7 golden Internet security rules

There is a lot of junk and crazy crap happening on the Internet these days and you can never be too safe.  Just because you have Anti-virus software does not make you protected or safe.  Think of it this way, just because you use a condom…that does not mean you cannot still get pregnant or get an STD.  The Internet is full of nasty STD’s that can cause some serious burn.  If you follow these 7 rules, you may help protect yourself even more.

“You can’t be too safe,” said Jeff Fox, technology editor at Consumer Reports. People are more savvy today about online security, says Fox, “but a lot more education is needed. You need to be street-smart, the way you are in the real world.”

In an interview with CNN, Fox listed seven common online blunders that make people vulnerable to viruses and theft, and offered tips on how to avoid them:

Assuming your security software is protecting you
Just because you install it and run it, does not mean it cannot happen to you.  Your best bet is to run a security program that makes you answer questions to learn your habits.  it is frustrating at first but that means it is working.  Always make sure your software is up to date as new viruses and variations of old ones come out every day.  Along with virus issues, there is Malware/Spyware that can cause just as much if not more damage.

Accessing an account through an e-mail link
In short, don’t do it. If you get an email from your bank asking you to update financial or personal information, there’s a good chance it’s actually from a “cybercrook” seeking to empty your account. Such “phishing” scams allow criminals to steal your logins, account numbers and other sensitive data.  These e-mails are especially insidious because they come adorned with genuine corporate logos and look legitimate.  “This stuff has gotten so sophisticated that it’s pretty much impossible for people to know … if the e-mail is real or not,” Fox said.  Because of this, most banks have stopped sending out e-mails asking for updated customer information, said Fox, who thinks the ones that still do should stop. People who must access an online account should do so by typing the institution’s address in their browser, he said.

Using a single password for all online accounts
Yes, trying to remember a bunch of passwords can be a serious pain but it can also limit your chance of having everything hacked in one fell swoop.  Some cybercriminals use code-cracking software, which uncovers passwords by trolling through millions of common number-letter combinations.  “If somebody manages to get hold of your password … they basically have entree to all your accounts,” Fox said. “You’re making it easier for them to impersonate you.”  Fox suggests using variations on the same password to make them easier to recall. He also recommends a complex password with at least eight characters, including numerals or punctuation symbols, to thwart thieves’ computers.

Downloading free software
It is okay to do this, but you had better make sure the source is well known and trusted.  Remember, if it is too good to be true…then chances are it will bite you in the *** later.  Some “free” software comes loaded with spyware, which clogs your computer with ads or employs a keystroke-capture program to steal your personal information. Fox recommends downloading only from such reputable sites as Download.com or SnapFiles.com, or, if you have a PC, scanning it with Windows Defender software.

Thinking your Mac shields you from all risks
Macs are much less susceptible to viruses and spyware than PCs. But surveys show that may breed a false sense of security among Mac owners, who still fall prey to phishing scams at about the same rate as Windows users.  Until Apple beefs up Safari, Fox recommends using another browser with phishing protection, such as the latest version of Firefox.

Clicking on a pop-up ad that says your PC is not secure
This is one of the most famous attacks of all time and to this day it still works.  Unless a pop up window comes up from your software you have loaded, never click on these messages.  Danger Will Robinson Danger.  It’s easy to click inside the ad by mistake and be redirected to a spyware site or have malicious software downloaded to your computer. In a recent Consumer Reports survey, 13 percent of respondents said they did just that.  Instead, Fox recommends clicking on the tiny “close” button in the ad’s upper left or right corner. Or better yet, enable your browser’s pop-up blocker or use a free one from Google Toolbar.

Shopping online the same way you do in stores
Shopping online is a huge business anymore but is also the most dangerous way to shop.  One of the biggest problems for companies today is employees shopping online from work.  Not only do you run the risk of infecting your PC but the entire company.  On the Internet, you can’t always be sure who you’re doing business with. When entering your address and credit card information, make sure the site’s URL says “https,” which offers greater security than “http.” Don’t shop online with debit cards, which, if stolen, offer no liability protection, Fox said.  Fox suggests using one credit card for most of your business transactions and a separate card for your online purchases. That way if a hacker steals your credit card number and you must replace the card, it won’t disrupt your gym memberships or other accounts.  Finally, some banks (Citibank is one) will even issue you a temporary, one-time credit card number for specific transactions, Fox said. If stolen, it’s completely worthless.

posted  by: Myke Reinhold

This entry was posted on 21. August 2008 at 08:28 and is filed under Internet, Security. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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