Protecting Yourself Online

The world of computers is ever expanding at an incredible rate. With virtually everyone connecting through technology, it’s in everybody’s best interest to know how to better protect themselves from cybercriminals who have a malicious agenda – like stealing your information, or worse; cooking your computer.

A solid start to being protected is to be educated and informed. I’m going to talk a little about being a proactive end user and give you some tips for protecting yourself, your data and your computer.

There are a number of ways that you could find yourself in a sticky situation while using your internet connected computer. I’m sure you know someone or have heard stories about people falling victim to a computer virus that turned their world upside down, but with a little know how, many of these incidents can be avoided.

1.) I would suggest that before anything else, especially if you use your computer a lot for work and have any important files that you do not want to lose: Create a Backup. Preferably on an external hard drive or on a cloud platform. This way if you do fall victim to nasty computer virus, your files are safe.

2.) Get a dependable Anti-Virus Program. There are some free versions of Anti-virus software out there but depending on how much you value your information and PC, purchasing a subscription would be a very smart investment.  Some of the top rated Anti-Virus programs on the market right now are Bitdefender, Kaspersky and Norton. Each have different features but all have the same M.O – to protect your PC.

3.)  Be cautious of the way you communicate with websites and people on the Internet (instant messaging or chatrooms) This seems like common sense but I feel as though I have to say it anyways, i.e. be very cautious when filling out personal information and If you plan to order from an online store, be sure that the Web site uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the Web address begins with https. Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears at the bottom right of the checkout screen, or that there is a statement on the checkout screen stating that the pages are secure with a security technology vendor. Check that the security technology does exist by checking the security technology company’s web site.

4.) Watch out for phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and fake websites, masquerading as legitimate businesses, to lure unsuspecting users into revealing private account or login information. To be safe, if you receive an email from a business that includes a link to a web site, make certain that the web site you visit is legitimate. Instead of clicking through to the site from within the email, open a separate Web browser and visit the business’ web site directly to perform the necessary actions. You can also verify that an email is in fact from a legitimate business by calling the business or agency directly.

5.) Be cautious of programs you install on your computer. This is primarily how people get viruses on their computer.  Often malicious software is disguised as an attachment to an e-mail often sent by a fake e-mail account (from a long lost relative, a far away friend etc.), the unsuspecting victim opens the attachment and then it’s too late. If you have a solid Anti-Virus program installed on your PC, it SHOULD pick up the suspicious programs and viruses but it’s never a 100% guarantee. I highly recommend downloading a program called Malwarebytes – it’s free and very effective in removing potentially harmful software from your computer. The only tricky part about it is to remember to do a scan every once in awhile, especially if you do a lot of downloading from the internet.

With these tools under your belt, you are already ahead of the game.  You may have already prevented the inevitable.  Stay safe and most importantly, have fun. The internet is endless and can be very helpful when used properly. Happy surfing!