Good tips to be safe while on your computer?

Answer 1

if you are not using your internet, disable your network, so you won't get fishing stuff and spam.

Answer 2

- Never post in an email anything you would not be willing to see on a billboard on a highway
- Never read email from an unknown source
- Never click an address in an email even from a known source: TYPE the URL into the address bar IF you MUST use the link (e.g. a confirmation URL of some sort from a known account...)
- Use none or as little as possible personally identifiable information on the computer, and don't store it there
- Use DIFFERENT passwords for all accounts for which you use passwords: memorize and do not write them down, and make them strong (combinations of upper/lowercase letters and numbers)
- Use antivirus/antispyware/firewall software and keep it up-to-date
- Keep frequent backups, including offsite copies

Answer 3

If you aren't sure what to look for to stay safe online, there are programs that can help you. It sounds like the ZoneAlarm ForceField might be perfect for you. It acts as a barrier between you and in the internet, so not of the spyware, phishing sites, malicious downloads, etc can get through to and then damage your computer. It alerts you whenever you are browing to something risky, too. I'm helping recruit users for our free beta and i hope ForceField might be the exact sort of program you're looking for.

Hope this helps!
~Lauren
www.zonealarm.com/forcefield

Answer 4

Don't blindly download software which could contain bundled adware, spyware and malware of the sort.

Don't input your personal information into any web site; unless you're purchasing something and the site is secure.

Don't share any personal detail with any other internet user.

Keep your PC up to date with security features such as a virus scanner and a firewall.

The rest is all up to you, how you use your machine, what you to with it and what you put on it.

Surf smart, download smart.

Answer 5

Only go to TRUSTED Web sites. NEVER open or reply to Emails that come from unsolicited sources.
Secure your wireless network if you have one and enable MAC address filtering.

Answer 6

make sure to use an antivirus/firewall* that is up to date

[* a real firewall not windows' one] also occasionally run spyware programs and make sure to scan all files downloaded before opening