Web Surfing Security
Too many computer users neglect to do the basic maintenance of their
computer. The result is a clear path to their personal information.
Hackers are diligently at work everyday trying to find the weakness in
your system so that they may be able to steal your personal
information. Others would simply like to create trouble and destroy
your hard drive.
There is a wide variety of protective software available, such as
adware removers, antivirus tools, keypatrol agents, spyware blasters
and so on. These are effective only if put to good use.
Think of yourself as a pilot doing a pre-flight inspection. The pilot
is responsible for doing a thorough inspection of his airplane before
any passenger boards the plane. He needs to be sure that all safety
precautions have been taken to guarantee that all mechanical and
electronic devices are working and that the mechanical inspections are
up to date. He needs to verify that the aircraft is in good operating
condition. Once the plane is off, it is too late to start wondering if
such and such a device is working properly.
Your computer is your responsibility. Just like a pilot needs to go
through a checklist, you also should make yourself a checklist of
things to verify before you surf the Internet. Once connected, it is
too late to realize that your system is not up to the challenge. If
your system is not checked, if you are vulnerable to the attacks, you
could pay a severe price.
You need to purchase good tools for this job. It is acceptable to try
free tools to evaluate their quality but once you have found a good
tool, purchase it and put it to work.
One of the biggest problems for the average computer owner resides in
the fact that he/she simply refuses to take the time to read about
their new tool. They would like to simply buy it, install it and never
think about it again. You need to take the time to educate yourself on
the functioning of any tool you buy.
Generally software is well written by qualified programmers.
Professionally written software will include all the instructions that
you need to obtain the best performance of the tool. If this is not the
case, keep on searching. Go to a trusted site such as CNET and read the
comments from other users about the tool you are thinking of buying.
Take the time needed to do good research and remember you are putting
all your information at risk when you connect to the Internet.
Once you are confident that the software you are purchasing is of the
highest quality, then take your time and read all the documentation
provided. Once you have done this, and only then, install the software.
Make sure to add the tool to your list of daily maintenance.
If you have not done so yet, locate and read all the recommended
procedures for the software that protects your computer.
Create a text file and save it on your desktop. You will want this file
to contain your checklist of things to do everyday before you start
surfing the Internet.
Here is a possible list of the things that should be done before you
start surfing:
1) Check your antivirus for updates. Regularly run your antivirus. If
at any time your antivirus locates a virus, you need to update your
antivirus, disconnect from the Internet and do a full scan of your
computer with the updated antivirus. Always make sure your antivirus is
actively protecting your computer.
2) Clean your computer cache and your temporary files. You can pick up
software for this at CNET: http://www.cnet.com
3) Clean your history
4) Update your adware remover. Run your adware remover. Again you can
try free adware removers from CNET but please buy the full package when
you find one that you know will protect you. You truly need all the
functions of the software, not just a portion of the functions which is
usually the case with Trial Version software.
5) Update your firewall and check the settings. Some clever hackers can
change the settings of your computer, therefore putting you at risk.
6) Check for mail protection agents and make sure that they are active.
7) Run a scandisk
8) Update your browser
This is a sample list. Create one that applies to your computer and to
the software installed on it. Keep your list updated and make sure that
you do what you put on your list. Creating a list and not following it
will be of no use.
We cannot totally protect ourselves against the perils of the Internet
but we can at least make sure that we do all that we can. Take the
proper precautions and you too can have a safe journey on the Internet.