Staying safe and secure in a digital world
Everyone tries to keep his or her life safe and secure. You watch around corners
and make sure your doors are locked. Why would you not want to do the same in your
digital world?
The amount of time and energy we take to secure your home and valuables should also
be taken to make sure your online identity and the safety of your computer are not
compromised. To help you do so, we have created a list of the most important steps
to keep your identity and your computer safe, with links to helpful resources that
will help you achieve that.
1. Keep your PC up to date
The most important part of the online world is keeping your computer safe from compromises
and viruses. Regularly check for updates to your Operating System (Windows, Apple
Os X, etc.), your e-mail program (Outlook, Eudora), and your other frequently used
programs (Word, Excel, Photoshop). Even the smallest program can cause you headaches
if it is not updated frequently.
2. Stop viruses before they stop you
Keeping an updated anti-virus program is not only crucial, it’s the smart thing
to do. Anti-virus companies such as McAfee and Symantec spend millions each year
to ensure that the online community is safe. Help them out by making sure your computer
is safe.
3. Do not give out your password
Your password or PIN is the only thing protecting you from outsiders. Your bank
or credit card company will never ask you to give this information to them except
to verify your account. Only provide this information if you are starting the communication
with the company (in other words, not if a link is sent to you).
4. Make sure your credit card is secure
When a website is secure you will see https in your address bar (such as https://www.Web.com.com).
Never give out credit card information or other personal information, such as social
security number, unless it is across a secure page.
5. Checking your bank statements
Every month, you should check your bank and financial statements for unusual activity.
Most major credit card companies have online alerts to notify you of unusual activity.
Check with your financial institutions for more information on their services.
6. Don’t get scammed by e-mail scams
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Bill Gates will not be sending you $100,000,000.
Online scams promise you huge incentives for doing the smallest task such as sending
a letter. Do not get scammed; there is no way to "get rich quick" in the
real world, and neither is there in the digital world.
7. Read the fine print
When installing applications, make sure you read the fine print. Most applications
give you two or more options when installing. There is the complete option and the
customized option. The complete option may be more than you bargained for, with
add-ons such as spy-ware or ad-ware. Always investigate to see if any additional
programs are included in the "complete" option that you could opt-out
of if you were selective.
8. Don’t check that box
When filling out online forms, make sure you uncheck the box usually labeled "send
me more information." When checked, this gives advertisers the ability to send
SPAM (unsolicited e-mail) and possibly share your e-mail address without your permission.
This option is usually checked by default, and you have to manually uncheck the
box.
While it is a tough job to keep out the unwanted portion of the Internet, it is
a job that everyone must do to keep the digital world safe.
Resources and Links: