Safe Internet Surfing - Basics

Tips for Avoiding Spyware and Other Threats on The Internet

You may think that spyware and other malicious actors on the internet only lurk on shady websites that you would never end up on. It turns out that spyware, software that steals your private data without consent, can hide in many places on the internet. All it takes is to end up on a “bad” page at the wrong time and spyware or malware could inject itself into your computer, even when you least expect it.

How your system could be impacted:

• You open up Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox and start browsing normally.
• You visit a website and without knowing it spyware injects itself on your computer. These malicious actors can come from a number of sources. It could come from a pop-up you click on, a deceptive link, an interactive graphic, or a seemingly harmless email.
• Spyware or malware then loads on your computer without you even knowing.
• Your computer is infected and the malicious software is now harvesting your personal information.

What makes spyware so harmful is that it is designed to run undetected. So even though you may have a firewall in place or an anti-virus software running, your system could still unknowingly be hacked.

Spyware’s goal is to collect your personal information, including credit card numbers and other financial information, usernames and passwords, and other sensitive data. Another effect could be hijacking your web browser and directing you to suspect sites or showing constant pop-ups while you’re on the internet. If you notice your computer suddenly start running slowly, this could be an effect of spyware running in the background.

Internet Browsing Safety & Security Tips

Normal use of the internet can feel safe enough, but can end up leading to malicious sites pretty quickly. Unfortunately it is relatively easy for a website or software to appear to offer valuable and reputable service without actually doing so. It is always a good idea to be critical of the websites you visit and the services you download.

Some websites may be entirely counterfeit. For example, phishing sites pose as a popular website and then try to trick you into their scams. While phishing or other scams can really exist on any website, some may leave you more vulnerable than others. Beware of software or other downloads from:

• Adult/Pornography Websites
• File Sharing Sites
• Social Networking Sites

Safety Tips For Security on the Internet

• Avoid questionable websites, especially those without HTTPS enabled.
• Don’t download software from sites you don’t trust. Be sure to pay close attention to free software and applications before you download them.
• Update your existing software often, including your operating systems. Software uses updates to patch security vulnerabilities.
• Make sure you have privacy and security settings fully enabled.
• Rather than clicking links or banners in an email or on the web, simply type the website into the address bar.
• If you have an anti-virus or other security software installed on your products, make sure it is reputable and up-to-date.
• Use browser extensions and other safety products to block tracking and other malicious scripts from loading.