The Internet has some pretty dark and scary back corners, and sometimes malicious software can pop up where you least expect it. No one can guarantee that you'll be 100% safe, but if you follow these tips and suggestions, you will definitely be safer, and able to browse with a bit more peace of mind.
* Use an outbound traffic analyzer to be notified when an application begins emitting new or unexpected traffic.
* Manually control web cookies while web browsing. The procedure for enabling this setting is different for each World Wide Web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, etc.). In order to enable this setting in Firefox click on "Tools", then "Options", choose the "Privacy" tab at the top then check the boxes "Accept cookies from sites" and "Accept third-party cookies". In the drop down menu below those boxes select "Keep Until: Ask me every time". After setting this option you will be presented with a choice whether to accept or deny cookies for most of the websites you visit. If you deny cookies related to the website you are attempting to visit then the website may not function as intended. Generally, most third party cookies are safe to "deny", but not always.
* Always keep anti-virus software definitions up to date. Upon installation, most antivirus software will ask you if you want definitions updated automatically. It will also be presented as an option within the software itself. Often your ISP (Internet Service Provider) will provide anti-virus software to you at no cost, so check their documentation for more information.
* Practice "defense-in-depth" by installing more than one anti-virus and/or anti-spyware/malware application. Contrary to popular belief, anti-virus vendors often have widely variable delays before a particular signature gets into their database. While they may be effectively the same 30 days after a piece of malware is released, you are most vulnerable in the hours immediately after release, a time at which having multiple anti-virus applications may save you from infection.
* Use a firewall. Firewalls come in many shapes and sizes with varying degrees of functionality and protection. Firewalls can be hardware or software based.
* Remember that everyone on the Internet is exposed to online criminals. Sources of both commercial and free software are targets for hacking, and care should be exercised when downloading and installing Internet-based software.
* Follow Microsoft's best practices for updating various Windows operating systems.
* Never blindly accept a security dialog or execute an unexpected file, even if it comes from a web site that you visit often. Even the largest web sites can be compromised to include malware downloads and other security risks. Always carefully read and evaluate the provided text before making a decision. When in doubt - deny or cancel.
