RULES FOR SAFE COMPUTING ON THE INTERNET

Last Updated: 10-29-16

It is easier to prevent Internet related computer problems than fix them. Once a virus or other nasty gets on to your computer it can be very difficult to remove it. Most do not realize that even quality antivirus and anti-malware programs cannot always do a good job of cleaning an infected system. So, prevention is the key. It used to be that once upon a time you could connect your computer to the Internet and not worry about much of anything. Those days are long gone. The Internet is a very dangerous place!

FACT: An unprotected computer connected to the Internet will be infected within minutes!

FACT: An unprotected computer connected to the Internet will be attacked (i.e., scanned for vulnerabilities) over twenty-five times a day!

You and your machine are targets whenever you are online, especially if you are using a cable or DSL connection. Most security threats that now exist come from depraved individuals and underworld organizations (i.e., organized crime) who are looking to steal your information or use your computer for criminal purposes. The vast majority – over 80% – of these attacks are aimed at the home computer! So, consider the following guidelines for safe computing on the Internet:

Make sure that Windows Automatic Updates is on and working properly so that all Critical Updates and Service Packs are being downloaded and installed regularly. Make sure that all of your computer programs are also kept updated and current.

Make sure that you keep Internet Explorer updated and that you are using the most current version. Better yet, don't use Internet Explorer. Do not use Microsoft Internet Explorer except for Windows Updates and for those web sites that just will not work without Internet Explorer.

Use only Mozilla Firefox or Chrome Internet Browser for all of your Internet surfing and keep it updated. Also, consider using available security addons like AddBlock Plus.

Do not use Outlook or Outlook Express or Windows Mail for your email. If you must use a stand alone email program to download email to your computer, use Mozilla Thunderbird and keep it updated. The safest way to do email is to do all your email by using an online web based mail server page maintained by your Internet Service Provider.

If your Internet Service Provider offers an Internet Security Package to protect you and your computer from Internet threats, use it. But, you must read all instructions and documentation and make sure that you understand what you are doing. (Don't use AOL or MSN as your service provider!)

You must learn about any and all your computer and Internet security programs in order to use them effectively and make sure they are working properly. An improperly set up security program is as bad – or worse! – than having no security at all.

You must use an antivirus program and keep it updated and running at all times. Most antivirus programs have automatic features to both update themselves and run scheduled scans of your system. Learn how to use them! You must make sure your antivirus program scans your computer at least once or twice a week.

You must also use several anti-spyware programs and scan and clean your system of malware at least once a week. No single anti-malware program can yet “do it all”!

The signs and symptoms of a virus or malware infection include system slowdown, frequent computer freezing or crashing, excessive popups, spontaneous system reboots, strange messages, corrupt files, programs that no longer work, and all sorts of unusual computer activity. But, the problem is, most of these can also be a sign of other computer hardware or software problems. If you experience any of these kinds of problems, do an immediate full system computer scan with your antivirus and anti-malware programs, then look for other problems elsewhere if those scans come back clean. (But, remember, it can still be a virus!)

You should never connect your computer directly to the cable or DSL modem – use a hardware router with firewall capabilities between your modem and the computer. Most of these routers will act as a kind of firewall and will put you on your own private network.

At the very least keep Windows Firewall running at all times on your computer. Make sure it is turned on. Better yet, use ZoneAlarm or another retail firewall product.

If you get a virus infection on your system, disconnect it from the Internet and your network immediately and do not reconnect to your network or the Internet until the computer is cleaned of the infection. And never assume that your system is clean after the first scan. Scan your computer with antivirus and antimalware programs until they come back completely clean a couple of times.

When cleaning a virus infection from your computer realize that many times even the best antivirus programs cannot do a thorough job! (The virus may keep coming back!) You may have to use specialized tools that target the specific virus (or viruses) you are dealing with. You may also have to use another antivirus or anti-malware product. Also, you may need the help of free online virus scanning stations.

Ransom-ware is probably one of the most diabolical Trojans out there. A few years ago I dealt with it when it was in its infancy. I recovered a client's system and files the first time. The next time it happened I could not save the computer. Now ransom-ware is all grown up and very sophisticated. If your computer gets infected there are only two things you can do: (1) Kiss your files goodbye; or, (2) Pay the ransom … and hope that you get your files back! I have personally known of a few business that have been hit by ransom-ware. They paid the ransom. So, how do you get hit by ransom-ware? Generally by not practicing safe computing. In other words by going places that you should not go on the Internet; by clicking on things you should not click; by downloading and opening files you should not download and open; by clicking on links in emails you should not click; by opening emails you should not open; etc. In other words, you get ransom-ware by usually doing something stupid! But as I was updating this web site and its links, I actually found that one of the web pages linked to had been hijacked and poisoned! It was all I could do to get out of that page and all it's pop-ups and warnings. (One warning was even audible and supposedly was from Microsoft! It included not just warnings but threats!) My antivirus caught some of it as it happened and Malwarebytes caught the rest in later scans. I dodged that bullet, but just barely. (Oh yes, I did happen to have all my files and user created data safely backed up! Do you?) All I can say is that when it comes to ransom-ware, be afraid … be very, very afraid.

Do not download any programs from the Internet unless they come from a trusted source.

Do not under any circumstance use Instant Messaging or File Sharing (P2P) Programs, especially in a SOHO environment.

Do not use MySpace or FaceBook or other social networks – they are notorious for security breaches and for spreading viruses and causing more trouble than they are worth.

Do not click on any advertisements while surfing the Internet! This is the number one reason I see people get into trouble. Do not ever click “OK” on any ad that pops up or under your browser – click the “X” in the right hand corner to carefully close it. If it does not close, learn to use Task Manager to close the rogue pop-up or program.

Do not believe any supposed error message that pops up during your Internet browsing if it says that some “product” has found problems or viruses on your computer and then instructs you to download that “product” to clean or repair your system. If you do, you will be infected or hacked – guaranteed! (I have dealt with way too many people who get these fake warnings and go ahead and succumb to the scam and pay $100 to $200 only to get infected again! And I have dealt with too many who download some fake antivirus or security program and wonder why they get all kinds of pop-ups and adware. Doesn't anyone do any research before they download a program they know nothing about?)

Some error messages that come from the Internet are designed to look like legitimate Windows system error messages in order to get you to carelessly click on them and allow them to install malicious software. Be careful. I have seen some of these programs which look real, except for one thing – Microsoft or the IRS or the US Government never notifies you through pop-ups or emails! They also don't call you on the phone about some computer problem you are supposedly having!

Never ever travel into the dark underworld of the Internet!!! If you do, you deserve what you get!

Do not ever open or answer any “spam” (i.e., junk email). The reason there is so much spam is because it works! There are just too many people that answer or worse buy into whatever is being sold.

Do not fall for phishing cons and scams “warning” you that an account of yours has a problem. No legitimate company will ever ask you for personal information using email. So, don’t ever give out any personal information through email. And, don’t ever post any personal information on the Internet or on social networking sites. If you do, it will be collected sooner or later by someone who will use it.

The best way to avoid the phishing is to never click a link in an email or on a third-party web site that supposedly takes you to a financial institution’s web page – even if it is your own financial institution. Use your own bookmark or type in the correct address yourself. Be careful with links! Hover over them with the mouse and see what they really are. Sometimes they are “spoofed” and look almost legitimate. I have dealt with a website that ended in “.com” but the legitimate site was a “.org.” The “.com” was a poisoned site! And while we are at it it's time that you noticed web addresses and pretty much stay away from any that contain the suffix domain “.ru” - for Russia. And just so you know, there are hundreds of suffix domains for all the countries out there – many of them should not be easily trusted!

Never give out any personal information to anyone on the Internet! And, while I am at it, don't use chat rooms or Internet dating sites or social networks. I have dealt with several who have done so and it has only ended badly and cost them dearly.

Trust no one who contacts you on the Internet without your permission. Even then, be careful.

If you have children, consider using Parental Blocking Programs and Tools to keep them safe while on the Internet. Do not allow your children to use the Internet unsupervised. Do not allow your children to have private Internet or email accounts or use personal, social networking web sites. Do not allow your children to frequent chat rooms or newsgroups or give out private information on the Internet. Do not allow your children to use the computer unless you know more than they do about computer and Internet safety and security and you are willing to teach them. Do not allow your children to have their own computer in their room. Make them use the family computer in the family room. (I have had one too many clients whose children have been the ones to compromise computer security and introduce viruses and pornography into the computer!)

Consider all email to be unsecured unless you specifically use encryption programs. That means that no unsecured email is truly “private.” You should assume that someone, somewhere (other than the intended recipient) may be reading your email.

Consider everything you ever post on any web site to be “permanent.” That means that it will never, ever go away! Even if you delete that information or that web page it has probably been archived by someone, somewhere, for some reason.

One last thing. Cyberwarfare is become a very real threat! There are quite a few rogue nations who are not our friends. And some of these nations have been producing the viruses and Trojans that infect our computers. And some of these nations may be placing back-doors into our computer systems through hardware and software programs they produce. And some of the programs that come from these nations may be used to even spy on you and me. And yes, even this site links to a lot of “free” software from some foreign states that may not be so “free” after all. I try to be careful and when I find that some of the software on this site may be compromised or if it may contain adware or other potentially unwanted programs, I delete them from this site. But I can't catch them all, so, “buyer beware.”

Bottom Line: You must take responsibility for your travels on the Internet. And, you need to educate yourself (and your children) to keep you and your computer safe from the dark side of the Internet. If you don’t, you will live to regret it. Too many people think that they can just buy a computer and play on the Internet without using any common sense. Too many think that they can just install some security program on their system and “set and forget” it and they think that somehow they will be magically kept safe. Internet security requires you to learn about your computer and computer safety and it requires that you always remain vigilant. No area of life is risk-free. Why should the Internet be any different from any other area of the real world? Be smart. Educate yourself about the dangers of the Internet and safe computing and you can enjoy the incredible world of the Internet.

If you want more information about security, please read Security Recommendations. If you need help in securing your computer, please read How to Secure Your Windows Computer.

Copyright © 2006-2016

Randar

A+/Network+/Server+/INet+/Linux+ CompTIA Certified Technician

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