Internet Survival Guide



1) Watch where you go

Spam, virus, general computer nasty is now big business not teenagers playing. Read before you click as malicious web sites can infect a machine without the user knowing.

2) Stay virus free

Remaining virus free does not require much effort. A virus program is nothing but a program that replicates itself. Unfortunately these programs usually do more than just reproduce. Some may damage your files or steal your information. Mostly they are used to send the spam email that we all receive. To protect your Microsoft windows computer from being infested with a viral outbreak follow these guidelines.
  • Don't trust your antivirus software completely. Trend Micro has a free online virus scan that can work along with any other antivirus software to find problems. Microsoft also has a Live answer to your antivirus issues.
  • If an email has an attachment and you never heard of the person then delete it. (Opening malicious email will mess you up. You do not have to run the attachment anymore.)
  • If an email looks suspicious delete it. If it was important you will receive it again.
  • If you use Microsoft Outlook Express for email remove the preview pane. (Click View then Layout and uncheck Show Preview Pane.)
  • Download and install the Windows updates from Microsoft. (Click Start and Programs and see the top of the list.)
  • Don't be gullible. Internet hoaxes can be as bad as viruses as they can convince one to delete necessary files or worse. Check the email that someone you know is forwarding you that someone forwarded to them before you go wild. snopes.com is a good resource for verifying internet hoaxes.

3) Avoid trashware

The internet has lots of free software available for the taking. For the most part if you do not find out about something from a reliable source it will be garbage. Free toolbars, screen savers and other whiz bang utilites are there for the taking so you can be taken advantage of. The pop up ads you are receiving are generating income for someone. Often you will install much more than you think you are. Once you have installed a gateway program the programmer is free to install anything on your machine he desires without your approval. In addition to pop-ups some of this software can record key strokes and screen shots.

There are several utilities that will offer to remove this software for you that are in fact loading the software on your machine. If you go to download.com you will notice that the most popular downloads are anti-malware utilites. They actually remove the bad software and I use them both myself. Just don't scan your machine with both at the same time. One scan at a time please.
  • Use Ad-Aware from Lavasoft. The download links are at the bottom of the page.
  • Use Spybot Search & Destroy from Safer Networking. The download link is on the upper left of the page.
  • You may like to try Microsoft's attempt at spyware prevention.
    You will need the license code for Windows to use the microsoft software. It may be on the bottom of your laptop or side of your pc.

4) Protect yourself

You will be safe if you are careful about what you do. Just as the world is a large place with many people that want to take advantage of others so is the internet. Look out for yourself.
  • Close pop up windows with the X in the upper right corner. Don't click the links labeled 'Close' in the window. They may not close the software but install it.
  • Do not be tempted to 'un-register' your email address with the links in unsolicitated (SPAM) email. You are either sending email to nowhere or worse, verifying your address if you do so.
  • Do not download free movies, music or other normally copyrighted material as you will definitely be working with those with illegal intentions.

Further reading