Internet Search

It is important that when we are surfing the Internet we are aware of the many cyber threats that are on the web. You wouldn't travel to an unknown area without first doing some research (or maybe you would, in which case I will not be traveling with you anytime soon). By clicking on something you shouldn't, you are making yourself vulnerable to a costly mistake. Viruses, spyware, worms, scareware, and Trojan horses are a just a few of the many threats that could ruin your computer. To prevent this one should install anti-virus software. Also, it is a good idea to have a firewall and anti-spyware em-placed. Updating your Internet browser, and restarting your computer regularly will also prevent you from the latest threats. Even with anti-virus and preventive software, we must use caution when browsing the Internet. Nothing is 100% guaranteed, so it is a good idea to backup your computer frequently in the event your computer does crash due to a virus.

Internet Safety

It is important to first understand that anyone and everyone is vulnerable to identity theft and Internet scams. The first step towards being safer is understanding the threats that are on the Internet. Once you have familiarized yourself with how they work, you can more readily identify them.

A fundamental element in Internet safety is having a strong password, and having more than one. What you should not use in your password includes: birth dates, a family members name, or a hobby. What you should use in your password is a combination of upper and lower case letters, a few numbers, and if possible a few special characters. If you cannot come with a good password on your own you can always use a password generator. By doing this you are reducing the chances of a hacker attaining any vital information.

It is bad practice to write your passwords down. If you have trouble remembering them you can use a password manager to encrypt and store them online for you.

Social Media

Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have become extremely popular over the last decade, and are used by many different kinds of people, young and old. They allow you to keep in touch with friends you may rarely see. However, social media has opened up many new kinds of threats. For example, if your profile is not set to private, anyone can view your pictures and information. It is a good idea to never post your phone number, birthday, address or work information unless you are certain it is set to private. Even then it might be a good idea not to post such information.
Posting pictures on social media is a great way to share with your friends and family. However, it also can be a signal to burglars that you are out of town and your house becomes an easy target. If you are going to post vacation pictures, do it after. Also be aware that certain geographical settings, if not turned off, will display your location at the time of a post.