IT Safety Tips from The Professionals

Great free important tips aimed at keeping you safe while using technology at home and at work. Nearly every home or business uses technology in some way or another, especially computers and the internet. These tips are appropriate for all ages and should be considered by everyone. Just like wave surfing requires careful attention, practice, and safety - so does surfing the internet using computers. In this section we take a look at common safety issues and how you can prevent them almost completely. Better safe than sorry.

Today's Information Technology
Most modern businesses use computers in at least one way or another. You may be using a computer 100 percent of the time at work. At home you may be checking your Facebook, surfing the web, or buying those shoes you want on sale. Either way, using your computer connected to the internet does make you prone to several threats. First, crooks will constantly be looking to scam you by gaining access to your computer or personal information. Secondly, malicious software sites will automatically attempt to install software to your system if you are not careful. Third, some sites collect or share your personal information. As you can see, it's pretty important to keep these things in mind while you surf the internet. Only use trusted sites and never give your personal information out to anyone. Legitimate sites will never email you or call you asking for your password!

Chatting, Email, and Forums
Email is a great tool to almost instantly communicate with another, but is another tool for spammers (aggressive annoying advertisers and unwanted advertisements) and phishers (people who attempt to gain your information with the intent to use it fraudulently or maliciously) to use. You can save yourself most of this trouble by using one personal email address (that you don't give out to anyone but close/trusted friends and maybe your work). Then use another email address just to register for sites, but not for personal use. Consider the other email address a 'spam' address. Just in case whoever you registered with or gave your email address to (remember this is not the private one), may share it to others or sell your address. In fact, you may find this address spammed quickly just after you register or give it out. No worries though, because we planned it that way right? Now your private email was never given out or compromised. Before you register with sites, use forums, fill out surveys or anything else online - consider using an alternative email address. For buying items online, it's a toss up between using your personal email address or an alternative one because sometimes online businesses sell your information.

Chatting and forums can be interesting but also open up all kinds of threats. Never reveal your location or personal details to any strangers. You really don't know who is on the other end. Don't ever trust them if you don't personally know them. Never meet with a stranger. If you do meet, do it in a very public place in bright daylight and bring a friend or two. People under 18 should NEVER meet with anyone they don't know on the internet. Parents may want to tell their teens to avoid chat rooms all together since they can setup private chats with their trusted friends.

You might want to consider that what is said in public chats can often be cut and pasted making its way all over the internet - so be careful what you say. If it doesn't seem right or things get out of control - leave the chat room immediately. Forums are also a place of flaming (intentional trouble making). If you use a forum, you should probably consider using a nickname and not your real name. Even if a forum is market private, consider it public! Same with chatting! Unless you're an IT professional with a secure email or chat line - it is not secure!

Cookies & Cream
Cookies are files stores on your computer generated from your browser. Websites can use this information for multiple reasons both good and bad. More advanced scripting can do all kinds of things with your personal information. Cookies can also store information such as the sites you visit, keywords, searches, history, etc. Consider deleting this regularly (on a daily basis) to avoid trouble or if you are paranoid. Sometimes cookies can be used to offer you relative things that the server or website thinks you are interested in. In the end, it is up to you whether you want to delete them and prevent this or continue to allow cookies to be generated and collected by third parties.

Trusted Websites
Not all websites are legitimate. Hackers and criminals copy things to make sites look real in an effort to gain access to your personal information. For example, a hacker might create a copy of another website like Ebay and then ask you for your username and password in a form. Instead of going to Ebay, the form sends the hacker your username and password - now you are compromised. See how easy it is? So always look at the address bar on your browser and make sure you are on the correct website URL (address). Your browser can also verify certificates which are signed between you and the website server. Never trust any third party website claiming to be official or related to the official site unless it is expressed/mentioned specifically on the official site. For example, there is only one http://stormsector.com website which will list any related partner or website on it.

Securing Your Network
At home or at work, it's important to secure your network. Most businesses will have a IT person or contractor that will setup network security. However, most home users are unfamiliar with networks. When you purchase a router or wireless access point from a retailer it is setup to default which is a widely known username and password. Before you install your router at home right after it's out of the box, setup a password of your own and enable security options. You can find out how to do this by reading the user manual of your product. If you don't setup security, anyone within a specific distance of your home can access your network and possibly your information without you even knowing!

Antivirus & Firewalls
Every computer should have an Antivirus program installed. Antivirus programs will offer 24 hour protection of your system from harmful advertisements, websites, programs, and executable content which can compromise your computer and information. We recommend either AVG or Norton for home users. Firewalls are also very important and provide a barrier between your computer and the exposed internet. Having a firewall can also stop intrusions to your system whether they originate from the internet or from your own system. Both Antivirus and Firewall software are widely available for download on the internet. Only download Antivirus/Firewall software from a trusted source or website since these can also contain viruses if you don't download them from the right site!

Securing Your Data & Equipment
Always backup your files to at least two sources, preferably one on-site source and at another location in case something happens. Secondly, never give out your password or personal information, especially to the public or strangers. Third, keep your equipment in a safe place that is secure from theft. Lastly, use surge protection devices to protect your equipment from power spikes and lightning. It only takes seconds to lose a lifetime of data. See the Blog for recommendations on surge protection and more!

Conclusion
Consider these safety tips and you will avoid most security issues on the internet. You should always have an Antivirus and Firewall on your home computer. Go over these tips with your family. Be sure to update your software since security threats are always evolving and the software vendor may have an important update for your computer. Keep your personal information to yourself. Remember that the internet has all kinds of people on it and not all of them are there to help you or be a real friend. Thanks for reading our information technology security tips. Stay safe and happy surfing as always.

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