8 Easy Steps to Safely Use the Internet

1. First, install, run, and keep up-to-date Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware programs. See “Free Programs”.

2. Turn on Windows firewall (XP: Control Panel, Windows Firewall) or use another software firewall. See “Free Programs”.

3. Don't ever give your personal information (such as SS, bank account, and credit card numbers, birth dates) over the phone to someone who calls you asking for it. Online, the same rule applies.  Only give personal information when you have typed the url, never to a site that you got to from a link sent to you in email. **This especially holds for financial sites.**

4. Distrust any e-mail link or any unexpected e-mail attachment, even if it appears to come from someone you know.  This is the best way to avoid viruses.  If you are not sure, contact the sender before opening the attachment.

**Links to credit card sites that are contained in emails are the most common avenue of attack that scammers use to get your account information.**

5. Download programs from ONLY trusted sources.  Many Spyware programs accompany other programs you actually want to install.  **Even with programs from trusted sources, watch for checkboxes that permit the installation of other programs that you probably don’t want.** Don’t use IM programs to download files. Viruses have been know to sent messages to users from contact lists.

6. Stay away from clicking pop-ups.  Some pop-ups provide links to Web sites that will install Spyware by visiting them. Other pop-ups may promise great programs, but deliver viruses and Spyware instead!

7. Engage the security on your router if you have a wireless network! For the best security, install a router with a hardware firewall. (Continue to use your software firewall, the hardware firewall does not replace the software firewall.)

8. Use a strong, unique passwords for each important site. Multiple passwords reduce the risk of giving thieves easy access to all your accounts and services. Hint: Use a free tool to take care of remembering passwords. See “Free Programs”.

 ***Bonus***

Make searching and surfing safer by using Web of Trust (WOT). It is a free add-in for your browser which is lite on computer resources so it doesn’t slow down your connection. Get it as http://www.mywot.com/