| Almost every aspect of our lives has been integrated | | | | contain malicious codes or information that could grab |
| with the computer and the Internet. Our emails, family | | | | this information from your computer without you |
| contacts, shopping online, flight reservations, medical | | | | knowing it. You should also disable your automatic |
| records, work documents, and even financial records | | | | download settings. |
| have found their way onto the information highway. | | | | 4. E-mails Could Be Harmful |
| Our intention of making our lives easier through the | | | | Hackers and spammers could target your inbox to |
| Internet has also made us more vulnerable to the | | | | spread unwanted information. They may send e-mails |
| evildoers and hackers of the world. | | | | with malicious contents, from harmless spam to |
| Theft and harassment are some of the | | | | damaging computer virus. Simply delete the e-mail if |
| misdemeanors that any Internet user could be a victim | | | | the sender or the e-mail subject seems suspicious. |
| of. Now, more than ever, we need to protect | | | | Viruses could modify e-mail addresses discreetly so it |
| ourselves and our family from this potential harm. Here | | | | looks like it came from your family or a friend. Say, like |
| are some tips for your Internet security. | | | | interchanging two letters in an address in your contact |
| 1. Knowledge is Power | | | | list. Always make sure your anti-virus is set to |
| Learn as much as you can about the Internet. Books, | | | | automatically scan all attachments before you |
| magazines, and, of course, the Internet offers a lot of | | | | download them. |
| information about Internet security. | | | | Email is always an unsecure computer threat. You can |
| Try to learn more about basic computer Internet | | | | minimize this threat by using an online web email client |
| security like a firewall, anti-spyware, privacy policies, | | | | like Gmail or Yahoo instead of using Outlook Express, |
| etc. Don't worry if you can't understand everything at | | | | Outlook, or some other email client on your computer. |
| first. As you come across more articles, you'll gain a | | | | The major web email clients will greatly reduce your |
| greater understanding and grasp more of the | | | | spam emails and will also check attachments for |
| computer jargons and concepts. | | | | viruses and other know threats before you can |
| 2. Arm Your PC | | | | download them to your computer. |
| Your PC should be your vehicle as you cruise along | | | | 5. Common Sense |
| the information highway. Load up your PC with a | | | | Remember always use common sense, if something |
| firewall and an anti-virus program. Firewall and | | | | is too good to be true then it probably is. Also, it is |
| anti-virus programs are relatively inexpensive and could | | | | important to always do an online search of anything |
| be bought or downloaded from the Internet. Some are | | | | you intend to download before you actually download |
| even free. | | | | it. Additionally, never hesitate to use your phone to |
| If you are going to download the product, be sure that | | | | verify suspicious e-mails, and if no phone number is |
| the source is reputable. If you already have a anti-virus | | | | available then that should say it all. |
| program installed, then make sure it is updated daily or | | | | Finally it is never too early to warn your kids about the |
| weekly at the most and make sure your computer | | | | online dangers and if you feel it necessary, it might not |
| and other software have update and security patches | | | | hurt to install software that will let you keep tabs of |
| installed. | | | | your children's and spouse's surfing. |
| 3. Beware of Strangers | | | | As we spend more and more time online, it is going to |
| Instant messaging (IM), chat rooms and bots are the | | | | be more and more necessary to ensure that our |
| types of real-time messaging that are extremely | | | | experiences are safe and productive. These are only |
| popular nowadays. When engaging in either of these, | | | | a few of the tips that you should consider when using |
| try to be aware of the real identity of the person you | | | | the Internet. These tips could save you the hassle and |
| are communicating with. | | | | expense of undoing the damage caused by those |
| You should never divulge your personal information like | | | | creating havoc online. |
| residential address, telephone numbers, your social | | | | So we have covered the basics. Specifically we have |
| security, or bank accounts. Even if you think you are | | | | passed on some common sense and software |
| giving this information to someone you know, don't do | | | | solutions that will greatly reduce your chances of |
| it! Some might even ask you to click on a seemingly | | | | having your online security breached. I sincerely hope |
| harmless web address that, in reality, may actually | | | | that this guide was helpful to you. |