to a subsequent explosion.
31. If your phone or any other device becomes very hot, remove the battery and do not put it back for at least two hours. If it persists, take the device to a repairer.
32. Do not place your laptop on the bed, on top of clothes or anything that doesn't allow proper ventilation.
33. Do not switch off your phone and do not put it on airplane mode or bring down the volume very low either whenever it's charging, when you are on the road, when you are on public transport or when it's not in use, except when it is absolutely necessary. This will help you to locate it if it gets missing by dialling the number.
34. Never let your line's account balance drop below 12 naira as it could come in handy in the time of an emergency.
35. Get the emergency numbers of all the security agencies nearest to you.
36. Know the telephone numbers of at least two of your close friends or family members by heart.
37. If you live in a neighbourhood that is prone to kidnapping or robbery, arming yourself with a small pepper spray may not be as ridiculous as it sounds.
38. If you are in a new environment, explore it. Find out more about it.
39. In an environment that is hostile to your sexuality, religion, ethnic group, nationality, race, occupation, political affiliation or any other contentious characteristic, be on the alert. Be extremely careful, conceal that part of you if you can. If it's something you cannot conceal, like race, be vigilant and be polite to everyone you meet.
40. Be unpredictable. Vary your daily routine and movements. Do not take a particular route all the time.
41. Do not venture into an unfamiliar territory alone.
42. Beware of excessively friendly strangers or new acquaintances. The chances are that there is something they need from you and they will never let the opportunity of getting it slip, even if it means taking advantage of you.
43. Pretend that you are a burglar and that there's $50 million stashed away somewhere inside that you desperately need and try to break in to your own house. You'll be surprised at the number of loopholes and security lapses you'll discover in your home.
44. Only your trusted neighbours should know when you are travelling. Don't go about telling everyone you meet about your movements.
45. Do not hide your keys in hidden spots, like your doormat, window and flower vase. Those "hidden spots" may not be so hidden after all.
46. Leaving notes on your door informing visitors that you've travelled is a dated practice. Stop doing it.
47. Fix a bulb outside your house. Switch it on when it's getting dark and leave it on at all times when you are travelling.
48. Buy fire extinguishers and learn how to use them.
49. Gas cylinders, petrol cans and other inflammable materials must be kept outside the house.
50. Block all drainage pipes leading outside with a wire gauze.
51. Stay informed.
52. Pray to God at all times.
Share this information with your loved ones so that we all can be safe at all times.
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