10 Ways To Stay Safe Online
1. Be a responsible cyber
citizen.
If you use the Internet, you're a citizen of a global community-a cyber citizen.
Just like being a citizen of your local community, being a cyber citizen has
responsibilities. Use the Internet to share knowledge that makes people's lives
better. Keep safe, use good manners and respect the laws.
2. Use anti-virus
software.
A computer virus is a program
that can invade your computer and damage or destroy information. Anti-virus
software is designed to protect you and your computer against known viruses. But
with new viruses emerging daily, anti-virus programs need to be updated
regularly. Check with the web site of your anti-virus software company to see
some sample descriptions of viruses and to get regular updates for your
software. Stop viruses in their tracks!
3. Do not open email from
unknown sources.
Delete email from unknown
sources. Watch out for files attached to e-mails, particularly those with an
"exe" extension-even if people you know sent them to you. Some files
transport and distribute viruses and other programs that can permanently destroy
files and damage computers and Web sites. Do not forward e-mail if you are not
completely sure that any attached files are safe.
4. Use hard-to-guess
passwords and keep them private.
Do not write passwords down on
small pieces of paper taped to your computer. You would be surprised how many
people are sloppy about keeping their passwords private. Passwords that are easy
to-guess are a bad choice. In other words, if your name is "Dan" do
not make your password "Dan." Change your passwords regularly and
don't give your passwords to anyone! Tell your family that combinations of
letters, numbers and symbols are harder to crack than just words.
5. Protect computers with
firewalls.
Install firewalls for your
family-it is not difficult. A firewall helps prevent hackers from breaking into
your computer or the computers that belong to your family. Firewalls help
prevent thieves from stealing and using private information including your phone
number and credit card numbers, which may be stored on a family computer.
6. Do not share access to
your computers with strangers. Learn about file sharing risks.
Your computer operating system
may allow other computers on a network, including the Internet, to access the
hard-drive of your computer in order to "share files". This ability to
share files can be used to infect your computer with a virus or look at the
files on your computer if you do not pay close attention. Check your operating
system and other program help files to learn how to disable file sharing. Do not
share access to your computer with strangers!
7. Disconnect from the
Internet when not in use.
The Internet is a two-way road.
You get information and also send information. Turning off the Internet makes
sure that someone else on the Internet can't enter your computer and cause harm.
Disconnecting your computer from the Internet when you are not online lessens
the chance that someone will be able to access your computer.
8. Back-up your computer
regularly.
Help your family back up all
household computers onto external media such as CD's or diskettes.
9. Regularly download
security protection update "patches".
Security flaws are regularly
found in operating systems and application software. Companies that make
software release quick fixes called "patches" that you should install
to correct the latest software flaw. It is a good idea to check for security
updates on the publisher's Web site for all the software you own.
10. Help your family to
check computer security on a regular basis.
Evaluate
computer security at least twice a year. To help remember, do it when you change
the clocks for daylight-savings time! Check for all of the items listed
previously.
