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Internet Safety FAQ
Is the Internet secure?
On a broad level, the Internet itself is not very secure today.
However, Internet access on an individual basis is as secure as each
customer makes it. Customers need to implement security options such as
encryption and firewalls to protect their data and internal networks. [top]
How safe is the Internet, exactly?
The Internet, not being controlled or patrolled, is only as safe as the
world in which we live. But not to worry — if you're cautious about
what you do with your personal information and what programs you run on
your computer, you'll be safe enough to be pretty well stress free.
Some of these things are very simple and are becoming as customary as
locking your doors at night, getting a regular checkup from your
doctor, and closing the blinds at dusk. [top]
What can I do to protect my information?
Be careful about who you give
personal information to. Don't send your credit card number, social
security number, or other sensitive information over an insecure connection on
the Web.
Chances are that nobody is
watching the data you send out, but unless the information is over a secure (encrypted)
connection, you can't be reasonably sure that it's safe.
Sadly, there are some people
out there who try and look for credit card numbers and the like, but it's
practically impossible to decrypt a standard encrypted transmission.
Simply being sure that before you enter this data that you're on a secure
connection will protect you from these harms.
- In Internet Explorer,
a little lock icon (
 )
will appear in the status bar at the bottom of the window indicating a
secure connection is present and that any data you send is protected from
any snoops seeing. To view more detailed information about the
security "certificate" the secure site has (an Internet-standard
means of verifying the secure site is for real and that the company has been
reviewed as being legitimate), just double-click on the lock.
- In Netscape Navigator,
the open lock that always shows in the lower-left-hand corner (
 )
will show as being locked ( )
when the connection is secure. To view more detailed information about
the security "certificate" the secure site has, just double-click
on the lock.
If you find that a security
certificate doesn't match the company or appears to be invalid or revoked, you
might reconsider sending your data to them.
[top]
What can I do to protect my computer?
If you're using Windows 98,
your computer has built-in features that provide basic security for your data,
and Windows 98 will warn you about potential hazards if they arise.
Windows NT also functions like this, and the up-and-coming versions of Windows
2000 will have even more. Internet Explorer and Netscape both have
features like this built-in, and are made better with each subsequent major
release of the browsers.
One common way that people
can see files on your computer is if you inadvertently have your computer set to
share all your files over the Internet. To ensure your data isn't being
publicly shared in Windows 95 or 98, simply follow these steps:
- Go into your Control Panel. You can find this on your Start Menu under Settings.
- Double-click on the Network icon.
- Find TCP/IP --> Dial-Up Adapter in the list of installed network components and
double-click on it.
*If you only have one TCP/IP listed and it isn't tied to any adapter, then simply
double-click on that.
- Go to the Bindings tab in the TCP/IP Properties.
- Make sure that File and Printer Sharing (if it even shows there) isn't checked.
- Click OK on any remaining dialog boxes to save your information and exit. If you're
prompted to reboot your computer, do so.
[top]
What is the most secure type of connection (DSL, Cable, or Dial-Up)?
The most secure type of connection is Dial-Up, because every time you
connect to the Internet, you are given a new IP address. With cable,
however and most likely with DSL as well, your IP address will remain
the same unless you go and get it changed. [top]
Can someone attack my computer when I am not connected to a network or the Internet?
No, the only way anyone can attack your computer when you are not
connected to any network is for that person to physically be at your
computer. [top]
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