tips_for_staying_safe

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Tips for Staying Safe Online

By: Stephanie | October 16, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

computer key with virus written on it Do you want to learn how to protect your computer from viruses and other threats, but don't know where to look? October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and it might be a good time to take a look at some of the tips and facts offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT).

Apparently hackers have been busy. According to US-CERT, if you're connecting a new computer to the Internet, nowadays it can take only minutes for a hacker to exploit the security on some networks. See the Tech Tip for how to protect your new computer before connecting it to the Internet.

Some tips to keep your computer secure:

Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
Download software programs and updates directly from the vendor's website.
Don't follow unsolicited links or open unsolicited e-mail messages (pdf).
Use caution when visiting websites you don't trust. Ditto for downloading and installing programs.
Protect your privacy and avoid social engineering and phishing attacks (when an attacker contacts you under false pretenses and tries to trick you into providing your private information).
Sign up for cyber security alerts and cyber security tips.

And if the security of your computer has been compromised, see how to recover from a Trojan horse or virus (pdf), report a phishing site, or notify federal law enforcement if you're a victim of Internet fraud.

For more information on common online threats, protecting your privacy and maintaining your security, and reporting Internet fraud and Internet-related crime, visit USA.gov's FAQ and the Federal Citizen Information Center's publications.