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PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM INTERNET
THREATS
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| Q: What are three critical steps to ensure I have a minimal level of
protection? |
| Q: What other measures can I take to ensure that I am protected while
using the Internet? |
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Q: What are the three critical
steps to ensure I have a minimal level of protection?
A: Step 1
: Ensure you are downloading and installing all new Windows Updates for
your operating systems (see http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com for more info). COGECO
recommends that you set your PC to automatically download and install new
updates.
Step 2 : Install properly configured antivirus
and firewall software and maintain your subscription. We recommend COGECO
Security Services which offers pre-configured software to ensure that it is
optimized to provide the best protection for the average
user.
Step 3 : Always use common sense. If it sounds too
good to be true, it probably is. Be on the alert for any suspicious e-mails,
pop-up ads, Websites or similar things on the Internet. Also beware of anything
that looks unusual coming from a "trusted" source or friend /colleague or
something that you would not expect to receive from them. Viruses and hackers
often use victims' e-mail address books to gain their friends /colleagues
trust.
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Q:
What other measures can
I take to ensure that I am protected while using the
Internet?
A:
Abiding by the following guidelines will help you to
create a safe Internet experience for yourself .
The probability of being
affected by most of the serious threats on the Internet can be significantly
reduced by simply ensuring your operating system is up-to-date with the most
recent updates ( http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com ), and by running a
properly configured and updated firewall and antivirus product. COGECO's
Security Services offer antivirus and Firewall protection combined with other
services like Anti-Spam, Anti-Phishing, Cookie Control, Pop-Up Blocker and Parental Control (Web Filtering) in one
product.
In addition to ensuring your PC is up-to-date with the latest
Windows updates and running a firewall and antivirus product, there are some
basic guidelines you can follow to ensure a safe online experience:
1. Be
cautious when downloading any attachments or programs . Make sure that the
Website from which you are downloading is genuine and trusted. If you are unsure
of the safety of an attachment or a download, be sure to perform a full virus
scan on the attachment or program. COGECO Security Services automatically scan
all incoming e-mails for viruses, while other software products may or may not.
When in doubt, before you open an attachment, it is also recommended to double
check if a friend or colleague intended to send you that specific attachment
before opening it.
2. Be suspicious of pop-up ads and e-mails
suggesting that you have security weaknesses or that your PC is not protected.
Usually these "warnings" are simply shock or unethical advertisements.
3.
Supervise young children and novice users on the Internet. New users and
children will often disable security products such as antivirus and firewalls
since they prevent them from performing some task or downloading some
programs.
4. Keep passwords private and avoid using the same or common
passwords for all your services. We strongly advise you use unique passwords
that employ both letters and numbers for critical services such as online
banking.
5. Never send sensitive information via e-mail and never answer
any unexpected e-mail requesting confidential information or passwords. If you are
suspicious of any requests from organizations you do business with, do not
hesitate to contact them by other means (ie: telephone, storefront, etc.) to
validate the request. Any legitimate organization will answer your questions and
respect your preferences, if you prefer not to use e-mail or a
Website.
6. Do not reveal personal information to strangers or "friends"
or "suppliers" you have met online. A common tactic by fraudsters is to befriend someone online
long enough to get them to reveal sensitive information.
7. Beware of Web
sites that offer some sort of reward or prize in exchange for your contact
information or other sensitive information. Generally a simple Internet search
on the site or contest will reveal details as to whether or not this is a
scam.
8. Do not reply to spammers for any reason, even to unsubscribe.
Unless you have subscribed, any unsubscribe request will only serve
to confirm that your e-mail address is valid and being read. See the 'how to report spam'
section for information on what to do about spam.
9. Never submit a
credit card number or other highly sensitive information without ensuring that
your connection is secure (encrypted). In Internet Explorer look for a closed
lock icon at the bottom of the browser window. You can also look at the web
address: a secure connection will begin with https:// instead of
http:// .
10. Consider turning off your PC or disconnecting it from the Internet
if you are going to be away for an extended period of time. If you leave it on,
ensure you have automatic updates turned on. Often critical updates or new
threats are released and if you do not have automatic updates turned on for both
Windows as well as your antivirus and firewall products, your system may be compromised
while you are away.
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