Keep Yourself Safe on the Internet

Every year, as the holidays approach, nefarious individuals roll out old techniques to steal data and information from computer users.  Each year that add additional tactics to their arsenal as well.

Each of us who has a computer is using that computer to access Internet locations throughout the day.  Each of us is also unique and no one uses the Internet in the same way.

What you do on the Internet is NOBODY else's business. And it can be a big deal if you're not careful.

Here are a few tips that will significantly protect your privacy:

1. Log Out of Search Engines:


Many of today's popular search engines now require you to log in to access all their  convenient features.  Those features might include calendars, branded e-mail, file storage, and news sources. 

Whatever you're searching for and looking at, you want privacy as part of those online searches, because your privacy is something you never want to loose.


2. Avoid Filling out Unnecessary Forms:

Ask yourself why the website you are on is asking for that personal information and think twice before putting it in.

Many sites store your information on their servers and not all of those servers are as secure as they should be.  If you do fill out a form, make certain the only use of the information you enter will be by the vendor or website, and that it will not be sold to other sites or businesses.

Avoid completing forms or using banking sites when you are on public WiFi networks.  Keep your personal information away from the public’s eye.


3. Be Careful What You Download:


When you download ANY file you are at risk of installing malware and viruses which can potentially track anything you do, freeze your computer and make it malfunction, erase your files and operating system or even encrypt your files and hold them hostage until you pay for an unlock key.

As a general rule of thumb, if you receive an attachment you were not expecting, or receive an attachment or link in an e-mail from a total stranger, DELETE the message.  DO NOT download the file or open the link.


4. Be Cautious When Using Social Media:


Assume everybody has access to your site, and always will.  Never post vacation dates in advance, and never post photographs of where you are while you are traveling.  Burglars watch social media sites and frequently use that information to conveniently schedule break-ins while you are away from home.

If your birth date is public, you talk about where you were born, or give your parents names, you may have given them all they need to hack your bank and credit card accounts.

Think carefully before posting information or photos.


5. Use Common Sense:


This is probably the best advice we can give you. The Internet mirrors the physical world. What goes on in the real world also happens on the Internet.

If it's too good to be true, then it probably is.


6. Monitor Your On Line Reputation:


Regularly search for your name and see what comes up.  You can also use an automated news-alert from either Google and Yahoo to monitor your name.


7. Clean Your Search History:

Everything you do on Internet is stored on your computer. Including: every website you visit, every photo and video you view and every chat message you send including passwords. All this information can be accessed by ANYONE.

Important that after every use you’ll delete all your tracks from your computer.   This is done via your browser.  Each browser is slightly different, but the information is available in the browser's help file.