Internet Safety & Security
The internet puts a wealth of information at
your finger tips. You can visit sites that contain information
about any subject. The Internet of itself is neither good nor
evil, it can be used for either. It contains both useful sites and
offensive sites.
Offensive sites include sexually explicit, immoral, illegal, and
destructive (where you can pick up viruses, etc.) sites. The purpose of this article is to give you information and strategies
to protect you and your computer from the offensive sites on the internet.
For safe surfing on the Internet, you
need to protect your computer and you and your family. To
protect your computer you need to do the following: 1) keep your
computer up-to-date with the latest updates for your operating system
(usually Windows), 2) have an up-to-date antivirus program
installed on your computer, 3) have up-to-date adware and
spyware blocking programs, and 4) have a firewall to block
against hackers. To protect you and your family you may want
to use a website blocking program which blocks offensive
websites from being displayed.
Keep your
computer Up-to-date with the Latest Updates for Your Operating System
Microsoft Windows has a very good step by step article on protecting
your computer. It takes you through the process step by step.
Their three steps are: 1) use an internet firewall,
2) Get computer updates, and 3) use up-to-date
antivirus software. Visit the following link:
Protect Your PC for complete details.
For those who have Apple computers,
visit the following link:
Apple Product Security.
Have an
Up-to-date Antivirus Program Installed on Your Computer
Antivirus software helps protect your computer against most
viruses, worms, Trojans, and other unwanted invaders that can damage
files or even make your computer unusable.
To protect your computer from viruses,
you must have an up-to-date antivirus program that automatically
updates itself. Most antivirus software that you buy or comes
preinstalled on a computer comes with only 12 months of automatic
updates. If you have an antivirus program on your computer, open
the antivirus program to see when the subscription expires. If
it has expired you will need to purchase a new subscription. If you
want to use the same antivirus program, most have a link where you can
purchase an updated subscription. If you want to save money, see
Sunday Newspaper
Flyers, office supply stores
sometimes offer antivirus software for a discount or for free after
rebates.
If you have no antivirus software
installed or it is out of date, but you can't afford to purchase it
(cost usually $40+), see the following links below for free antivirus
software. They generally give you a free 12 month subscription
for free.
Before installing a new antivirus
program, be sure to uninstall the old antivirus program first!
Have Up-to-date
Adware and Spyware Blocking Programs Installed on Your Computer
Adware and spyware programs can
be installed on your computer when you visit certain websites without
your knowledge or permission. Adware programs causes advertising
banners and popup ads to be displayed on your computer. Spyware
programs sends data back to a third party without asking you for
permission, they can install tracking cookies (send data back of the
websites you have visited), dialers (cause your computer to dial &
connect to pornographic websites or websites where you are billed for
your time connected without your permission), keystroke loggers
(records keys that are pressed and the record of the keystrokes sent
to another site - capture credit card # or SS#) , and browser
highjackers (forces your browser to go to a site without you doing
anything). If you get too many adware and spyware programs
installed on your computer, you may find you can no longer connect to
the internet without removing them. In addition they may slow
your computer down significantly.
There are many adware and spyware
removal programs available. For more information and products
available see:
getnetwise.org and
toptenreviews.com - Anti-Spyware Software Review.
The price ranges from $30+.
If you have no adware or spyware
remover software installed and you can't afford to purchase it, see
the following links for free adware & spyware removal programs.
For the best protection I recommend you install & use all 3.
To remove adware & spyware that is on
your computer, be sure to run Spybot and Ad-aware weekly. Be
sure to update them before running the programs. Also update
SpywareBlaster at the same time.
Have a Firewall to
Block Against Hackers
A firewall is a software
program or a piece of hardware that creates a protective barrier
between your computer and potentially harmful content and hackers on
the Internet. I will discuss software firewalls only.
Without a firewall, an unauthorized person (hacker) on the internet
could take control of your computer to do anything they want with it.
If you have a broadband internet connection (DSL or Cable) you need a
firewall. If you use a phone dial-up modem, a firewall isn't
essential.
There are several firewall software
programs available. For more information and products
available see:
getnetwise.org and
firewallguide.com - Home PC Firewall Guide. Firewall
software starts at $40. If you
need a software firewall program, but can't afford the $40 or more for
one, I recommend Zone Alarm Free version. It is free for home
use with free updates. It doesn't have all the whistles & bells
that comes with the Pro version, but will protect your computer.
Click on
Zone Alarm Downloads to download.
Use a Website
Blocking Program (Parental Control Software)
Web blocking software is used
to protect your kids from exposure to sexually explicit and offensive
websites. There are several web blocking software programs
available. For more information and products available see:
getnetwise.org and
toptenreview.com - Internet Filter Review.
Web blocking software starts at $40.
If you need a web blocking program, but
can't afford the $40 or more for one, I recommend we-blocker internet
blocking software. It is the only free web blocking software
currently available that I am aware of. Click on
we-blocker to
download.
Internet Safety &
Security Websites
For additional information,
here is a list of internet safety & security websites you may find
helpful.
Other Sites of Interest for
Internet Safety & Security
If you have any questions or need
assistance, email me at
jeffbowman@godlovesindy.com
by Jeff Bowman |