Dos and don’ts on Internet security

Hackers love people who surf the Internet without realising the pitfalls that go with it. This is particularly true of those who are ready to click on any unlicenced software or unsolicited email, so long as they are getting some information or application for free. Before long, their computer could come under attack from hackers anywhere in the globe. However, if you follow these simply hints, you should be largely free of hackers and the things they do.

Say ‘no’ to porn

A moment’s pleasure could lead to hours and even days of pain. We are talking about accessing porn sites. Not only are these most commercial, they are also the prime target of hackers. There are those who replicate the exact look and feel of a website, but with a slightly different URL. You might mistakenly enter your credit card number and poof, all your bank balance could vanish with it. Another fallout of visiting a porn site is the way your email gets circulated to all and sundry and soon enough, your inbox will be full of trash mail. But the worst possibility is opening your computer up to viruses and worms that could invade your system and divulge sensitive information to a stranger sitting somewhere in cyberspace.

Emails from banks

Be aware of this common scam that is still conning several people into revealing their bank user IDs and passwords. The thing is, these so-called emails from banks look like they came from your bank, Ebay or Paypal. They will say something to the effect of your account needing urgent attention. They ask you to “click here” to log in and deal with the problem. Just remember that banking regulations prohibit banks from asking you to either reveal your bank number of your password. If the email is a fake, clicking on that link will take you to a page which looks like the real thing, but is actually a fake page which is designed to get your account login information. The best way to deal with these emails is to ignore them. And if you think, it’s real, it is still best to NOT click on the link given in the mail. You would rather key in the URL of the bank yourself and log in. The only difference you could find between a fake and genuine URL is the absence of an ‘s’. Eg: https://paypal is a real website, where http://paypal isn’t. ‘S’ stands for ‘secure’.

Online cards

This is easily one of the most vulnerable of the lot. Your friend might unwittingly send you an online greeting card not realising that it could turn out to be a spy software. The way out? Avoid any online greeting card which asks you install some “special” software to your computer before you are able to open the card your friend has sent. According to estimates, 90% of cases such as these are spyware applications. Some of these launch random popup ads when you are just about to open your word or excel files.

Firewall yourself

It’s best not to access the Internet directly through a modem. This allows hackers access to your system if they figure out your exact location. The best way is to use a router or a software or hardware-based firewall to guard your system from being accessed by unwanted elements in cyberspace. This becomes absolutely necessary if your computer is always on and always connected to the Internet.

Wireless security

With multiple computers at home, there are many of us who use wireless Internet. However, it’s important to secure local area network. Because if you do not, anyone can access your computer within that wireless network from outside your home. Some ISPs like Verizon’s FIOS service supply routers equipped with wireless security. And if you buy a wireless router, ensure you’ve also got yourself wireless security. Don’t operate your system unless you’ve got this on board.

Stay away from freewares and sharewares

Most sharewares and freewares have spyware embedded within them. Therefore, before installing any, it’s best to Google about the application you want to install, and see if people are complaining about adware and stuff of that nature. Kazaa is a file-sharing application. But did you know that it inundates your computer with adware once you install it? Well, there are many lesser-known ones that do that. Therefore, avoid it. And when in doubt, google.

Junk mail

There are several junk mails inundating your inbox. While some of it goes directly to your trash can, the others that make it past your email sensor might not be as innocent. In fact, it helps if you label it spam, so your email service provider identifies and dumps it in the trash can the next time this address sends you an email. But, never, and I repeat never, reply to these spam mails asking them to remove your name from their mailing list. This will not only tell them that this is a genuine ID, it will lead to many more spam mails from different email IDs. One example of a genuine email ID is where the sender clearly mentions a physical address in the email.

Forms in emails

Yes, sometimes it can get weirder. There have been cases where people have been asked to fill in surveys, information and stuff about themselves and their interests within the email itself. Now you have no idea how this email data will be used. Some have even received emails asking them for their PIN number. Therefore, desist from filling out forms in emails. Better to be safe than sorry later.

Warez sites

Much like porn sites, warez sites are as bad. The owners of these sites usually have no sense of ethics and you’re more likely to encounter PC infections on such sites. Warez software is unlicensed software. If you are one of those who find and install paid software for free by finding cracked software and installing it, it’s not without danger. To begin with, it’s illegal and could lead to stiff imposition of fines and even a jail term. But the worse part is that could make your system prone to computer viruses.

So the watchword is to stay away from the bad guys – questionable sites, unsolicited email, freeware, shareware, among others – and you will be a lot better protected from hackers and Internet scams.