| The internet can be a dangerous place. Personal | | | | Spyware or Trojans can be contained in shareware |
| computers are expensive and decent internet access | | | | or downloads, too. Spyware installs itself on your |
| is certainly not cheap. You have insurance on your | | | | computer and tracks you online. It can report your |
| car and your home. You buy warranties for | | | | surfing habits and tailors advertisements especially to |
| electronics. So why aren't you protecting your | | | | you. |
| computer investment as well? | | | | Poor internet safety can result in damage to your |
| Online Dangers | | | | computer equipment, lost or deleted files, hacking, |
| There are many dangers on the internet and the list | | | | and even identity theft. This is a heavy price to pay |
| is growing daily. Most users are aware of spam, but | | | | when protecting yourself can be so simple. |
| fail to realize exactly what can be contained in those | | | | Protecting Yourself Online |
| junk messages cluttering up your inbox. | | | | The most obvious way to protect yourself online is |
| A spam message can contain malware, or a program | | | | to practice safe surfing. Avoid downloading anything |
| or virus that implants in your computer, which | | | | not from a reputable company. Don't submit your |
| damages your property, performs unauthorized | | | | personal information on a website without checking |
| functions, or leaves your system open to intruders. | | | | for legitimacy. Avoid giving out your email address or |
| Malware can also include the kinds of programs that | | | | create one to test new websites. If you start |
| search your computer for sensitive information | | | | getting spam to your test email, you'll know the site |
| including credit cards or bank information. | | | | is not reputable. |
| Some emails appear to be legitimate, but are fake. | | | | Another important way to protect yourself is to |
| These can appear to be from your bank or other | | | | install a firewall, popup blocker and software to |
| reputable institution and usually alert you to | | | | detect and remove malware. Currently, Mozilla Firefox |
| something about your account. This is called phishing, | | | | is the best solution to internet risks. The browser |
| and if you put in your information without realizing it | | | | comes with popup blockers and a firewall, and has |
| is a scam, it is very likely you will be a victim of | | | | many other patches and options available for |
| identity theft. | | | | downloads that can add additional convenience and |
| Email attachments can contain viruses or Trojans. A | | | | security. Firefox is free for download and the |
| virus may or may not cause any harm to your | | | | add-ons are free as well. Firefox is well known to be |
| system, but a Trojan will. A Trojan can easily crash | | | | dependable and easy to use. It is one of the best |
| your hard drive, erase all of your files or start | | | | ways to protect yourself while on the internet. In |
| searching for your sensitive information. It can also | | | | fact, over 400 million people are already using Firefox |
| leave your system open to hackers. | | | | to keep themselves safe. |
| Downloading programs can be dangerous as well. | | | | |