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Playing it Safe on the Web: Internet Security
We've all heard about computer viruses, hackers, cookies, spyware, and a host of other threats to Internet security, but what does it all mean and how can you be sure that your computer and private information is safe when you surf the Web?
Protecting Your Computer from Viruses
Computer viruses are hidden, malicious computer programs most commonly transmitted by email. Viruses can copy themselves to your computer's hard drive and infect it - causing programs to malfunction or making your computer crash. The term "virus" refers to the fact that these programs can spread from computer to computer, often through forwarded emails or through infected files on a network file system which is accessed by many computers. Viruses can also spread to computers that connect to the Internet through local area networks.
The best form of protection against computer viruses comes in the form of anti-virus software. Once installed (or pre-installed), it's important to keep your software up-to-date. Anti-virus software manufacturers are constantly updating their databases to prevent virus infections. So set your software to update regularly and automatically as a preventative measure.
Defending Your Computer Against Spyware
Spyware is not transmitted from one computer to another like a computer virus. Rather, spyware installs directly to your computer by secretly piggybacking onto other software or shareware programs you install. Also, in online ads, spyware distributors will trick users into installing their software by guaranteeing that it will "speed up your computer" or other claims of enhanced performance. In this way, many people install spyware without even knowing it. Spyware tricksters also use pop-up ads that look like Windows dialog boxes. By clicking on these ads anywhere, the spyware installs.
Today's leading anti-virus software companies have added stand-alone or bundled anti-spyware components to the software they offer; software which checks your computer and removes spyware as well as providing protection against spyware while you browse online. You should keep your anti-spyware software up-to-date and scan your hard drive often to remove any spyware programs.
The Dangers of HTTP and Tracking Cookies
By now, nearly everyone who connects online is aware of HTTP cookies used by websites and stored in your computer's browser. Cookies are not viruses or spyware, they are small bits of information which store your user settings, website preferences, shopping cart contents, and other pieces of information about you to enhance your website experience. For example, you wouldn't be able to use a website's shopping cart if the site had not created a cookie beforehand. If you've ever disabled cookies in your browser, you've probably discovered that it's almost impossible to visit many websites without allowing their use.
So are HTTP cookies dangerous? Generally speaking, not in their everyday use, especially if you set your browser to allow only "session cookies" - cookies which operate online while you have your web browser running and are deleted when you exit the browser. You can also check to see what cookies are stored in your browser through your browser security settings and you can always delete any or all of them.
The danger of cookies comes in the form of "tracking cookies" which track what websites you visit without your knowledge. The tracking information gathered is used primarily by advertising companies to create a profile about you which determines what type of online ads you'll see when you browse. These cookies infringe on your privacy and also have the potential of being stolen or hijacked.
To be safe, set your browser security settings to block all third-party cookies - the category of cookies that includes tracking cookies - and to delete any session cookies when you close your browser.
