2. The Internet = A World of Opportunities
Look what’s at your fingertips
A way to communicate with friends, family, colleagues
Access to information and entertainment
A means to learn, meet people and explore
The Internet is a global network that connects most of the world’s personal computers.
Worldwide, every day, 800 million people visit the Internet to search for information and entertainment, and communicate with friends and colleagues.
Online, it doesn’t matter where a person or data is “actually” located, because the Internet puts an entire universe of information, images and ideas right at your fingertips.
Yet the benefits of the Internet do not come without risks. Those risks can be dangerous to your information and to your computer.
Whenever we log on to the Internet, we immediately expose ourselves to security threats.
It’s just like when we leave our house. Every day, we are exposed to dangers that we must learn to avoid or shield ourselves against.

3. Leading Internet Risks and Threats
To PC Security
Viruses
Worms
Trojan Horses
Spyware
The leading risks and threats associated with Internet use include viruses and other malicious software that have the power to cripple or control your computer, compromise your privacy, and destroy your valuable data.
Microsoft provides educational content and guidance to help you protect your PC from security and safety attacks and risks, such as:
Risks to your computer’s security include:
Viruses
Worms
Trojans
Spyware

4. Online Security Versus Online Safety
Security: We must secure our computers with technology in the same way that we secure the doors to our offices
Safety: We must act in ways that protect us against the risks and threats that come with Internet use
Typically, when we leave the safety of our homes and venture into the outside world, we instinctively raise our guard and become more alert to possible dangers.
Once home, we lower our guard and relax.
Staying safe and secure online means when online, we must keep our guard up, just as we do in the outside world.
Microsoft provides tools that can help you control who and what enters your home over the Internet.
What are some of the risks you need to protect against?

5. Leading Threats to PC Security
Viruses/Worms
Software programs designed to invade your computer, and copy, damage or delete your data
Trojan Horses
Viruses that pretend to be programs that help you while destroying your data and damaging your computer
Spyware
Software that secretly watches and records your online activities or send you endless pop-up ads
The leading online threat to your PC is malicious software such as computer viruses, including highly sophisticated viruses such as worms and Trojans, and spyware.
Viruses
Computer viruses are software programs that are deliberately designed by online attackers to invade your computer, to interfere with its operation, and to copy, corrupt or delete your data. These malicious software programs are called viruses because they are designed not only to infect and damage one computer, but to spread to other computers all across the Internet.
Computer viruses are often hidden in what appear to be useful or entertaining programs or attachments, such as computer games, video clips or photos. Many such viruses are spread inadvertently by computer users, who unwittingly pass them along in to friends and colleagues.
Worms
Worms are more sophisticated viruses that can replicate automatically and send themselves to other computers by first taking control of certain software programs on your PC.
Trojan Horses
Other viruses, called Trojans in honor of the Trojan horse, actually masquerade as beneficial programs while quietly destroying your data and damaging your system.
Spyware
As the name implies, spyware is software that is designed to secretly monitor all of the things you do on your computer, and to either report your behavior to the person who designed the program or to take some action based on that information.
Spyware may bombard you with pop-up advertising related to the types of Web sites you visit regularly, collect personal information about you, or change the settings on your computer without your knowledge or consent. Spyware can even disable your computer or make it possible for criminals to steal your identity.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect your computer from malicious software.

6. Steps You Can Take Your computer Turn on an Internet firewall
Keep your operating system up to date
Install and maintain antivirus software
Install and maintain antispyware software
The good news about viruses, worms, spyware and other malicious software is that with an ounce of prevention and a little knowledge, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to them and diminish their potential impact.
Four Simple Steps to Protect Your PC
By taking four basic steps, you can help secure your personal computer from many malicious software attacks Those four simple steps are:
Use an Internet firewall
Keep your operating system up to date, preferably by using automatic update features in Windows
Install and maintain antivirus software
Install and maintain antispyware software
Let’s take a closer look at each of these four steps.

7. Take Steps to Help Protect Information
Practice Internet behavior that lowers your risk
Manage your business information carefully
Use technology to reduce nuisances, and raise the alarm when appropriate
Protecting yourself on the Internet means managing or eliminating the nuisances, such as routine spam, and also guarding against more serious concerns such as identity theft.
To do this you need to:
Manage your personal information carefully
Practice online behavior that reduces your risk
Use technology to minimize nuisances
And raise the alarm and report problems when it is appropriate

8. Delete Spam without Opening It
Never reply to spam
Technology can help you identify spam so you can delete it
Many Internet providers delete it for you
Watch out for spam scams—and ignore them.
Con artists on the Internet are ready to take your money or steal your identity.
To fight off scams, pay attention, trust your instincts, and follow these steps:
Delete spam without opening it.
Never reply to spam.
Delete spam without opening it. That one action alone will nip a lot of problems in the bud and spare you a lot of potential trouble.
Don’t reply to spam. Don’t buy anything from an unknown source. Don’t give to money to charities based on directions; instead, contact the organization directly to find out the best way to contribute.
Spam used to be just an annoyance. Today, spam has become an epidemic that can sometimes have serious consequences. Spam now accounts for two-thirds of all traffic worldwide; more than 15 billion spam messages are sent and received every day. Things are even worse in the United States, where junk now accounts for more than four out of every five messages.
Besides being annoying and clogging your inbox, spam can also pose real threats to your safety and security. Among other things, spam is often used by con artists who want to trick you into giving them your money or personal information.
Technology can help you stay safe. Software such as programs and Web browsers are improving constantly. In some cases, they are blocking billions of spam s daily. And new technologies are emerging that analyze and flag potential phishing scams, and then provide guidance on what you can do.
OPTIONAL
For example, Microsoft is using technical innovations to prevent spam and phishing scams from ever reaching our customers’ inboxes.
Safer Microsoft is building technology that can be used in other products and services, which stops criminals from “spoofing” legitimate Web sites and hiding their identities. Currently, this technology is used to protect more than 200 million MSN Hotmail customers worldwide against online scams.
Filtered Microsoft uses its technology to identify and remove vast quantities of spam before it is ever delivered. Our patented SmartScreen filtering technology blocks more than 3.2 billion spam messages per day worldwide in Hotmail alone. In addition, Microsoft provides free monthly updates to the Outlook 2003 junk mail filters, to help customers better protect and manage their inboxes from new spam and other -perpetrated scams.
Other technology companies are also working hard to protect their customers from spam and phishing scams.

9. Use Strong Passwords
Keep passwords private and create ones that are hard to “crack”
Never share your passwords with friends or be tricked into giving them away
Use strong passwords, keep them secret,
You may have important personal information in a variety of electronic and Internet locations, such as online bank and auction accounts, blogs, files on your computer, online shopping sites, etc. One way to protect your information is by using strong passwords to block access to your computer.
Most passwords are cracked by a computer program running many letter combinations at high speed, not by someone guessing your password. The best defense is to create a password at least eight characters long that includes a few symbols—such as the dollar sign, pound sign, or exclamation point—as well as letters and numbers. Long, complex passwords are harder to break—even for high-speed computer programs—because the number of possible combinations.
Whatever you do, never share your passwords with friends or allow yourself to be tricked into giving them away.

10. Four Steps To Protect Your Computer
Turn on an Internet firewall
Keep your operating system up to date
Install and maintain antivirus software
Install and maintain antispyware software
The good news about viruses, worms, spyware and other malicious software is that with an ounce of prevention and a little knowledge, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to them and diminish their potential impact.
Four Simple Steps to Protect Your PC
By taking four basic steps, you can help secure your personal computer from many malicious software attacks Those four simple steps are:
Use an Internet firewall
Keep your operating system up to date, preferably by using automatic update features in Windows
Install and maintain antivirus software
Install and maintain antispyware software
Let’s take a closer look at each of these four steps.

11. Turn on an Internet Firewall
An Internet firewall is like a moat around a castle, creating a barrier between your computer and the Internet
Use a Firewall
You wouldn’t leave your house unlocked with all of your valuables inside, so why take that chance with your computer?
A firewall creates a barrier between your PC and the Internet, a kind of security checkpoint that information and software must pass through before being allowed to enter your computer.
The firewall is your first line of defense in protecting your PC, because it helps to make your computer invisible to online attackers and many types of malicious software, such as viruses and worms. A firewall can also help to prevent the software on your computer from accepting updates or modifications from the Internet without your permission.

12. Keep Your Operating System Updated
Install all security updates as soon as they are available
Automatic updates provide the best protection
Keep Your Operating System Updated
One of the most important things you can do to protect your computer is also one of the easiest. Just keep your system up to date with the latest software available.
Online criminals are constantly at work devising new ways to attack your computer and invade your privacy. Fortunately, software companies work even harder to counter those threats and to provide you with updated tools that you can use to protect your PC.
You should regularly update your computer operating system with security updates provided by the manufacturer. The same goes for your Web browser and other important applications, including your antivirus and antispyware programs. Updates for most software are available through subscription services offered by the manufacturers.
If you use a Windows operating system from Microsoft, you can protect your Windows-based PC automatically by using the Windows Automatic Update feature. Once you turn on Windows Automatic Update, Microsoft will send new security updates to your computer as soon as they are available. The updates will be stalled automatically the next time you turn on your computer.
In addition, if you use Windows XP on your computer, consider upgrading to Windows XP with Service Pack 2, which has the strongest and most comprehensive security features of any Windows operating system.
The Benefits of Automatic Security Updates
As with human viruses, the best treatment for computer viruses is to avoid getting them in the first place.
Every time you log onto the Internet, your security risk increases astronomically. Having up-to-date security features already installed as part of your computer system helps to ensure that you have the highest level of protection available.
And because security software is continually updated to anticipate and respond to new and evolving threats, the easiest way to ensure that you have the latest security enhancements is to schedule automatic updates for your computer.

13. Install Antivirus Software
Antivirus software can detect and destroy computer viruses before they can cause damage
Just like flu shots, for antivirus software to be effective, you must keep it up to date
Install and Maintain Antivirus Software
Antivirus software helps to protect your computer by scanning every , application or piece of content that enters your PC. Strong antivirus programs can detect and destroy thousands of specific viruses before they have a chance to damage your system.
Online attackers are constantly creating new viruses and worms, and devising new ways to invade and damage your computer. To protect your PC from these threats, make sure you never let your antivirus program expire, and keep the software up to date with the latest updates from the manufacturer.
Don’t let it expire

14. Install And Maintain Antispyware Software
Use antispyware software so unknown people cannot lurk on your computer and potentially steal your information
Install and Maintain Antispyware Software
Antispyware software can expose any spies already on your system, and help to keep your computer running smoothly and prevent further intrusion.
As with your operating system and antivirus software, it is essential that you keep your antispyware software updated to make sure you have the highest level of protection for your PC.

15. Other Ways to Protect Your PC
Back up your files regularly
Think before you click
OK, now that you have your firewall turned on, your operating system updating automatically, and your antivirus and antispyware programs installed, what else can you do to protect your PC?
Back Up Your Files
First of all, because no security method is guaranteed to be 100 percent effective, it is important to back up your critical files on a regular basis, before you encounter a virus or other problems that may damage your system and delete some or all of your data. There are many different methods for backing up your files—from saving them to CD or DVD to copying them to an external hard drive or trusting them to a Web-based backup service.
To Help Prevent Viruses and Worms
In addition to using an Internet firewall and always running up-to-date antivirus software, never open an attachment from someone you don't know. Avoid opening an attachment even from someone you DO know, unless you know exactly what the attachment is. The sender may be unaware that the attachment contains a virus.
To Help Prevent Spyware Intrusions
In addition to installing and maintaining antispyware software, only download from websites you trust and be sure you understand what you are getting before you agree to download. Read privacy statements and license agreements for all websites you frequent and programs you download. And if you see a pop-up, never click OK to close the window. Always use the red “X” in the corner of the pop-up screen.
Backing up your files regularly and always stopping to “think before you click” will provide additional protection for your computer.
Read website privacy statements
Close pop-ups using red “X”

16. Back Up Your Files Save to CD or DVD Use a Web-based backup service
First of all, because no security method is guaranteed to be 100 percent effective, it is important to back up your critical files on a regular basis, before you encounter a virus or other problems that may damage your system and delete some or all of your data. There are many different methods for backing up your files—from saving them to CD or DVD to copying them to an external hard drive or trusting them to a Web-based backup service.

17. Think Before You Click
Don’t open attachments unless you know what they contain and who sent them
Only download files from websites you trust
To Help Prevent Viruses and Worms
In addition to using an Internet firewall and always running up-to-date antivirus software, never open an attachment from someone you don't know. Avoid opening an attachment even from someone you DO know, unless you know exactly what the attachment is. The sender may be unaware that the attachment contains a virus.

18. Close Pop-ups Using Red “X”
Always use the red “X” in the corner of a pop-up screen
Never click “yes,” “accept” or even “cancel”, because it could be a trick that installs software on your PC
And if you see a pop-up, never click OK to close the window. Always use the red “X” in the corner of the pop-up screen.

19. For More Information www.microsoft.com/protect www.staysafe.org
athome/security
Microsoft, other technology companies, and many public agencies and nonprofit organizations provide resources to help you learn more about steps you can take to protect yourself online. The Internet is a fascinating and valuable resource. If you know how to protect yourself, you can enjoy it without fear.
Finding new ways to protect our customers from malicious code – Microsoft is making progress on an ambitious vision, designing computer software that actually prevents and contains the impact of a malicious software attack. To do this, we are making it simpler for people to follow the four basic steps of keeping their computer secure: using a firewall, keeping Windows up to date, and installing both antivirus and antispyware software.
The release of Windows XP SP2, a free upgrade, helps customers manage some of the more pervasive Internet security and safety issues including malicious software attacks, spam, and criminal attempts to install software without a customer’s knowledge or permission.
Windows XP SP2 also includes the Windows Security Center, which tells a customer whether key security capabilities are turned on and up-to-date. When a problem is detected, customers receive a notification and are given recommended actions to help protect their computer.
Windows Defender (beta) scans a customer’s PC to find spyware and other deceptive software, and then lets the customer remove it. Defender guards against more than 50 ways that websites and programs can put spyware on a PC, and helps our customers automatically keep up to date on new spyware threats. It is available for Microsoft Windows XP and later versions.
Finding ways to protect our customers from fraudulent and annoying and scams – Microsoft is improving products to fight criminal attempts to commit fraud or identity theft using Internet technologies.
Filtered Microsoft uses its technology to identify and remove vast quantities of spam, one of the ways viruses and other malicious software reaches your computer. Our patented SmartScreen filtering technology blocks more than 3.2 billion spam messages per day worldwide in Hotmail alone. Free monthly updates to our junk mail filters help customers better protect and manage their inboxes from new spam and other -perpetrated scams. This is available to customers using Outlook Express, Hotmail, Windows Mail and Outlook.