Safe ways of computing

In today's world, cyber space is important in every aspect of life. It has many advantages and disadvantages too. Hacking of email id's, fraud transactions being made through credit card, tarnishing a person's image especially in social networking sites etc are all very common nowadays. It is best to follow some tips that can help you to enjoy surfing the net as well as protect you from any problems that can occur through computers and networking.

SAFE COMPUTING TIPS

1. Do not reveal personal information to unknown people or websites - Most of them, a person unknowingly shares his personal identity to strangers and websites with which they don't have any close association. It is very dangerous to share personal information because such strangers might use your information in a wrong way and try to tarnish your image in the society.

2. Don't leave your computer unattended - Never leave you computer unlocked and unattended at offices and other public places because other people will get the chance to use your data and manipulate it according to their wish and you will end up losing your vital data.

3. Back up important files regularly - It is always a good habit to keep a back up of all your important files at regular intervals. In this way, you will not lose any vital information even if the computer crashes or any other malfunction takes place with the computer.

4. Make hard-to-guess passwords. Keep them private and don't share it with even close people. It is also very important to keep changing your password regularly.

5. Don't open mails from unknown sources - Many of the mails that come to our inbox are spam or virus- infected mails. Opening such mails can cause serious and irreversible damage to your computer. It is best to ignore such mails and delete them immediately from the inbox.

6. Use anti-virus, anti-spy ware and firewall and update them regularly - Use the latest anti-virus software and keep updating them time to time so that if ever your computer gets infected with virus, you can delete them as soon as possible.

7. Update your operating system and web browser regularly.

8. Maintain a regular backup of all names and email id addresses in your contact list.

SAFE ONLINE BANKING

1. Keep your passwords/ PIN codes safe and memorize them - Never share your online banking passwords even to close people.

2. Don't copy or click on any links attached to emails.

3. Logout immediately after you have completed your online transaction - It is best not to linger on in the site once you have completed making your transaction.

4. Check that the online banking website is secure.

5. Use an anti-virus, anti-spy ware and personal firewall and update them regularly.

6. Read privacy and policy statements before any transaction - One seldom reads the privacy statements that are shown before making transactions. Read them carefully to protect your accounts from fraud transactions.

7. Don't respond to emails asking for your personal information - You might get frequent mails asserting that it is from the bank itself and they need your PIN code or other personal information for their official purpose. Never fall for such mails and avoid revealing any sensitive information online.

8. Check your account statements frequently to ensure that no unauthorized or fraud transactions have taken place - It is a good practice to check your accounts online atleast once in a week so that if any unknown transactions have taken place, you can immediately report it to the bank and they can block your account from further transactions.

SAFE SOCIAL NETWORKING

1. Don't reveal too much information about yourself online - What you post online is not private. It can be seen by everyone. So be careful about whatever information you reveal in your site.

2. Add people as friends to your account only if you know them personally - Don't accept stranger's friend requests. Most of the time such people are the ones who meddle with other people's information or hack into other's accounts.

3. Delete inappropriate messages from your profile.

4. Be careful while communicating with people you have met recently online.

5. Don't post information about your friends as you might put them in risk - Don't cause trouble for your friends by displaying information about them in your account.

SHOP SAFELY ONLINE

1. Shop with merchants that you know or trust.

2. Don't share passwords.

3. Read the privacy statement.

4. Use an anti-virus, anti-spy ware and personal firewall and update them regularly.

5. Always print and keep the order confirmation document.

6. Check that the shopping website is secure.

7. Be careful of unsolicited phone calls or emails from merchants.

8. Read merchant's refund and exchange policies before making your purchases.

9. Never enter your personal information in a pop-up screen.