Share

The concern for internet safety is a global phenomenon, mostly for those who are new-fangled to internet. While the prevalence of social networking websites, online communities and internet-enabled processes should be great news for individual, corporate and government users, the concern for safety remains a major source of concern. The 21st century is the age of computers and World Wide Web. Everyone starting from child to old is accustomed with web browsing. But the question arises how much we are safe on the internet? Hackers and malicious software is a great threat to our individual online privacy. So we need to protect our self from these dangerous aspects of internet. Following are some steps that can ensure a safe browsing practice.

 To browse the internet safely, it’s best if you do so by using common sense. Do not click on advertisements that may harm your computer, and stay away from sites that promise “free” items, cash or other services simply by entering your personal information. Just because a website looks official, this does not mean that it can’t harm your computer.

 To improve the safety of your internet browsing, it’s highly recommended that you install some high-quality firewall software. Having a firewall can help prevent programs from infiltrating your computer, and may also protect against some hackers or internet criminals. Some operating systems (such as Windows 7) include a built-in firewall, which should be enabled at all times in order to protect your computer. Even though using a firewall may cause some programs to have difficulty functioning, it’s best if you gain enough technical knowledge to properly use your firewall software.

 Ensure data security by using strong passwords for your online accounts and your system files. Do not use your name or birth date as a password since they are easy to crack. Instead, use a password that contains alphanumeric characters and is at least eight characters long. Also, do not store passwords on your system. If remembering all your passwords is difficult, use a password manager program to organize and manage your passwords. A good password manager program will encrypt all your passwords that it manages. In addition, never share your password with anyone else.

 Use an antivirus and an antispyware tool to keep your system protected from malicious programs, such as viruses, worms, adware, and spyware. Configure these tools to perform regular full system scans on your computer. Also keep these tools up-to-date with the latest virus definitions and security updates to enable them to identify and protect your system from the latest threats. Although the Internet has simplified our daily activities, it is essential that you take the necessary protection to keep your computer safe.

When other people are using your computer, it’s best if you supervise their activities. Even if a friend asks to check their email, its best if you have them login under a other account that you have created for others to use. Having a Guest account on your computer enables you to allow others to use your computer without having to worry about them installing potentially malicious software. When creating a Guest account, disable sharing of important files on your computer. In addition to this, you should always make sure that any sensitive files are password-protected. Don’t load non-essential programs off the Internet, especially things like toolbars, screensavers, or video programs. These programs normally install extra, malicious software that causes problems and often requires a repair to remove effectively. Don’t click on anything in a pop-up and unsolicited links received in email, instant messages, or chat rooms, as it might install malware.

 Attachments that come with unwanted emails can contain malicious programs, such as viruses and worms. These malicious programs often cause severe damage to your system. Therefore, it is best that you straight away delete any unwanted emails you receive. You must also scan the attachments that you obtain from known sources before opening them. It is recommended that you install antispam software that can automatically scan and prevent impure emails from appearing in your email program’s inbox.

When the lock icon appears in the browser, many of us believe we are opening a secure site. This is because the lock icon indicates there is an SSL encrypted connection between the browser and the server to protect the personal sensitive information. However, it does not present any security from malware. In fact, it’s the reverse because most Web security products are totally blind to encrypted connections: it’s the perfect vehicle for malware to penetrate a machine. There have been many cases where hackers emulate bank, credit card sites complete with spoofed SSL certificates that are difficult for a user to identify as deceptive. So keep away from the unknown site which shows lock icon.

 It is important that you keep your operating system, software, and drivers updated with the latest software, and security releases from the manufacturer on a usual basis. Using the most recent version of a program will remove any security susceptibility that may have been present in its previous version. As a result, your computer will be less horizontal to viruses and malware infections that use security vulnerabilities. This makes you safer when you use internet.

Related Posts : Internet