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Security Center: General Internet Security Tips
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Keep Operating System up-to-date
Security patches for recently discovered holes in operating systems are issued on a regular basis.
Download and install updates for your operating system regularly (at least once a week).
- For Windows users, go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
- For Mac users, go to www.apple.com/software.
Keep email software and web browser up-to-date
- Security patches for recently discovered flaws in email programs and web browsers are issued on a regular basis. Make sure to check for updates regularly.
- Email program updates
- If you are using Outlook Express, go to Windows Update to get Outlook Express updates.
- If you are using Outlook, go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx to download updates.
- Web browser updates
- Internet Explorer updates are done at the same time as the Windows Update mentioned above.
- To get updates or newer version of other browsers, check the browser's website regularly (e.g. www.netscape.com for Netscape updates)
- Any other software that requires a connection needs to be updated on a regular basis too (such as Instant Messenger programs).
Install a firewall
- A firewall is software that helps protect your computer from potential hackers.
- While firewall software is not essential for a computer using a dial-up connection, it is recommended.
- Windows XP comes with a basic firewall. To turn on the Windows firewall:
- Open the BCPL icon.
- Click the Properties button.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Put a check next to Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.
- Click OK.
- Note: In Windows XP Service Pack 2, this is turned on by default.
- If you do decide to install a firewall, make sure you understand how to properly configure and use the firewall. BCPL.NET's Help Desk cannot help configure firewalls.
Use regularly updated antivirus software
- BCPL.NET strongly recommends that all computers with access to the Internet have an anti-virus program installed. If you have anti-virus software on your computer, if it is configured correctly, and if you keep it up to date, it will greatly reduce the chance of your computer being infected by a computer virus.
- There are many anti-virus programs available. We cannot recommend any one in particular, but the two most popular and easily obtained are McAfee Virus Scan (http://www.mcafee.com) and Norton AntiVirus (http://www.symantec.com). Both can be purchased directly from the vendor or from almost any computer store.
- Anti-virus software is not an "install it and forget it" proposition. Most anti-virus programs use a virus description database to know how to detect and delete specific viruses. If that database is not kept up to date, the anti-virus software will not know how to deal with the most recent viruses. Most anti-virus programs have an "update" feature that will download and install the latest virus description database. Be sure to set the updater to run at least once a week.
- For more information, go to our virus webpage.
Install anti-spyware software
- Spyware is software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware causes pop-ups, slows Internet connection down, changes your browser's home page, opens security holes on your computer, etc.
- Install and use a third-party anti-adware tool such as Ad-Aware.
- For more information, go to our spyware page.
Never open unexpected email attachments
- Never open unexpected email attachments, even from someone you know.
- Before opening an attachment, confirm with the sender that they did in fact send the email.
- BCPL.NET will NEVER send you an email with an attachment. If you receive an email with an attachment from BCPL, delete it immediately; it is almost certainly a virus.
Check settings in Outlook Express
- There are several settings that can make Outlook Express more vulnerable. Disabling these settings will make Outlook Express significantly safer. Go to our Outlook Express Security webpage to disable these settings.
Suspicious email
- Never reply to a suspicious email or an advertising email.
- Never click on a suspicious link in an email. The link could point to a webpage containing malicious programs which could harm your computer. Some of the newer viruses can even infect your computer when you click on a link in an email.
- If you are unsure of the authenticity of an email, don't click on the included link. Instead, type the address in manually in the address bar of your browser. Example: If you receive an email claiming to be from your banking institution, don't click on any of the links in the email. Open up your web browser and type in the address for your bank instead. You should be able to safely get where you need to at that point.
- If you are not sure of an email, delete it immediately.
Never give out personal information through email
- Personal information includes, but is not limited to: credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, bank numbers, etc.
- If an email asks for personal information, do NOT provide it. Reputable companies will not ask for this sort of information through email.
Avoid websites with adult or illegal content
- Websites to watch out for: pornographic sites, gambling sites, sites with passwords/hacks/cracks, anything illegal, anything that sounds too good to be true.
- Why: These types of web sites often contain malicious software that can harm your computer. They could also contain stealth dialers which could make your computer dial long-distance phone numbers, costing you hundreds of dollars a month in toll fees.
Pop-ups
- Never click on a pop-up. Clicking in a pop-up ad can cause more popups to appear, spyware to be installed on your computer, or even make your computer crash. Click the X in the upper-right hand corner of the pop-up to close it, or press Alt-F4 on the keyboard.
- Install a pop-up blocker - The latest version of Windows XP (Service Pack 2 and up) contains a pop-up blocker built-in to Internet Explorer. Google also offers a free toolbar that will block pop-ups.
- Popups appearing when your web browser is closed can be a sign of spyware.
Internet Explorer security settings
- Set the security level of Internet Explorer to at least medium.
- In Internet Explorer, click Tools.
- Click Internet Options.
- Click the Security tab.
- The bar on the left should be set to Medium. If it is not, click Default Level.
- Click OK.
- Keep Internet Explorer up-to-date with Windows Update.
Be careful when doing financial transactions online
- Give payment only to businesses you know and trust.
- Use a secure browser. Most new browsers should support 128-bit encryption.
- Be very careful about giving out your credit card number online.
- For more information, visit the FTC's Shop Online Safely webpage.
Other
Be careful with your passwords
- Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols, and numbers. Some hackers use programs that can try every word in the dictionary. Don't use your personal information or login name as passwords.
- Never give out your password through e-mail, even someone claiming to be from BCPL.NET.
- Reputable sites will not ask for your password through e-mail.
Backup your data
- Why - If your computer crashes, backups prevent you from losing important information.
- What to backup - address book, important e-mails, important documents, favorites, anything that would be lost with a reinstall, any files you have created.
- Backups should be done on a regular basis, and before any major installation of software or hardware on your computer.
Disconnect from the Internet when not in use
- Why - The longer your computer is connected to the Internet, the greater the chance of your computer being hacked.
- Turn off the computer when done using it. There exists malicious software called stealth dialers. If installed on your computer, they can automatically dial long-distance numbers, racking up hundreds of dollars in toll fees.
What to do if your computer is infected.
- Take immediate action - You should take immediate steps to disinfect your PC, otherwise your PC will continue to spread viruses via e-mail. In addition, the fact that viruses sometimes generate their e-mails using text from files found on your PC means that potentially sensitive information from your PC may be distributed to others. Stay offline as much as possible while getting disinfected.
- Seek professional help - If you cannot disinfect your computer yourself, seek professional help. Please note that the Help Desk cannot assist in virus or spyware removal.