1. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Minimizing Online Risks

2. © 2006 Consumer Jungle 15 Steps to Minimizing Online Risks 1.Update your operating system 2.Use a firewall 3.Adjust browser security settings 4.Consider an ISP or e-mail provider that offers security 5.Use antivirus software 6.Use antispam software 7.Use at least one antispyware program Good online practices 8.Regularly back up personal files 9.Be on the alert while browsing 10.Create strong passwords 11.Don’t post your e-mail address 12.Use e-mail cautiously 13.Use multiple e-mail addresses 14.Don’t buy from spammers 15.Look for secure Web sites

3. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Update your operating system Windows XP users –Enable Automatic Windows Update feature –Download & install Service Pack 2 @ www.microsoft.com/protect www.microsoft.com/protect Keep your computer updated with the latest security measures.

4. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Use a firewall Enable built-in firewall on Windows XP and Mac OS With older systems, install firewall –Software (protection for incoming and outgoing) –Hardware (most routers have firewalls)

5. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Adjust browser security settings On Internet Explorer 6 –Set security level to medium or high. This will prevent many security issues.

6. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Consider an ISP or E-Mail Provider that Offers Security E-mail providers that offer spam filtering, virus scanning at no extra charge: –AOL –Earthlink –MSN –Yahoo –Gmail (offered by Google) Use as first layer of defense.

7. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Use Antivirus Software Will detect viruses or worms that have been in circulation for at least a couple of days. –May fail to detect brand- new viruses. Enable –Auto-protect –Automatic update features Keep your subscription current Keep your guard up!

8. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Use Antispam Software Enable spam blocking from your ISP. Buy antispam software On web-based e-mail services like Hotmail or Yahoo: –enable built-in blockers.

9. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Use at Least One Antispyware Program No product will catch every spyware variant Good combo: –Free spyware –Purchased spyware Use real-time protection on one product. Use the automatic update feature Keep your subscription current Download at official sites Mac users at less risk

10. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Regularly Back Up Personal Files Safegaurds data Use a plug-in external hard drive as: –Backup storage or –Main storage If the computer crashes, your files are already off the machine

11. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Be on The Alert While Browsing Be wary of ad-sponsored or “free”: –screen savers –Games –Videos –Toolbars –Music –Movie file-sharing programs –Other giveaways They probably have spyware

12. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Create strong passwords A good password is at least 8 characters, includes a number and a symbol, and is not a common word

13. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Don’t post your e-mail Don’t post your e-mail in its normal form on a public website –No: info@consumerjungle. org info@consumerjungle. org –Yes: info at consumerjungle DOT org.

14. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Use E-Mail Cautiously Never: – Open an attachment that you weren’t expecting –Respond to e-mail asking for personal information –Reply to spam or click on its “unsubscribe” link Report phishing to companies that are being misrepresented

15. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Use Multiple E-Mail Addresses Primary e-mail for family and friends Secondary e-mail for: –Online purchases –Sending e-cards –Everything else Create e-mails with embedded digits –info4u@consumerjung le.org

16. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Don’t Buy From Spammers Don’t buy anything promoted in a spam message –Even if it isn’t a scam –If you do, you are financing & encouraging spam

17. © 2006 Consumer Jungle Look for Secure Websites Look for an icon in the bottom right of your browser of: –An unbroken key or –A lock that’s: Closed Golden Glowing Make sure the site’s address begins with “https:”