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