How to Stay Safe on the Internet

Safe browsing starts at the consumer and common sense. Not everything on the internet is what it seems to be. That free Anti-Virus program that you downloaded off of Windows Antivirus 2009's website to scan your computer might just invite all those viruses in that you wanted out. That free game that you got off of www.TheBestFreeGamesEver.com might just be a virus or spy-ware program in disguise, more commonly known as a Trojan Horse. So, how do you know if you can trust it or not? See if a trusted source is recommending it, no, I do not mean your grandson saying "Hey grandma, check out this free game I found!" I mean a big well known company or your computer guy. AOL, Compuserve, Comcast, Microsoft, Tom's Hardware Guide, CompUSA, etc. are some examples. If you are still not sure certainly do not download it or run it!!! Here are some websites that I download free stuff on that I know should not have any viruses:
www.sourceforge.net
www.avast.com
www.openoffice.org
www.gimp.org
I do not recommend www.download.com or www.freewarefiles.com because the internet is just too wild out there and even if they scan all the programs on their sites every day they cannot catch every single virus. So, why do I recommend www.sourceforge.net? All of the programs they have on there are open source, meaning if I wanted to look at the code behind the program I can. Making it a lot harder for people to sneak viruses into their programs as they are accountable to the whole world! And if someone finds a virus in one of those programs the author will be disgraced and all other programs he puts out will be discounted as they might have viruses too. Even after you download files from a trusted source you should still use your anti-virus program to scan them, just to make sure. If you do not have an anti-virus program I recommend Avast! Antivirus and Spybot Search and Destroy installed together as a good free anti-virus and anti-spyware solution.

So, off the subject of free downloads, how else can you stay safe on the internet? Never go to websites that are too good to be true, seem shady, or make you uncomfortable, and if you find yourself on one, get off ASAP!!! Pop up windows are another thing that can carry viruses if you are browsing the web and all of a sudden a window pops up that bounces around. That is just an image, DO NOT CLICK ON IT!!!!!!! Now if a window pops up an acts like it is trying to scan your computer, without your permission close it immediately and click the "X" in all the boxes that pop up. One more thing you can do to keep your computer safe: Plugins. Plugins are little things that make some aspects of some websites run. Although most of them are legitimate, some are not. If you are not on a website that you trust do not download any plugins.

Anyone can practice safe browsing, all it takes is a little caution and common sense. And it can all be summed up in a few simple rules:

1. Do not download free programs without checking the source.
2. Always scan downloaded files.
3. Stay off of shady websites.
4. Always close pop-ups as soon as they come up, but never a bouncing window.
5. If you are still not sure, do not do it.