7/31/11 : Welcome to the Internet!! Watch your step!!

The internet is nothing new.  We have been using it in our mainstream lives for the past 15 years.  Even befroe that it was used in government agencies since the 1960's called ARPAnet.  Yes, the internet is about half a century old already!!  Hard to believe, isn't it?   At our homes we have gone from the slow dialup 28.8K serial modem to Lightning fast DSL and cable.   Even phones are using the internet to allow people to send email, and  chat on social networks.

Even though the Internet has been around for a long time, some people are just now landing into the fast lane without a parachute, and they have no idead where to go, who to trust, and what to do.   It can be confusing for the average computer user.  If they wander around the wrong websites, open up an email from someone they don't know, or post something on a social network that can get them in toruble at work, their online experience will be  anything but fun

For thsoe  newbies, I am going to give you some advice, and  as long as you have some common sense 101, then you will be able to stroll through  the information superhighway without being ran over.


1.  Never give out your passwords to anybody, not even tech support.  Legit tech support people have teh remote tools to help you out without needing your credentials.  Some hackers will call or email and say they're someone they're not and get what they want from an unsuspecting victim.  This is called  social engineering.

2.  Make sure your internet connection is secure.  This includes getting a router, whether you're wired or wireless.  Routers have options, such as firewalls, which will block  your internet address on your computer.   No need to share your computer with everybody  out there, right?''  Also, if you're  using wireless routers, make sure to setup a password on it.  That way, no one can stand outside, or drive by your hosue and pick up a  signal off your router, and have unnoticed internet access.  You don't need feds knocking down your door because some guy two houses over is downloading  things they shouldn't .

3.  Never open up an  email from someone you don't know;.  Many viruses have spread from this case.  The Melissa Virus , (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_(computer_virus) back  in 1999, caused total email catrosphe for consumers and businesses alike.  As abd as it was, there have and will always be a bigger threat out there at any given moment in time.  Most email providers have a built in Spam or Junk folder that filters out the garbage and malicous looking email that comes into your inbox, but curiousity always kills the cat when people look in those folders and decide to check out the email regardless.  Don't be that condemned kitty.

This friendly advice should help you out.  If you need anything else, please feel free to ask away in the comment section below.  When it comes to internet safety, there is never a dumb question.




God bless and have a great week!


Patrick

Melissa Virus sample