Internet Safety and Security

[rockerchick]

This is very important. There are so many malicious websites out there. Schools and college should offer courses in this, if they don't already. I have a mental list of trusted websites, and I try to stick to it. I don't click on links that appear underneath Youtube clips. Also, I don't go to streaming sites other than Netflix because they're a trap. Whenever I check my inbox, I never open emails from people I don't know.

If anyone has more tips to add, please feel free to do so.

 

[rockerchick]

There are a lot of sexist and racist pages in cyberspace. When you enter a website, you basically enter it at your own risk. If you have small children, then it's a good idea to install filtering software. Many packages are available on the market that prevent violent content and sexually explicit websites from being seen by young eyes.

 

[rockerchick]

Large universities in Canada have been affected by Internet scams and cyberattacks. Last year, the University of Calgary paid a $20,000 ransom in bitcoins to hackers who installed malware in the campus network. A lot of people condemned the ransom payment, but university officials said it was necessary in order to restore the system which is critical to the school's operations.

Last month, it was revealed to the Canadian press that MacEwan University lost $11.8 million in a phishing scam. Emails were sent to the accounting department that requested banking information. They appeared to be from a company that actually did business with the school. However, phone calls weren't made to the actual vendor to verify the authenticity of the emails.

There is also a PayPal scam that targets average Joes. You can report the fraudulent Paypal emails to the actual PayPal company and they will investigate them for you.

 

[Tery]

1. Never open email from someone you don't know
2. Never click on a link in an email. You can "float" your mouse over the link to see if it's legit but they can use a similar name to trick you.
3. Get a good Firewall - ZoneAlarm is good
4. Get a malware scanning program - Malware Bytes is my recommendation
5. Get a cleaner/scanner program - I recommend CC Cleaner
6. Block cookies from all but trusted sites

 

[Blake]

1. Never open email from someone you don't know
2. Never click on a link in an email. You can "float" your mouse over the link to see if it's legit but they can use a similar name to trick you.
3. Get a good Firewall - ZoneAlarm is good
4. Get a malware scanning program - Malware Bytes is my recommendation
5. Get a cleaner/scanner program - I recommend CC Cleaner
6. Block cookies from all but trusted sites

Also don't lend your smart phone to anyone because they can put a stealth program on it that can trace your texting, GPS location, emails, internet use. Controlling husbands(it's more often the husband than the wife) do that if they think their wife is having an affair. These companies say that these programs are designed for employers to keep track of their employees or parents keeping track of their children but 80% who download the technology a men.

 

[Neesy]

This is very important. There are so many malicious websites out there. Schools and college should offer courses in this, if they don't already. I have a mental list of trusted websites, and I try to stick to it. I don't click on links that appear underneath Youtube clips. Also, I don't go to streaming sites other than Netflix because they're a trap. Whenever I check my inbox, I never open emails from people I don't know.

If anyone has more tips to add, please feel free to do so.

Like Jordan advised previously, clear your cookies often - they really slow down everything.

That's really all I can think of. And make sure you have good anti-virus software.

 

[Srbo]

I must be a special kind of stupid because I never think of all that.
Sure, I have an antivirus program `cause I don`t want my PC to get infected and I don`t click on links in e-mails...
But other than that...I don`t do anything special to stay protected.
Maybe I should, this got me thinking now....

 

[mal]

Check your task manager from time to time to see if any unusual processes or services are running. Look in the registry to make sure nothing weird is defined in your run or run once key. Go into your windows and system folders from time to time and hit modified date to see if anything current and unusual pops up to the top. Always assume you are being observed even if you're not. This is all windows based, not unix or apple and not android or ios. Put tape over the camera and mic holes.

 

[GNTLGNT]