Tips For Safer Computing Online

Tips For Safer Computing Online
by BB Lee (C)2004

New computer viruses threaten the unwary user everyday. Hackers
jeopardize your online security with invasive computer techniques to
steal your passwords, personal information, even identity.

Unscrupulous marketers bait you with free software that unleashes
spyware, trojans, or worms, on your system.

While other marketers bombard you with popups at every turn. And
others send unsolicited spy emails asking you to click links to unsafe websites that install threating software on your computer, or try to download your private information.

These are only a few of the security issues involved while online.

Read through the following list to arm your computer and protect yourself against these vicious and often malicious online attacks.

1. Install a good anti-virus software.
Here's a good free anti-virus software...
Fr** AVG Anti-Virus......
New - AVG Fr** Edition is now available for all single home users
worldwide! More detailed information can be found in the AVG Free
Edition License Agreement.
Click Here To Download:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

2. Install a personal firewall.
This personal firewall is one of the best online....
http://www.zonealarm.com

3. Install a good pop up blocker.
Google has a free pop up blocker so does Yahoo. The only drawback
is you will have to download and install their toolbar.

4. Know Privacy Policy.
Read the websites privacy policy before releasing personal information.
Note do they share or sell your information with third parties. If they do you might reconsider releasing your personal information.

5. Passwords.
Never use easy to guess passwords like your favorite color, your social security number, your birthdate, words less than six characters. Mix up passwords with combinations of numbers and symbols.

6.Virus Warnings.
Don't forward virus warnings you receive in emails. It's not your
job to warn others. And you might be circulating a fake warning
designed to scare receivers into downloading trojans or removing
important files on their computer.

7. Keep It Secret.
Don't give your password to anyone. Be wary of emails asking you to give out your personal passwords for accounts online. Or emails asking you to click a link and enter your password on the site. This site might be a fake sent by hackers "phishing" for victims.

8. Primary Email Address.
Don't divulge your primary email address on unfamiliar sites. You
might be bombarded with unsolicited emails by marketers who
sell your address to third parties online.

9. Free Accounts
Set up several free email accounts with a psuedo name to handle
spam, when you register with unfamiliar sites, or to use on chat and message boards.

10. Chat Line And Message Board Warnings.
Don't release personal information on chat lines or
message boards. This is one way many identity thefts occur.

____________________________________________________________

BB Lee is Editor of SmallBizBits News.
Visit: http://www.smallbizbitsnews.com
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