Boy, it is amazing what people will do to undermine our sense of security.

Most of us are pretty Internet savvy and know the rules for being safe when reading email or surfing the Internet.  The people who write viruses, hoaxes, and other malicious code are always looking at new ways to infect your computer.

The latest is called “infectious web pages.”  You go to a website and read through the web pages.  As you are reading the web pages, a virus or spyware is installed on your computer without your permission.

The best prevention is up-to-date firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software.  It also helps to have the latest browsers installed.  These software programs are already working to combat this latest threat.

Read “New Net threat: Infectious Web Pages” (MSN.com, Bob Sullivan, May 8, 2007) for more information and great links.

How to be safe on the Internet 

Here is a checklist of how to stay Internet safe.

  • Have anti-virus and anti-spyware software on our computers and keep it up-to-date to avoid the growing threats.
  • Have a firewall installed and keep it up-and-running.
  • When using a public Internet access, be cautious about working with financial, corporate intellectual property or other sensitive information.
  • Don’t click on email links that look like they come from credible financial institutions such as Paypal, eBay, or your bank.  Instead open your browser and go to your bank website manually.
  • Don’t give out sensitive information such as your social security number, account numbers or passwords over the phone to someone that says they are from your bank.  Banks would never ask this information over the phone.  It is best to call them at the number on your bank statement if you think it is valid.
  • Don’t click on links in unsolicited spam mail (prescription drugs, stock tips, etc).
  • Don’t open emails or attachments if you don’t know who they are coming from.
  • Don’t download and install software from peer-to-peer networks such as Limewire.  You never know if the source has been altered by a programmer to contain malicious code.
  • Keep up-to-date on the latest bug fixes for your Mac and/or Windows computer.  Both operating systems have programs that automatically run and install updates.
  • Don’t post confidential information (and make sure your kids don’t either) such as your address, personal description, photos of family and kids in your public website or profiles for instant messengers.