Protect yourself BEFORE you get on the internet.
- AdAware SE - http://www.lavasoft.com/
- AVG Anti-Virus - http://free.grisoft.com
- SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Install these programs and keep them up to date!
Make sure your Windows OS is kept up to date on all Critical Updates.
Use a Software or Hardware Firewall, especially if you are on a High Speed Internet connection.
Dial Up internet gives you a different IP each time you log in so it is harder for a hacker to find your computer. High speed access gives you an IP that might stay with you for a while, allowing hackers time to locate any vulnerability you might have in your system.
SAFE BROWSING
Use Mozilla Firefox® as your Browser
Use Mozilla Thunderbird as your Email Client 
The above products do not allow Active X controls to be used to install malicious
spyware, adware and malware onto you computer.
This allows you to surf the web with the comfort of knowing that your software is not working against you.
SHOPPING ONLINE SAFELY
Only shop where you see at least 128 bit encryption is used.
 How to tell? Look for the https:// instead of the normal http:// in the URL of the website, and your browser should display a small lock indicating a security certificate has been installed.
Make sure the website offers information such as a physical address and or phone numbers to contact some one. If you can’t tell WHERE this company is located then I don’t recommend you buy from them.
Check out their Privacy Policy to make sure they won’t share your information once you have signed up.
EMAIL SAFETY – PHISHING SCAMS
More and more information is being stolen from individuals who unknowingly give it away. Emails that arrive appearing to be from a Bank, Paypal, or Ebay that tell you your account is in some sort of peril unless you login and update your info are ALL Phishing Scams. What they have done is stolen the graphics from these sites to make their websites appear real. Those who unwittingly click the link and log into these rogue websites have just given their login access and information to the Crooks.
Your financial Institutions are all aware of these scams, and will not ask you to login to anything from an email. For more information contact your financial institution and get them to explain how better to protect yourself.
All the above software is FREE to download and use. There is no excuse for not protecting yourself.
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