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Internet Safety Guide

Most people install anti-spyware and anti-virus software. They believe that this alone will protect their computer from damage and data loss. The key to keeping your PC safe online is to change your behaviour. Follow the rules below and trouble free computing is possible.

 1. Don't open unexpected email attachments even if it seems to be from someone you recognize. If you are unsure about a particular attachment call the sender and ask them about it.

2. Don't click links in e-mail. Links often appear to lead to one internet address but send you somewhere completely different. Links may take you to websites that spread viruses or steal your personal information.

3. Don't use HTML e-mail. Configure you e-mail client to use plain text email. With plain text what you see is what you get therefore malicious code cannot hidden  in such an e-mail.

Configure Thunderbird for plain text e-mail.

Configure Outlook and Outlook Express for plain text e-mail.

3. Don't download files and programs from unverified sources. Use trusted websites such as download.com, filehippo.com or snapfiles.com. Always remember the basic rule, if it looks too good to be true it probably is!

4. Update your operating system and programs regularly. Security patches are released monthly by Microsoft so make sure you get them.

5. Use a firewall (preferably a hardware router). A firewall secures against unauthorized access to your computer or network. In layman’s terms it controls which programs can send information to someone on the internet and what others can send to you.