You wouldn't swim in shark-infested waters unless you were surrounded by nice steel bars, right? Well, on the Internet, while you don't have to go to that extreme, it's nice to know you can take steps to make sure you're never a victim.
Let's first begin by realizing exactly what it is you want to protect! You need to secure your:
Luckily, it's pretty easy to help protect yourself. Here's how.
Next, make sure you aren't already infected with spyware (you'll probably be surprised at what you find!). You can freely test out your computer at ZoneAlarm or SpyWareInfo. If you need further help in removing spyware, grab a free copy of Ad-Aware. This will let you remove the majority of malware (otherwise known as "major ickness") from your computer.
Never ever submit your credit card number over the Internet unless you know it's a secure connection first (ie, the address bar at the top shows https:// instead of http://, and there should be a closed padlock at the bottom of your status bar).
Even then, that in itself doesn't mean much, as anyone with webmaster skills can set up a secure connection. Always make certain you know and trust the company from which you are buying, ie Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Compusa.com, etc.
Next, never ever respond to an email that states, your account has been frozen, click here to release it. Even worse, never ever EVER submit your personal details should you be unlucky enough to venture on such a site! Repeat 37 times to yourself - no legit company will send you email asking you for your password. It's common sense - they already have! your password on their files.
There are tons more information about protecting yourself online. Some great resources I've found are:
Want more information? Check out:
Is It Safe? Protecting Your Computer, Your Business, and Yourself Online
Editorial Reviews ... Product Description | Is It Safe? PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER, YOUR BUSINESS, AND YOURSELF ONLINE IDENTITY THEFT. DATA THEFT. INTERNET FRAUD. ONLINE SURVEILLANCE. EMAIL SCAMS. Hacks, attacks, and viruses. The Internet is a dangerous place. In years past, you could protect your computer from malicious activity by installing an antivirus program and activating a firewall utility. Unfortunately, that’s no longer good enough; the Internet has become a much darker place, plagued not only by rogue software but...more
The Dark Side of the Internet: Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Online Criminals
Customer Reviews Rating: 5 Date: 2007-04-10 Summary: A 'must' not just for college-level collections strong in social issues or crime prevention ... Internet's promises also lead to new threats as terrorists recruit new members and raise money from internet scams and psychological manipulation. THE DARK SIDE OF THE INTERNET: PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM ONLINE CRIMINALS helps readers recognize the danger signs of internet threats, from spyware to auctions and cyberstalking. Each topic receives in-depth history, overviews of 'how' and discussions of recovery, fraud, and protection measures. A 'must' not just for college-level collections strong in social ...more
Editorial Reviews ... Product Description | In less than a decade, personal computers have become part of our daily lives. Many of us come into contact with computers every day, whether at work, school or home. As useful as the new technologies are, they also have a darker side. By making computers part of our daily lives, we run the risk of allowing thieves, swindlers, and all kinds of deviants directly into our homes. Armed with a personal computer, a modem and just a little knowledge, a thief can easily access confidential information,...more
Protecting Yourself Online: The Definitive Resource on Safety and Privacy in Cyberspace
Customer Reviews Rating: 5 Date: 1999-01-07 Summary: Had to counter that one-star review ... Sure, it's not too detailed, and sure, a lot of tech people are already going to be familiar with a lot of the information in it, but for novices, it's great. It's a great book to give the uncle who keeps sending you false virus alarms, or the grandmother that doesn't understand the civil liberties implications of the Communications Decency Act -- or the cousin that thinks hackers are going to break into her bank account if she buys a modem. ...more
Editorial Reviews [1] ... Amazon.com | Too many cyberspace pundits fail to deliver constructive ideas on how to deal with issues of safety, privacy, and censorship online. Protecting Yourself Online , penned by members of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), is a splendid exception that makes good on its claim to be the definitive resource for practical solutions to these problems. The authors cover a lot of territory in a concise, direct manner. Among the topics are free expression and online censorship, reconciling individual...more
[2] ... Product Description | Like any new frontier, cyberspace offers both exhilarating possibilities and unforeseen hazards. As personal information about us travels the globe on high-speed networks, often with neither our knowledge nor our consent, a solid understanding of privacy and security issues is vital to the preservation of our rights and civil liberties. In reaping the benefits of the information age while safeguarding ourselves from its perils, the choices we make and the precedents we establish today...more
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