Internet Safety, Security and Privacy
Securing Your System from Intruders
- Restricting Access
- Use the latest version of Windows
- Windows Password [ Start > Settings > Control Panel > Passwords ]
- Screen Saver Password [ Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Screen Saver ]
- Use "strong" passwords - don't record or share them
- Turn off File and Printer Sharing [ Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network > Configuration > File and Printer Sharing > Deselect and restart computer ]
- Turn off your system when not in use
- About Firewall Protection
- Privacy.net - http://www.privacy.net
- Gibson Research - http://grc.com
- Zone Alarm - http://www.zonealarm.com
- Sygate - http://www.sygate.com/swat/free/default.asp
- Tiny - http://www.tinysoftware.com/home/tiny2?pg=solo_download
- Outpost - htp://www.agnitum.com
- About Anti-virus Protection
- Symantec Security Response - http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html
- McAfee Anti-Virus - http://www.mcafee.com/anti-virus/
- F-Secure Security Information Center - http://www.datafellows.com/virus-info/
- Firewall and anti-virus software
- Norton Internet Security 2002 - http://www.symantec.com
- About Spyware and Web Bugs
- Spy Checker - http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html
- Ad-Aware - http://www.lavasoftus.com
- Bugnosis FAQ - http://www.bugnosis.org/faq.html
File Security
- Make regular backups of critical data
- Encrypt sensitive files (install ddcrypt.exe from floppy disk)
- Shred files and folders instead of deleting (install shredder.exe from floppy disk)
Email Security
- Use filters offered by your internet service provider
- Use secure mail systems
- Use email program filters
- Disable HTML email
- Don't open email attachments unless you are expecting them.
- Canada Post (ePost, posteCS) - http://www.canadapost.ca
- HushMail - http://www.hushmail.com
- Encrypt email messages and/or attachments with PGP - http://www.pgp.com
- Use web mail accounts for online registration
Browser Security
- Use the latest version browsers
- Delete Temporary Internet Files, Favorites and History
- Use filtering - RASC - http://www.rsac.org/homepage.asp
- Use filtering for children - Net Nanny - http://www.netnanny.com
- Browse anonymously - http://www.anonymizer.com
- Cookies (IE) - [ Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level ]
- Java permission (IE) - [ Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level ]
- Security (IE) - [ Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Security ]
- Only download software from sites you trust. Scan for viruses before installing.
- Check for the closed padlock or key symbol in the browser window before entering personal or credit card information on a web site
- Investigate Privacy Policies (IE) - [ View > Privacy Report ]
Privacy and Security Links
- Privacy Commissioner of Canada - http://www.privcom.gc.ca
- Privacy Quiz - http://www.privcom.gc.ca/quiz/index_e.asp
- Protecting Your Privacy on the Internet - http://www.privcom.gc.ca/fs-fi/02_05_d_13_e.asp
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act - http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/2/parlbus/chambus/house/bills/government/C-6/C-6_4/C-6_cover-E.html
- Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Alberta - http://www.oipc.ab.ca/home/
- Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy (FOIP) - http://www.oipc.ab.ca/foip/about.cfm
- Electronic Privacy Information Center - http://www.epic.org/
- Electronic Frontier Foundation - http://www.eff.org
- WWW Security FAQ - http://www.w3.org/Security/Faq/www-security-faq.html
- WebDevelopment: Security and Privacy - http://wdvl.internet.com/Internet/Security/resources.html
- WebReference: Internet Security - http://www.webreference.com/internet/security.html
- Learn The Net: Protect Yourself - http://www.learnthenet.com/english/section/protect.html
- Get Net Wise - http://www.getnetwise.org
- Stay Safe Online - http://www.staysafeonline.info/