| In terms of computer security, many people are stuck | | | | retailers and by no means click on emailed hyperlinks |
| in a world of blissful ignorance. We simply don't think | | | | unless you are sure of the source. Usually you can just |
| we could be the victim of a cyber attack, but there's | | | | hover over an email link to see the actual internet |
| no doubt it will happen eventually. Even though many | | | | address it goes to, but not always. If it looks suspicious, |
| of us could be highly vigilant and never open email | | | | then don't click on it as it will send you to a website set |
| attachments from people we don't know, and look to | | | | up to steal your details. |
| verify an ecommerce web site is secure before | | | | 3. Keep your antivirus and firewall software up to date. |
| enteringour bank card information. We might even go | | | | The trouble is, hackers and others who engage in |
| so far as to put in a secure firewall on our computers | | | | cyber-crime appear to always be one jump ahead of |
| to block internet access to certain rogue programs. | | | | the curve. In the case that your pc protection is |
| Sadly, a lot of the well-meaning recommendations we | | | | out-of-date, you are vulnerable. |
| follow when it comes to web security is not enough to | | | | 4. Use an internet browser and computer OS that has |
| fight the cyber-crime that's widespread. | | | | good safety features. Be certain your browser |
| Even the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC for | | | | settings offer you optimal privacy and safety, and be |
| short), which is a governmental bureau that is designed | | | | certain that you update your operating system often |
| to assist customers, had to publish a press launch | | | | to make the most of security patches. |
| stating that customers, including company and banking | | | | 5. Use secure passwords at all times. For example, |
| executives, might be victims of a fake e-mail | | | | create a single password for every site you go to, and |
| supposedly sent by the FTC. The fake document was | | | | maintain them in a secure place. Use letters, numbers |
| actually sent by a third party trying to fool users into | | | | and other symbol mixtures in an effort to circumvent |
| installing malicious software onto their computers. | | | | automated password detection programs. |
| There is little doubt that adware, malware, and nasty | | | | 6. It's vital to perform frequent backups. If your |
| virus assaults make any pc with an internet connection | | | | computer does suffer a virus or a worm, your most |
| open to attack. But, not all Web safety breaches are | | | | importantinformation may be lost. Make sure that you |
| immediately obvious. In point of fact, most people are | | | | frequently make a backup of any essential records |
| usually oblivious of the fact that their seemingly | | | | and store them in a secure place. |
| hassle-free computing is at serious risk from criminal | | | | 7. Be prepared for all contingencies. If something does |
| elements. | | | | go wrong, such as your pc being hacked or infected |
| Now that you understand the scale of the problem, | | | | with a virus, or should you unintentionally reveal private |
| here are seven pointers to assist you to navigate the | | | | info, know what steps to take to remedy the situation |
| world-wide-web in safety: | | | | and prevent additional problems. |
| 1. Shield your private information as it is important to | | | | Protecting your financial and personal data from all of |
| prevent identity theft. For instance, when making a | | | | the threats in the on-line world can seem like an |
| purchase on an ecommerce web site, be sure that the | | | | impossible task. Fortunately there are many software |
| page where you enter your personal data is safe, as | | | | vendors who make it their business to supply people |
| designated by "https" in the URL shown in the browser | | | | and companies cutting-edge pc security software. |
| address bar. | | | | They will help to keep your computer secure from the |
| 2. Be mindful of the possibilities before you click on a | | | | many threats which stem from the modern bandits of |
| link. For instance, many cyber-criminals impersonate | | | | our time, who infest the internet and make safe |
| reputable companies, or send out a "phishing" e-mail | | | | computing more and more difficult. |
| that asks you to click on a link. Check out on-line | | | | |