Follow these few simple guidelines to help stay safe while you browse the internet.
1. Use an Antivirus program and keep it up to date. A free version of AVG Antivirus is available from
AVG Free. 2. Use an Antispyware program and keep it up to date. Microsoft's free Windows Defender is available from
Microsoft Security. 3. Use a firewall and keep it properly configured. The Windows firewall should be turned on and also confgure your modem/router on ADSL to act as a hardware firewall by disabling uPnP and only opening ports for programs you use. For more info on port forwarding visit
Port Forward. 4. Turn on Automatic Updates and keep Windows up to date.
5. Use an alternative Internet browser such as Firefox. Click the firefox logo on this page to get your free copy.
6. NEVER open email attachments or browse suspicious or dodgy websites. Changing your own habits will prevent infections.
7. NEVER open suspicious emails or follow the links in emails. This is how most users get caught out in phising scams. Financial institutions, ebay, paypal etc. will NEVER ask you to log in and verify your account details through an email, just delete them.
8. If you run a wireless network turn on encryption. The best encryption is WPA. If WPA is unavailable use WEP, it's better than no security at all. Use a strong password consisting of a combination of numbers and letters in both upper and lower case, don't use dictionary words or names, places and anything else that might be easily guessable.
