Tips to Stay Safe UsingWindows® 10

The Internet is wild and wonderful — and, by and large, it’s unregulated. However, if you follow a handful of simple, common-sense rules, you’ll go a long way toward making your Internet travels happier and safer.

Don’t install weird programs, cute icons, or products that promise to keep your computer safe.Unless the software comes from a reputable manufacturer whom you trust and you know precisely why you need it, you don’t want it.

Never open a file attached to an e-mail message until you verify it was sent intentionally.

Ask yourself whether the sender is smart enough to avoid sending you an infected file.

Don’t trust e-mail.Every single part of an e-mail message can be faked, easily. Links inside e-mail messages may not point where you think they point.

Check your accounts.

Log on to all your financial websites frequently and check for questionable charges, and if somebody changed your password, scream bloody murder.

When placing an order online, make sure that you’re dealing with a company you know.

Don’t click a link in an e-mail message and expect to go to the company’s website. Instead, type the URL directly into your Internet browser.

Type your credit card number only when using a secure web page.The easy way to tell whether a web page is secure is to look in the lower-right corner of the screen for a picture of a lock.

Don’t send your credit card number in an ordinary e-mail message.E-mail is just too easy to intercept. And for heaven’s sake, don’t give out any personal information when you’re chatting online.

Don’t encourage ’em.

Don’t buy anything that’s offered by way of spam (or any other e-mail that you didn’t specifically request). Simply delete the message.

Opt out of mailings only if you know and trust the company that’s sending you messages. Don’t opt out with a company you don’t trust: It may just be trying to verify your e-mail address.

Never post your e-mail address on a website or in a newsgroup.Spammers have spiders that devour web pages by the gazillion, gathering e-mail addresses and other information automatically.

Never trust a website that you arrive at by “clicking through” a hot link.

Be cautious about websites you reach from other websites. If you don’t personally type the URL in the address bar, you may not be in Kansas any more.

Cyberspace doesn’t provide the same level of protection you’ve come to expect in real life, but these tips can help ensure that you stay safe no matter where your Internet journey takes you.

Learn more at dummies.com

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