To protect yourself, your computer and your info while using the internet: - aggressively avoid using Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), rather, use Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ - avoid using Safari if using a Mac, use Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ - there are add-ons for Firefox that provide useful tools and added security, here's a few that provide some useful features: adblock plus, no script, flashblock, nuke anything enhanced, save session, tab utilities, unhide passwords, xmarks, statusbar date and other useful tools - avoid using Microsoft Outlook for email, use Mozilla Thunderbird: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/?icn=tabz - there are add-ons for Thunderbird that provide useful tools as well. Examine those add-ons and see if they will work for you, be careful to read about the add-ons to make sure they're safe. I use an add-on to extract attached file, pictures... have my security cameras email a picture, then thunderbird can extract those pictures and I can put them into a time lapsed video, or view them separately. IN GENERAL: - it is important for Microsoft users to have a FIREWALL. Be careful in selecting a firewall tool. The Microsoft firewall should work well. Downloading a free firewall may infect you, do NOT, ever, never, click on a link to have a site analyze your PC for performance... don't... ever. - Anti-virus software is out of date as soon as it's installed, but blocks existing viruses. Check with your ISP for their recommendations, they often provide a free tool. - Anti-virus is NOT needed for Linux systems and not really necessary for MacOS either. - if you are using Microsoft XP it is very important to AVOID using IE and Outlook, and you MUST use a firewall and anti-virus. Be careful of thumb drives or DVDs/CDs written to by other computers. Some viruses don't do anything noticeable... I have some other suggestions for Microsoft users at: http://meistertech.net/Microsoft/ - Linux would be the best Operating system to use for internet access, using Firefox and Thunderbird. - Using OpenOffice or LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office products will also reduce your chances of being impacted by viruses. - to obtain a free and secure copy of Apache OpenOffice: https://www.openoffice.org/download/index.html - to obtain a free and secure copy of Oracle LibreOffice: https://www.libreoffice.org/ The best setup for most users would be to use: 1) Linux (Mint with Mate desktop, or OpenSuSE with KDE), Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird and OpenOffice office suite. 2) MacOS with Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird and OpenOffice office suite. 3) Windows with a firewall, antivirus - NO financial activity or personal info, and Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird and OpenOffice office suite. 4) the Android based cell phones are using Linux as their base, but are using a lot of web-based tools that have vulnerabilities, but most certainly avoid the Windows versions if security is your concern 5) blackberry is also a viable smart phone, very secure, but an Android would be better... or so I've been told. 6) The iphone is good too, but it is proprietary... I find Apple products to be overbearing if you're a power user. PASSWORDS: - good passwords are you BEST security they should: - not contain any dictionary words or proper names... in ANY language (not kidding, and no foul language, brand names, or proper names... hackers are brilliant social engineers and observers of people, leveraging what is common for their advantage...) - should be different for every account and computer - should not be recorded in plain text on that computer - they say not to write them down and leave them by the computer; but writing them down and keeping that paper secure is a good idea. - change your passwords, some say every 90 days - do not share your passwords - use numbers and upper and lower case letters, and special characters if permitted - create acronyms to help your remember the passwords, e.g. TBbh1am$ - The Big bad hacker 1s(using one as an "i") after my $ystem (using a dollar sign as an "s").