If you shop online Australia is a great place to do so. Our government security agencies are highly effective and amongst the most efficient in the world at dealing with online crime. However it of course helps if we take steps to ensure that we do not expose ourselves to unnecessary risks when we shop online as there is not always authoritative recourse when our money goes missing or our details get stolen. With that in mind we decided to put together a list of ways you can protect your computer at home beyond simple safe browsing habits.
Firstly anti-virus software is an absolute must as it will help detect potential worry sites and the existence of malware or spyware on your computer that could cause the information you enter online to be transmitted to third parties. Spy ware works by recording information you enter online and the sites you enter on it. This means it can potentially compromise your details even if you are using a secure form of online payment and an encrypted site for your shopping. This kind of spy ware is most often found in downloads (not just illegal but also freeware and a variety of other mediums) but increasingly is also added simply by clicking advertisements and dodgy links which can allow a brief window of access to your home system. Regularly scanning downloads and your computer for this kind of tampering is the number one preventative method for avoiding your details being stolen. Always be wary of offered downloads and scan before install. If a site requires you to install new software or upgrade your existing software go through the official sites rather than directly downloading from the location you are currently at. This will keep you as safe as possible. If you detect a virus refrain from visiting any sites which require personal details or passwords such as Facebook, PayPal etc.
Secondly check your firewall. Having a firewall in place and linked to your security software will block most computer attacks designed at installing spyware or simply stealing your details. Having your firewall disabled is basically opening the door for anyone with technical skills to hijack your computer for their own ends. Check in your computers settings that firewall is enabled and functioning. If any program then tries to access your system or install/update software you will be notified and authorization requested. If you are not sure an update is legitimate head to the company page and check there.
Thirdly update regularly. This applies to a broad range of things that can potentially open you up to having your details stolen. First off we know that updates can be a pain and you often simply ignore them but certain updates are essential to maintaining your home security. Firstly system updates are something not to be avoided. Your system will usually notify you when it needs updating and it is recommended that you do this straight away. System updates often fix security problems and increase protection as well as adapting to recently discovered viruses meaning your home system will be more secure after most updates. Secondly your security software itself; whilst many automatically update many require you to update manually (although they usually notify you when an update is available). Viruses and spyware often spreads incredibly quickly so it is advisable to update as often as you can and re-scan your computer after each update. Thirdly update your browser when it is offered as new browsers often come with increased security updates meaning your information is less likely to be leaked.
Finally regularly schedule all updates and regularly clear your browsing history and cookies as these can be stolen if an attack takes place. If you think your computer has become infected search for a remedy online and if not take it to a professional for fixing.
Author Bio: Steve writes about online shopping in Australia, in addition to using portals such as ShopAndEarn where you can earn rewards for items purchased online.
This article originally appeared at - tech2date
