10 Internet Security Tips

With the sudden rise in the Internet
usage across the globe over
the past few years, there has
also been a rise in the amount of
online scams and frauds. Today
most of the Internet users are
unaware of the most prevailing
online threats which pose a real
challenge for their safe Internet
usage. As a result, Online Security
has become a questionable factor
for the most Internet users.
However it is still possible to
effectively combat online insecurity
provided that the users are well
aware of the common scams and
frauds and know how to protect
themselves. A study shows that
over 91% of the Internet users are
unaware of the online scams and
are worried about their security.
Well if you are one among those
91% then here is a list of 10 tips to
ensure your total online security.
1. Always install a good antivirus
software and keep it up-to-date.
Also install a good anti-spyware to
keep your PC away from spywares.

2. Always visit known and trusted
websites. If you are about to visit an
unknown website, ensure that you
do not click on suspectable links and
banners.
3. Perform a virus scan on the files/
email attachments that you
download before executing them.
4. Regularly Update your operating
system and browser software. For
a better security it is recommended
that you surf the Internet through
the latest version of your browser
program.
5. Never share your password
(email, bank logins etc.) with any
one for any reason. Choose a
strong password (A blend of
alphanumeric+special symbols) and
change it regularly, eg. every 3
months. Avoid using easy-to-guess
passwords. (ex. pet ’s name or kid’s
name)
6. Always type the URL of the
website in your browser ’s address
bar to enter the login pages. For ex.
To login to your Gmail account type
http://mail.google.com
7. Before you enter your password
on any login page, ensure that you
see https instead of http. ex.
https://mail.google.com instead
of http://mail.google.com.
HTTPS protocol implements SSL
(Secure Sockets Layer) and provide
better security than a normal HTTP.
8. Beware of phishing emails! Do
not respond to any email that
request you to update your login
details by clicking on a link in the
body of the email. Such links can
lead to Fake Login Pages (Spoofed
Pages). For more information on
phishing refer What is Phishing?.
Also refer How to Protect an
Email Account from being
Hacked .
9. Always hit the logout button to
close your login session rather than
abruptly terminating the browser
window. Also clear your web
browser caches after every session
to remove the temporary files
stored in the memory and hard disk
of your PC.
10. Avoid (Stop) using any public
computers or computers in
the Internet cafes to access any
sensitive/confidential information.
Also avoid such computers to login
to your email/bank accounts. You
cannot be sure if any spyware,
keystroke-logger, password-sniffer
and other malicious programs have
not been installed on such a PC.
By following the above 10 tips your
online security can be guaranteed
upto 90%. I hope this will help my
readers for keeping themselves safe
from any of the online insecurities.
Cheers! Pass your comments.