Internet Security – Stay Safe

Install anti-virus

Make sure you have anti-virus software on your computer so it scans and destroys or even isolates any virus that does get in. Some of them are effective against Trojan horses and worms as well and you might get a message on your screen warning you of a site that is dangerous. Keep the software updated and run it regularly if you want it to be effective against new viruses. Also make sure that it has an email scanner and see that it is active when your computer is running. Many viruses come in through your mail. It also checks your mail when it is sent out.

Install a firewall

Windows has a firewall inbuilt into it – you need to make sure that it is updated regularly and that you download the critical patches as well to keep it effective. You might need to install another firewall to be well protected. If you do this, you can turn off the one on Windows. These usually have a dual role to play. They protect you from any outside scanning of your computer and they prevent anything that has been installed in your computer from trying to get access certain sites. A firewall is really a guard at your door to the Internet, monitoring what goes in and what comes out. You need to manually configure it to allow certain sites that you use, especially the ones with a chat facility as it would automatically block these by default.

Many of these are available free for download on the Internet and a few of them with advanced features are available for sale, both online or from a store.

Secure your router

Many routers are available with their own free firewall so you won’t need to install it on your computer. What you also need to do is to password-protect your router so that any neighbour or passerby can’t just connect to your Internet connection. This could be a problem if there’s someone within range who is using the range for any nefarious activities.

Install spyware protection

Again, you can download many of them free from the Internet or you can buy them online or at a store. You can get quite a bit of spyware that comes in with the files you download from the Internet and these can pry into all the personal information that you have stored in your computer and send it back to wherever it came from. Some spyware like cookies from a site are harmless but some can cause a lot of harm so it is always good to be careful and have proper spyware installed.

This is of great danger if you do a lot of shopping online and spyware can keep track of your card number, password, etc. Running a computer scan with your anti-spyware regularly is a good thing. If the spyware just sits there in your computer, besides stealing your personal details, it could also make your computer run slowly, maybe even crash. You can protect yourself to some extent by not opening attachments that come in your mail from questionable sources and not opening mail from people you do not know.

Prevent Identity theft

This is rather serious and could pose quite a security risk for you. It is always safe to store your personal information in a book and not on your computer. In case you have spyware or malware entering your computer in spite of all the precautions you take, you stand to lose a lot.

When you go onto a secure site for any financial transaction, use the visual keyword to click out your password rather than type it in. If you have a keyboard logger virus that has come in, it could record all your keyboard strokes and that information will go out to the cyber-criminal who sent it.

Download from recognised sites

Don’t download from sites that are questionable because the problems that often ensue are terrible! Check online to see if the site is all right especially when it comes to downloading music and movies.

Spam Emails

Mark any email that is suspicious as Spam – it will then go automatically to your Spam folder the next time there is an email from the same address. Do not open any images that come as attachments – they could well contain some hidden virus that gets lodged into your computer as soon as you open the attachment. The best rule would be, if you don’t know the person, don’t open the mail. Better still, mark it as Spam. Remember – don’t give your email address out to any and everyone. If you do want mailings from stores and suppliers to come in, open a new email address and give that one out to people. Make sure you mark the spam regularly there.

Secure your computer

Make your computer password-protected. This way, only you can get into your computer and any unauthorised person cannot surf the Internet or send out emails using your name or computer address. Safety is a must especially in the days of broadband and newer and deadlier viruses and spyware.

Consumer Trust