Welcome to my Computer Privacy and Safety page! This is where you'll find helpful information about computer privacy and safety while you're surfing the Internet. You'll also find links to some good free products to help ward off hackers, trackers, and spam!
I have been using computers and the Internet for 13 years. When I first got started, PC's were just beginning to become available to poorer folks such as myself, and the Internet was new to common folks. Who would have foreseen that the Internet would explode into what it has become today?!? The Internet has grown from a tiny, safe community of scientists and military personnel, to a megalopolis complete with ghettos, red light districts, street corner hustlers, malls, and back alleys containing things that I don't even want to think about!
Those of us (especially women) who live in the inner cities, and large urban areas know that when we go out, we must take common sense steps to ensure our safety. Holding our purses close to us, being careful while traveling after dark, and not falling asleep on public transportation are some things that come to mind. Well, when you're on the Internet, you have to take steps to ensure your safety there, as well. You have to keep hackers from breaking into your computer and wreaking havoc, keep from being followed by tracking software, and be on the lookout for scams and scammers who want to seperate you from your money, or worse, steal your identity!
Let me give you some helpful hints concerning computer safety and privacy.
They aren't listed in any order if importance because they are all important.
I just listed them in the order that they came to my mind.
Helpful hint #1--Protect your computer against viruses and malicious code. Lots of folks receive and open e-mail attachments or visit web pages that may contain malicious code. People often don't realize that their computer is infected until it starts running very slowly for no apparent reason, or starts "acting funny". Anitvirus software is fairly inexpensive these days. Some good ones that come to mind are Norton Antivirus, McAfee, and PC-Cillin. You will really appreciate it when your antivirus program stops a virus from infecting your system!
Helpful hint #2--Keep sites from tracking your movements on the Internet. Many sites track your movement on the Internet under the guise of making things easier for you, or tailoring ads just for you. The problem is that often, you don't even know that you're being tracked, or what site is tracking you! There is a free program from a company called IDcide that you can download. It lets you know who is tracking you, and it blocks those sites.
Helpful hint #3--Protect your computer from spyware. Certain software programs (some are well-known) deposit little mini programs on your computer that track you, and you don't even know it! There is a free program that you can download called Ad-Aware. It scans your computer for these programs, and allows you to delete them.
Helpful hint #4--Protect your computer against hackers. These days, hackers will attack any computer, not just the databases of large companies and organizations. If you have a high-speed Internet connection like DSL, it is especially important that you guard and protect your computer against hackers, as such connections may present a security risk. What you need is something called a firewall. All of the big companies have firewalls, and now, the average person can have their own personal firewall. There is a company called Zone Labs that has a program called ZoneAlarm that can be downloaded for free if you are using it on your own personal computer. It lets you know when a program or a hacker is trying to gain access to your computer, and then, blocks that access. Believe me, it is worth it!
Helpful hint #5--Avoid scams and scammers. The Internet is rife with scams and scammers who want to seperate you from your money and your identity! Beware of them, because they can be subtle and tricky. If you want to shop on the 'Net, shop only from reputable companies. Don't do business with spammers. If someone e-mails you claiming to be from a reputable company, and they ask for your passwords, or credit card numbers, DON'T GIVE IT TO THEM!! More than likely, it's a scam. There is a place on the Internet called the Scam Free Zone. This place not only has scam-free home business opportunities, but they put out a free newsletter warning against all kinds of scams, and how you can protect yourself against them.
Helpful hint #6--Report spam. Spam is unwanted and unsolicited mail that arrives in your e-mail inbox. Simply put, it is junk mail. It's mostly ads and stuff, but it also can be porn! The best way to stop spam is to report it. There are two programs that work with each other to do just that. One is called Spam Cop, and the other is called Spam Deputy. Spam Cop is free, while Spam Deputy is shareware. After 15 days, you fork out $20 which, to me (and remember, I'm poor), is cheap! Another way to avoid spam is not to sign up, or op-in to receive "special offers" from companies. Often what happens is that they give or sell your information to their "partners", or to other companies, and they send you their junk. Another way to avoid spam is not to click on banner ads, and avoid purchasing stuff from ads and spammers. Sometimes these are scams, and you can end up out of quite a bit of cash!
If you want more information on how to optimize your Internet experience, there is a great place called Internet Tips and Secrets.
I hope you liked my Computer Privacy and safety page, and found it to be helpful and informative. I'll be adding more information and links, so keep coming back. You can go to my Chain Letters and Hoaxes page, my Phishing page, or go back to the Resources page, or go back home, and check out the rest of my house.
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