| Always practice safe surfing! Here is a computer | | | | (see below). These are infrequent, so check your |
| checklist to help keep you safe online. Print it out and | | | | email, or check in the programs to see if they are up |
| stick it on the wall beside your computer. To begin with, | | | | to date. |
| I assume you have an anti-virus program, a firewall | | | | 3. Get a custom HOSTS file. Go to your favorite |
| and 2 anti-spyware programs, at least. | | | | search engine to find one. Take the time to read and |
| Why 2 anti-spyware applications? Often one program | | | | understand what it is and does. If you have never |
| will find what the other misses. You should also have a | | | | used one before, it may seem complicated at first. It |
| filter/blocker program, that keeps this stuff out of your | | | | really is not. |
| computer in the first place. | | | | Viruses have gotten so sophisticated lately that they |
| Daily: | | | | can use the HOSTS file to prevent your anti-virus |
| 1. As soon as you turn on your computer for the day, | | | | software from updating itself. To avoid this, about |
| and before you start surfing the Internet, update your | | | | once a month you should open your HOSTS file, and |
| anti-virus program, or check that it updates itself | | | | check to make sure your anti-virus program is NOT |
| automatically. | | | | listed there. |
| 2. When you have finished surfing for the day, or after | | | | If it is, your computer could be infected with a virus. |
| installing new software, run one of your anti-spyware | | | | Delete that line in the HOSTS file, and run all your |
| programs. The next day, run the other one. Alternate | | | | security scans immediately. |
| them, to catch all possible malware. | | | | Do not open unsolicited email or unexpected |
| 3. Carefully and fully read every End User License | | | | attachments, avoid phishing scams and public |
| Agreement (EULA). If you see something like "The | | | | computers, try not to download anything from the |
| vendor/publisher may install third party software" hit | | | | web, change your passwords every couple of months, |
| the delete button (hard!) or cancel the download. Or at | | | | back up important files, do not ignore warnings and |
| least run all your security scans after installation. | | | | alerts from your security programs and use Guest and |
| Weekly: | | | | Limited accounts for other users on your computer. |
| 1. Once a week, update your anti-spyware programs, | | | | Finally, stay alert and use common sense on the Web. |
| as well as Windows. If you have kids who surf the Net | | | | Even the best security programs will not protect you |
| and play games online, do it more often. | | | | unless you (and your kids!) think before you click! |
| 2. Watch for updates to your firewall and HOSTS file | | | | |