Be Safe Online
(NAPSI)-Being on
guard online can help protect your information, your computer-even
yourself. Experts say these seven practices can help you be safe while
surfing.
1. Protect your personal information. It's
valuable.
To minimize your risk of identity theft, don't share your personal
information unless you know how it will be used and protected. Don't
reply to or click on links in any e-mail asking for your personal
information.
2. Know who you're dealing with. When shopping
online, look for a seller's physical address and a working telephone
number. Before downloading free software, read the fine print-some
downloads come with spyware.
3. Use antivirus software and a
firewall, and update both regularly. Look for antivirus software that
recognizes current viruses, as well as older ones; effectively reverses
the damage; and updates automatically. If your firewall was shipped in
the "off" mode, turn it on, and be sure to set it up properly.
4.
Be sure to set up your operating system and Web browser software
properly, and update them regularly. Select security settings high
enough to reduce your risk of being hacked. Make sure to regularly
update your system with the latest patches.
5. Protect your
passwords. Keep your passwords in a secure place, and don't share them
on the Internet, over e-mail, or on the phone.
6. Back up
important files. If you have important files stored on your computer,
copy them onto a removable disc and store it in a safe place.
7.
Learn who to contact if something goes wrong online. Visit
OnGuardOnline.gov and click on "File a Complaint" to learn how to
respond if problems occur when you're online.
The website also
provides practical tips (including the ones above) from the federal
government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against
Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal
information.
Protect your personal information-It's valuable.
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