Safe Internet Browsing Tips

Safe Internet Browsing Tips

Any time a home computer is connected to the Internet, it is exposed to security risks. Some safe browsing practices help protect the computer and all information stored there from viruses and from being exposed to others. Children should also practice safe browsing to avoid becoming victims of predators and to avoid exposure to inappropriate material.

Adjust Web Browser Settings

Computer users can set their browsers to identify risky or adult-only Web sites and filter those sites. Depending on the browser, which commonly includes Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari, there are different levels of filtering and blocking. Pop-up ads can be dangerous for Internet-browsing children because some ads are pornographic or can lead to other risky Web sites.

Supervise Children

Adults should supervise children browsing the Internet. Children are more likely to give out personal information and a supervising adult can teach them that revealing personal information can be dangerous. Supervision is a good way to teach children about what kind of Web sites are safe and what are not. Children may also inadvertently click on risky or inappropriate sites while doing research for school. A family computer should always be in an area where others can observe the browsing.

Use a Firewall

Home computer users should use a firewall to block digital intruders from accessing personal information. Firewalls are either hardware-based or software-based. Either can provide some protection, though no firewall will block all hacking attempts, so supplementary security measures are recommended.

Run Anti-Virus Software on a Regular Basis

Anti-virus software scans the computer for viruses that may have intruded while browsing the Internet. Viruses can hide in files and even lie dormant for a time and anti-virus software searches files for items that do not belong there. Most Internet Service Providers provide anti-virus software free, like McAfee VirusScan. The scanner can be set to operate automatically so the user is not required to activate it.

Back Up Hard Drive on a Regular Basis

An important tip for home Internet users is to back up critical information regularly. Any files that the computer user does not want to lose should be saved to a disk or flash drive. If a virus infects the computer through the Internet or e-mail, it can wipe out or corrupt important hard drive files, but the effect will be less devastating if those are saved on a disk or flash drive.

Delete Unknown E-mails and Attachments

When checking e-mail, users should delete any items from unknown parties or which contain unknown attachments. If an e-mail with an attachment comes from a known contact, but seems out-of-character or unusual, the recipient should not open the attachment until he contacts the sender to verify its authenticity. Most e-mail providers offer filter options to automatically block unknown senders.

Expose Limited Information

Internet users should try to avoid giving out personal information like addresses, banking information or Social Security numbers. When making purchases, browsers should use a single credit card designated for Internet purchases only. If that card number is stolen, the user can easily cancel the card and report it stolen.