For a public network or even at home, how about a VPN??
Personally, I would ONLY use a public computer for surfing the net to look at the news and for information (e.g. What’s a baby kangaroo called?). Too many times I have seen grossly outdated software on public computers.
For email, you can have an email address just for newsletters, banking, etc. or use disposable addresses. Never give out the banking email to anyone. (You’ll still have to be careful where you purchase things, as the companies may share your information with 3rd parties.)
Use the security features of sites/institutions. Paypal & eBay have a code key that you can use with those sites. Some of the credit cards have a security key or an app where you can generate an alternate number & even set a $ amount for use at an online store.
Look over your statements–like a hawk.
If your computer is ever infected, clean install. Backup regularly & keep a backup. Keep a backup of the backup.
Counter ads & tracking. Set your flash player settings & then put the file as read only. Keep your computer up-to-date.
An easy way to create passwords is to form one with every vowel of the alphabet, use symbols where you can . , _ , – , some capital letters and make sure it doesn’t have any word out of the dictionary in it.
If you making up a password & in doing so you end up with “fit” in it, then change it.
For sites that limit your characters, use a gibberish password, one that is just random letters, numbers and symbols.
Use a separate email for all sites that do not have encrypted login (usually forums). Make sure the page is encrypted when you put in your password; sometimes a page may not load properly and that’s where you end up with problems.
Use a browser that will block all unsecure content on a secure page.
For a public network or even at home, how about a VPN??
Personally, I would ONLY use a public computer for surfing the net to look at the news and for information (e.g. What’s a baby kangaroo called?). Too many times I have seen grossly outdated software on public computers.
For email, you can have an email address just for newsletters, banking, etc. or use disposable addresses. Never give out the banking email to anyone. (You’ll still have to be careful where you purchase things, as the companies may share your information with 3rd parties.)
Use the security features of sites/institutions. Paypal & eBay have a code key that you can use with those sites. Some of the credit cards have a security key or an app where you can generate an alternate number & even set a $ amount for use at an online store.
Look over your statements–like a hawk.
If your computer is ever infected, clean install. Backup regularly & keep a backup. Keep a backup of the backup.
Counter ads & tracking. Set your flash player settings & then put the file as read only. Keep your computer up-to-date.
An easy way to create passwords is to form one with every vowel of the alphabet, use symbols where you can . , _ , – , some capital letters and make sure it doesn’t have any word out of the dictionary in it.
If you making up a password & in doing so you end up with “fit” in it, then change it.
For sites that limit your characters, use a gibberish password, one that is just random letters, numbers and symbols.
Use a separate email for all sites that do not have encrypted login (usually forums). Make sure the page is encrypted when you put in your password; sometimes a page may not load properly and that’s where you end up with problems.
Use a browser that will block all unsecure content on a secure page.
A good collection of tips. Thanks for sharing them. 😉
Good tip Ciprian
Thank you!