Staying safe when using the internet.

Your future could be at risk!

Your home, Your identity, Your money, Your job, Your personal information.

Failure to maximise security could result in identity theft or worse. There are some simple precausionery measures that you should take;

Update your windows and office with the latest service pack.

http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/default.aspx (Microsoft Office)

Microsoft’s Windows Update website (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) (Windows)

Popular anti virus programs;

• http://free.grisoft.com (AVG Antivirus Free)
• http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_9xnt/ (Norton Antivirus)
• http://www.sophos.com/products/sav/ (Sophos Antivirus)
• http://www.pandasoftware.com/home/default.asp (Titanium Antivirus)
• http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm (Trend Micro PC-cillin)
• http://www.mcafee.com (McAfee VirusScan)

Popular spyware blockers;

• http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html (Spybot Search & Destroy)
• http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/spysweeper/ (Spy Sweeper)
• http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php (Ad-aware SE Personal)

Popular online anti-virus scanners;

• http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
• http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm

Acrobat PDF files are used extensively a free upgrade is available.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html (Acrobat Reader)

Adobe Flash Player is used on many website

http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash (Adobe Flash Player)

Installing a firewall, could prevent unauthorised access of your computer.

• http://www.zonealarm.com (ZoneAlarm)
• http://www.mcafee.com (McAfee Personal Firewall)
• http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/ (Norton Personal Firewall)

Hackers use automated software to break passwords.

Create a complex password and never save it in your computer. Also consider changing the password regularly.

• http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password.mspx
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-002.html
• http://www.symantec.com/homecomputing/library/pass_w.html

Back up your data,

One option is USB pen drives that come in sizes upto 8GB. You can store all of your music, documents, photos and that you can carry on your keychain.

Internet safety for parents, children and teachers.

The internet

has been widely used to distribute abusive material. However a number of organisations are working to stop the distribution of this type of material and maybe help stop the suffering endured by the general internet surfer.

ThinkUKnow offers people of all ages information about internet sites. Users can report Cyber Bullying, Harmful Content, Sexual Behaviour, Viruses and more…

Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) Using the IWF website members of the public can report:

• child abuse (from anywhere in the world)
• obscene content hosted in the UK
• racist content hosted in the UK

Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT)

Comprises of international law enforcement agencies. Their mission is to make the internet a safer place. by helping children at risk and bringing perpetrators to justice. Their website includes an online reporting facility.

Stop It Now Is a partnership of children’s charities working with government and agencies to prevent child sexual abuse. They also give advice to parents if a child is displaying worrying behaviour.

Get Safe Online website is aimed at home users and small businesses, with information on ways to protect yourself from internet criminals. Topics include: firewalls, viruses, spyware, online banking and shopping.

You can help make the internet safer by reporting websites that break the law!!