Safe Surfing
The Internet is a wondrous
technology — enabling family and friends miles apart to
keep in constant contact, offering us a world of libraries
to explore and giving everyone a media in which to freely
express their own ideas. But — between hackers, viruses
and privacy threats — there is a downside to the Web.
Can you enjoy the valuable resources available through the
Internet, while protecting yourself? Yes. In this article,
we'll outline the best tips and tools to help you surf
safely.
Privacy Please
Believe it or not, a hacker could probably crack your
typical password in minutes using a variety of readily
available software programs — and gain entry to your
Internet account or steal personal files. Thwart their
efforts by choosing your password wisely. Choose an
alphanumeric password that is at least six characters
long. Think up creative combos that you'll easily
remember. For example, use your college town and
graduation year or your favorite movie and lucky number.
Additionally, Norton
Internet Security 2003 can protect you from
falling victim to hackers by blocking attacks and
automatically alerting you to suspicious activities,
including unauthorized connections and attempted
intrusions.
Sex, Drugs and
Violence — Oh My!
After stumbling upon a tasteless Web site, you may quickly
click away in disgust, but what about your children? How
do you protect them from viewing Web sites that might
frighten or confuse them? Since you can't stand over their
shoulder each time they surf online, you need to take the
offensive when it comes to the dark side of the Web.
- First, talk to your children. If they
are young, let them know that they should tell you if
they see something scary on the 'Net. If they're
older, discuss which kinds of Web sites are acceptable
surfing in your family, and which are not.
- Second, be proactive. Frequently view
the "History" file on your browser to find
out what types of Web sites your kids are surfing.
- Third, take action. With Norton
Internet Security 2003, you can prevent your
kids from viewing malevolent content altogether. Norton
Internet Security 2002 can automatically block
hundreds of Web sites known to be unacceptable for
children. Plus, you can easily configure Norton
Internet Security 2000 to block additional Web sites
that you'd rather not expose them to.
Shop 'til You
Drop — Online
No long lines. No competition for great parking spots. No
closing time. For many people, online shopping makes
stress-free shopping a dream come true. There are tons of
great deals online, but you need to shop smart to avoid
credit card fraud and to protect your privacy. Order from
reputable vendors. There are several ways to determine if
a vendor is reputable. Do they have offline contact info
— or just an e-mail address? Do they answer inquiries
promptly? Do they have a privacy policy page on their Web
site? Norton Internet Security 2000 can help you shop
online anonymously by shielding your computer from
unwanted "cookies," which are programs that
transmit data, including your e-mail address, credit card
numbers and surfing habits, to Web sites without your
permission.
To avoid credit card fraud, order via
secure servers. A transaction conducted on an insecure
server means that anyone could view the transmission of
your credit card number and other personal information.
You can easily tell if a Web site is secure by looking in
the bottom corner of your browser. A broken lock or key
means that it's not secure, no matter what the vendor
claims.
Healthy
Computers
They're lurking in downloads or your in-box. They can
cripple your computer in minutes. Whether it's Active X
code, Trojan horses or Macros, viruses and worms are more
prevalent than ever — especially on the Internet. To
protect your computer investment, you've got to be on the
defense constantly. Norton Internet Security 2002
comes with a full version of Norton AntiVirus, so
that you leverage the most comprehensive, powerful
protection against Internet threats each time you're
online. Never open e-mail from people who you don't know
and download only from reputable sources. Scan all e-mail
attachments and downloads — before opening them — with Norton
Antivirus 2003 Professional. Since new viruses are created daily,
always remember to update your virus definitions
frequently. Remember to take precautions when you
surf online by using these tips and Norton
Internet Security 2003, so that you can enjoy the
Internet without worry.
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