01. Disable the Auto-Run feature in
Windows. This built-in Windows component allows silent programs to
execute without your knowledge because auto-run grants them permission to
initiate without obtaining active consent.
02. Always
have an anti-virus program on your computer and keep it updated. There
are plenty of free or very inexpensive anti-virus programs available, so you
have no excuse for not having one. Make sure you set the program up to do
a full scan at least once a week.
03. Do not
turn off the Firewall options on your computer, even if a program claims the
Firewall needs to be disabled for the program to work. Firewall settings
allow you set program-specific exceptions without disabling the protection
altogether.
04. When
choosing passwords for online sites or online accounts (bank accounts, Pay Pal,
etc.), make sure you never use the same password for multiple sites, use a
mixture of upper and lower case letters and numbers (and symbols if they are
allowed), avoid using personal information (birth date, maiden name, social
security number), never use a password of less than 10 characters, and combine
words or create nonsensical ones. The harder your password is for you to
remember, the more difficult it will be for someone else to guess it!
05. Update
the core components of your computer’s software regularly, or set the system to
automatically find and download updates. The most common example of this
is Windows Update for Microsoft operating systems.
06. While
it is tempting to download free movies, music, and software from torrent sites,
it can also be very harmful to your computer. Torrent content is
generally unverified and frequently contains viruses or other harmful malware.
07. E-mail
has become a common way for viruses, scams, and phishing activities to obtain
information or compromise your computer. When reading your e-mails, never
click on an embedded link in the message unless you know the destination (you
can find this out by hovering your mouse over the link). This applies to
messages from people you know, also, because most web-based e-mail accounts
(Yahoo!, Gmail, etc.) can be compromised.
08. Disable
Java (not JavaScript) in your internet browser. Exploits through Java
occur frequently, even though Java itself it almost never needed when using the
internet.
09. While Internet Explorer is very popular, it lacks a feature
included in Mozilla Firefox that makes Firefox a safer browser to use,
particularly if you are susceptible to JavaScript threats. Firefox has a
NoScript add-on that blocks all JavaScript programs from sites that you have
not approved.
10. Back up
important data on your computer to an external drive or storage location (an
online “cloud” or flash drive) regularly to prevent total loss in the event
your computer is stricken with a virus or other harmful malware.
11. System
recovery questions ask for basic information like your mother’s maiden name,
the name of your hometown, or your pet’s name. This information is also
likely contained somewhere on your Facebook page. When providing recovery
responses, treat them like passwords and never provide actual information that
can be freely found elsewhere on the internet.
12. Never
open or run executable files directly from the internet. Download them to
your computer’s hard drive or an external storage device and perform a virus
scan first.
13. Establish
more than one e-mail address for multiple purposes. For example, you
could have one e-mail address known only to close friends and family members,
another for online banking and financial transactions, and another for online
gaming purposes. This reduces the amount of potential spam, malware
threats, and phishing risks you are exposed to.
14. If you
have a supplemental firewall program such as Comodo or ZoneAlarm that asks for
permission when an unknown program is attempting to download a file, connect to
your computer, or execute a program, never allow the action unless you know
what the program or file is first and are sure it is from a trusted source.
15. When
using social media such as Facebook, be cautious about what personal
information you share. What you post on the internet is visible to
everyone and can be used in a harmful or damaging way. Another Facebook
tip is to avoid accepting friend requests from people you don’t know
personally. While it may be “cool” to have 10,000 friends, how many of
them are you positive you can trust with your personal information?
Protecting your sensitive or confidential information and
keeping your computer or internet-enabled mobile device safe from unwanted
intrusions is essential in our internet-driven society. Follow the tips
provided here and continue to educate yourself further about ways to stay
secure while using the internet, regardless of what your online activities
consist of or how you access the online world. When it comes to internet
security, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.
Resources:
http://combofix.org/15-tips-for-online-safety-security.php
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