| If you are using a computer that is not within the | | | | The virus program will use your e-mail contacts to |
| confines of your home, you should be really careful. | | | | spread it other computers. This information also can be |
| The open boundaries of Internet has transformed | | | | used by Internet advertisers for sales promotions. |
| communication on Internet in a big way, it has brought | | | | Avoid opening e-mail attachments received from |
| computer users globally together and are able to send | | | | unauthorized source. Use virus scanner to scan for |
| messages and data at the click of mouse. This | | | | any virus or worm trace, if found delete the mail from |
| openness of unguarded communication has also | | | | your system and put senders address in block list. |
| created security threat for computer users. The | | | | Back up computer data. |
| hackers and criminals are always lookout for | | | | It is always good practice to take daily or weekly |
| unguarded computers, which can be hacked and used | | | | backup of your computer data. In case of damaged |
| as zombies to launch attack on other computer or | | | | computer or corrupted data, you can always restore |
| networks. | | | | your last saved copy to resume work. Make this |
| This is because using these computers compromises | | | | practice daily to be on top of your work. Together with |
| your security and make you extremely vulnerable to | | | | anti-virus and firewall in place you will be one step |
| any type of malware attack, especially spyware. Of | | | | ahead of Internet crooks and hackers. |
| course, there are some things that you can do to | | | | Protect Your Password. |
| ensure your security whenever you are using these | | | | Create your password with the combination of |
| computers. | | | | characters and numbers. Do not keep password |
| First of all, you should never access your bank | | | | based on your name, last name, nickname or date of |
| account or use a credit card on a public computer, like | | | | birth, because these are very easy for someone to |
| those that you will find in a coffee shop, airport or | | | | figure your password. Change your passwords |
| library. This is because the security risks in doing such | | | | frequently and keep your different passwords for |
| activities are just too high. It is best to approach these | | | | credit card or bank account. This will stop you from |
| computers as though they have a "key logger." This is | | | | getting profiled by hackers and saves your identity. |
| a type of spyware software that is actually able to | | | | Live Software Updates. |
| record every keystroke that you make on the | | | | The makers of operating software, application |
| computer that is affected with this form of spyware. | | | | software or anti-virus software often find holes in their |
| As such, putting personal information into these | | | | software. In order to block these bugs in software |
| computers will give "hackers" easy access to your | | | | they release software updates for their users. These |
| accounts and other such sensitive data. | | | | updates are important, one it tighten the security for |
| As a smart computer user you need to implement | | | | software and also they update known list of viruses in |
| following procedures to safe guard your privacy and | | | | your system. Always keep live update option open for |
| valuable data. | | | | your operating software and anti-virus software. |
| Install Anti-Virus software | | | | Free Software Download. |
| Install any good anti-virus software on your system. | | | | Nothing is free, avoid visiting website, which give free |
| This software will ensure no unauthorized software is | | | | software. The free software always comes with |
| downloaded on your system, stops attack from virus | | | | adware program to pay for their development cost. |
| and computer worms. This virus scanner will help in | | | | Once you have downloaded free software, either it |
| detecting and removing the viruses and worms. It is | | | | will start showing ads in the form pop-up or it will |
| recommended to scan your computer full at least | | | | record your Internet interest in terms of what you like |
| once a week. You can also schedule your weekly | | | | and where you shop. This will help Internet advertisers |
| scan and put it on auto method. | | | | to send you right set of ads. |
| Install Firewall software | | | | Above all be proactive in safeguarding your privacy. |
| As name sounds it is a security ring around your data | | | | This will not only help you in safeguarding your |
| and application residing on your system. The firewall | | | | computer but also other computers connected to open |
| puts additional security ring around your system to | | | | boundaries of Internet. |
| block unauthorized access to your computer for data | | | | - Do not share your passwords with other computer |
| or personal theft. In case you have DSL, Broadband or | | | | users. |
| wireless system at home it becomes very important | | | | - Do not share your personal- information in chat room |
| to install firewall to guard from hackers. Equally | | | | with strangers. |
| important is to install firewall with full features and with | | | | - Do not download free software unless it is from |
| password protected Internet access, ensuring no one | | | | trusted source. |
| other than you can tap to Internet access through your | | | | - Avoid public computers for accessing your financial |
| computer. | | | | institution such as banks and credit card companies. |
| Do not open E-mail Attachments | | | | - Do not respond to mails asking you to provide your |
| The Hackers and Viruses makers often use e-mail | | | | personal information, where sender is pretending to be |
| attachment to spread viruses in computers and | | | | one from your bank or credit card company. |
| computer networks. Once you open an e-mail | | | | - Do not respond to mails claiming you have won |
| attachment infected with virus, it will start taking over | | | | jackpot, golden rule if you didn't buy lottery ticket then |
| your system and hijack your e-mail contact address. | | | | you didn't win any lottery. |