Internet Safety Tips
How a Big Geek Surfs Safely!
No security software is 100% effective and while the layered defense concept I advocate in my Security Toolbox will do a great job of protecting
you from yourself please use common sense when surfing as your actions are the biggest threat to your PC security!  

Big Geek Daddy follows some basic rules when surfing the Internet to help protect his computer from being attacked by Viruses, Trojan
Horses, Spyware, Adware, Malware, Keyloggers,and Phishing emails.  I have listed these security tips below and hope that they prove helpful to
you or anyone else you know that's using the Internet.
password allowed by the site.  For example, if a site will let you use a 32 character long
password then choose to do so, don’t opt for an 8 letter password.  Why?  You tell me
which one is easier to crack based on example below:

BigGeek1    or    cgzSF9S&!5c!vfe3XkDPCcDTapfvFMyN

The first one was generated by my simple mind.  The 2nd password was created by RoboForm’s password generator.  If you haven’t tried RoboForm
yet I encourage you to do so.  To use the password generator right click on RoboForm icon in system tray, choose Tools, then Generate Passwords.  
Make sure you immediately log in to whatever site your generating the password for until RoboForm prompts you to save it because unless you’re
a genius there’s no way your going to remember a long random password.

5. Log off of Websites:  I know it’s much easier to just click the X in upper right corner of a web page to close the site, however, that might leave
you vulnerable.  Take the time to actually log off the site and then close the browser window by clicking the X.  Then open a new browser window to go
to the next site you need to visit. Learn how to clear your cache and delete cookies, or use a third party app such as Reputation.com, as extra
precaution.

6.  Watch for websites using Similar Names:  Again, this can be prevented by RoboForm.  Let’s say you’re on someone’s web page and
you click on an Amazon.com link to shop.  

It takes you to:  http://www.amazen.com/gp/product/B00008BFS8/102-4136487-3340104?n=228013

Instead of:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008BFS8/102-4136487-3340104?n=228013

The difference is so subtle you probably wouldn’t even notice the “e” instead of an “o” in amazon.com.
So you add the hot product to the checkout basket and proceed to type in all your info to complete the order - you just gave it all away to a hacker.  

RoboForm will help prevent this because once you go to checkout it will ask you for your user name and password as a returning customer and if it’s
not a legit site then RoboForm won’t pop up asking you to fill in the user name and password.

7.  Don’t enter Security Info on Another Computer:  For example, you’re in the hotel lobby and want to check
how your stock portfolio did so you go to your brokers web page and type in you easy to remember user name and password because you were to
cheap to buy RoboForm Pass2GO.  

So, since you’re on a public computer let’s just assume it’s infected and has been targeted by hackers…you just gave them your info.  

Solution:  Don’t enter sensitive info on someone else’s computer or if you must use a computer other than your own use a
USB Drive RoboForm Pass2GO.

8.  Make sure you spell Search Words correctly in Google or whatever Search Engine you use:  This will help you avoid
being the victim of Search Engine Typosquatting.
1.  Never Open Attachments in Email:  Instead, save the attachment to a separate
folder on your computer.  Then go to that folder and right click on the attachment.  Choose
"Scan with AVG Free" to make sure it's not an infected file.  If you're not using AVG Free then
scan it with whatever Anti-Virus program you are using.  If the scan comes back clean then
it's probably OK to open it.  Use common sense here though and don't open attachments
from people you don't know.

2.  Don’t click on Hyperlinks in Email:  Never respond to email's that ask you for
your security info such as passwords and account numbers.  An email arrives supposedly
from PayPal, eBay, or your bank asking you to verify your info and they conveniently provide a
link for you to do so.  Even if the email appears to be from a company you do business with
do not reply to it with your info.  The link will most likely take you to a spoof website and once
you enter your info you’ve just compromised your account.

3.  Never send Sensitive Info to anyone via Email:  Email isn’t secure and
can be intercepted and read by hackers.
Big Geek Daddy...who's your Geek Daddy?
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If your PC is Infected go to Free Virus Scan and Removal for a listing
of Free Virus Scanners to help you clean your PC of malware.