Computer Flu - Good Practice Online

Stay safe on the internet

Just like you wouldn't want to walk in the wrong neighbourhood, the same applies to browsing the internet.

I bet you didn't know that your computer can get infected with spyware or a virus just by visiting a website? Well, it's true.

So don't go visiting any bad websites.

Avoid file sharing software (P2P)

Using file sharing sofware is like opening your front door wide open to the internet world at large.

You might think it's great getting free mp3s etc, but the saving is shortlived, as your computer will probably catch the flu.

Also who's to say the files you are downloading do not contain any nasties?

Read more about file sharing at the Computer Haven

You may be sharing more than you think leaving your computer open to the outside world

Use file sharing software at your own risk. Is it really worth it?

Stay safe with email

Attachments, even from someone you know, can contain viruses and other nasties. A safe practice is to 'save the attachment' to a folder, then get your virus checker (you do have a virus checker dont you?), to scan just that folder. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Avoiding Scams (also known as Phishing)

The amount of phishing scams grow by the day. By following these simple rules, you can help to avoid being scammed. Let's take a general example.

You receive an email from MidHSWest bank
It may describe that some suspicious activity has occured on your account
Please can you login to your account, to check that everything is in order, within 24 hours
Click this link to log into your account

What the scammers want you to do is click the link, to send you to a website that may well look identical to the bank/company in question. It may even display the correct www address in the address bar (this is by using an exploit in internet explorer).

By logging in, you've given the scammers both your username and password. Which is all they need to access your account.

I could repeat this example with various methods that the scammers use but, instead, if you just follow these 3 golden rules, then you'll be safe.

All reputable companies will never ask you to log in directly from an email
Always visit the site in question, by typing in your own www address (e.g. www.barclays.co.uk)
When you login to a site, always be on the looking out for the site address beginning https: (notice the s), as this is Secure

Other signs that these emails are not legitimate

Bad spelling mistakes or poor grammar
A sense of urgency - reply now
You have no dealings with the company in question

Show me some real phishing email examples

See all the latest phishing scam emails from millersmiles

See phishing examples from all the major banks and building societies

Learn more about phishing The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG)

Avoiding SPAM

If you are anything like me, you will be receiving varying amounts of spam daily. While the major Internet Service Providers are finally starting to filter out the bulk of spam emails, you can help yourself by following these few tips

Be careful where you give out your email address (this includes surveys and competitions)
Be sure to find out what companies will do with your email address (read their 'privacy policy')
Never, ever reply to spam
Never try to unsubscribe (as this confirms your email as valid) - unless you know and trust the company
Avoid swapping joke / funny emails with friends and family (before you know it, your email address is in hundreds of address books)
If you must give out your email address, sign up for a disposable one with the likes of yahoo.com and hotmail.com

And finally.... never ever, ever, buy anything from a spammer. As that is the reason they send out spam. If they send out 1 million emails, and just 1% percent respond, that's 10,000 orders.

Stay safe in chat rooms

Common sense really. You do not know who you are chatting with in chat rooms.

So, just like in real life, don't go giving out personal information, like your phone number, address, email.

And certainly never arrange to meet anyone you met in a chat room.

Don't put everything and anything on your social networking site either...as your house might get trashed.

I hope these guides help you stay safe with your computer.

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