Here is something I wrote a while ago, but thought it would be good here:
Passwords
Web Surfing
Passwords
- Change your passwords regularly. If you have trouble remembering them write them down and keep them in a safe place.
- Always try to use letters and numbers in your passwords.
- Do not use passwords for important things such as bank accounts, investing accounts that is your anniversary, childs birthday or one easy to remember like 123456. Use these for games and forums or not at ALL!
- Never attach passwords to your desktop or laptop! If your laptop is ever stolen you just gave the thief a nice bonus. Even for your home PC...do you really know who else may be using your computer when your not around?
- Never use links sent from companies asking you to update your account information. 99.9% of these emails are scams called Phishing to steal your information. The site your directed to may look like the real thing, but most cases the code and been stolen and a very convincing fake is waiting to steal your information. If you ever do need to update information go directly to the site by manually typing the address or use a favorite you have previously saved and surf to your account page that way. The grammar of these emails is usually very poor and you can spot a fake pretty easily.
- Never open any attachments your unsure of, even if its from a friend! Most viruses send emails to all the users on the persons address book and then mask who the sender is. So if your friend sends you a virus you can't even be sure that they are the originator of the infected email! Look at every email attachment with intense scrutiny and don't open anything you were not expecting. If you really want to be safe call the sender and ask them, did you send me this? Please be very wary of screensavers, they seem to be a #1 source of viruses. Just because the file ends in .scr doesn't mean its a safe screen saver, it could be just about anything. If your machine is ever infected with a virus do everything you can to remove it immediately and if all else fails call a pro. The virus could be doing anything and maybe even sending personal information to the virus creator!
Web Surfing
- Never let a website push you around to install ANYTHING on your computer. If you ever get a pop-up to install anything read it carefully and make sure to select the correct answer, yes | no, as some try interesting reversals to get you to click the wrong one by mistake. Selecting incorrectly may install a virus or spyware. If your browser opens ads by itself or runs strangely at times you most likely have spyware or a virus. If you do want to install something a website is offering consider if they are a trusted source. When you allow installs you are pretty much giving the keys to your computer to a stranger. Make SURE you trust them!
- If a website asks you to set their page as your homepage use caution with this as much as installing software. Ask yourself, "Do I really trust these guys?"
