Computer safety is a major issue for individuals, businesses and families because of the diligent and successful efforts by criminals who want to steal and by harassers or predators who want to cause personal harm. The categories of computer safety are legion, but for the average user, there are some areas that should get the most and the most constant attention.
First of all, proctecting access to the computer itself is the first thing that a user should do. Setting up a system administrator and a trusted secondary administrator who can do the high level functions and commands is essential. The security of the computer, itself, is determined at the system administrator level. That job calls for a password that only the administrator knows.
Second of all, the password needs to be strong, stored securely in case it is forgotten, and has to be used every time the system administrator want access to the computer. A strong password (or "strong authentication") contains enough random numbers and letters to make no sense to anyone who knows a lot about the user. The pet dog's name, mother's maiden name, birth dates, and so on will not do. They can be easily figured out. But the problems with a strong password are that they are hard to memorize and can easily be forgotten, so the word must be stored where it can be retrieved, but not stolen.
Third, setting up individual accounts with user access only, rather than allowing everyone to log on at will, allows each family member to have their own activity and password. Again, there are issues with password protection and so on, but the administrator can correct them by closing and opening the individual accounts. In a normal family, it may not be necessary to set up individual accounts, but they help when friends and visitors are constantly coming and going, and they help to monitor the kid's activity to a certain extent.
Fourth, before going on line, a security software is essential! The two biggies, McAfee and Trend Micro are very easy to install and customize, and will automatically update when a new threat is being dealt with. These software also scan for viruses at scheduled times or when instituted. Customizing firewall levels and protection levels, blocking pop ups, and setting parental controls are now options that can be done to control access to problematic sites.
Fifth, learning about e-mail account provision and what security is provided by the host is essential. Reading the updates and getting to know the various ways of reporting and blocking spam is essential to avoiding viruses that come in e-mails and attachments. Remembering that even close friends and family members can unknowingly send viruses in their e-mails is also essential. A good E-mail host will pre screen and warn of viruses in e-mails before you open them.
Sixth, be careful when registering at sites! Some sites will sell your phone number and other information. At social networking sites, get to know the options for protecting your privacy and for checking people out before giving them access to your information and identity. There is no rush! You can follow people for a while, see what they say and post, and then decide whether you trust them. Remember that anyone can post a fake name, photo, and intent on line, and may not be who they say that they are.
Finally, being savvy and thinking critically are important when on line, especially when online banking and shopping is involved. Know the security features of any banking and shopping site that you use.
...Never respond to "urgent notices" from your bank or other finance sites that come in your e-mail. Go to the site, using the address that you know, not the address in the e-mail, and see if anything is wrong. If needed, call or go to the bank and report the e-mail. If you do not see "https" as opposed to "http:" in the url, or your security software icon in the lower right corner indicates an unauthenticated site, then make inquiries to see if you are being directed to a bogus site that is identical, but is set up to collect your password and other information.
...Use advanced search engine options before clicking on links, This can help to prevent being steered to bogus sites, screening out irrelevant sites, and narrowing down the search.
...Periodically search for news and government sites about the latest scams and on line criminal activity that might apply to your type of on line work. The FBI has a scam alert page.