by Matt Ware

Created on: February 27, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

Well congratulations, you have made it to a safe website. Well done. That may seem sarcastic but, really, in today's world that's quite a feat. Many of us have had personal experiences with sites that gave us a ton of programs we didn't even want! And now we get pop-ups from the programs we didn't even install. If you're one of the people who has had this happen to you but have cleaned your computer out (like I have), or you're one of the lucky ones who hasn't been hit by it yet, here's how to avoid it in the future.

Let's start with the basics. Firewall. What is a firewall you may ask? A firewall is a program that, in simple terms, stops programs (that you choose) from accessing the internet on your computer. This is helpful when it comes to spyware and adware, until you have the time to go in and destroy the virus program. Most firewalls are helpful, too! They will usually display a window of some kind that tells you what the program is, why it's blocked, and what the firewall program recommends you do. I highly recommend a firewall program, which all Windows computers come with, and if you want to be extra safe, get another from Mcafee or Norton.

A second way to be safe is to watch the sites you go on. Word for the wise: adult content and sites that offer illegal content are usually bad ideas. Very bad. You wouldn't believe the number of people I know who have gone onto these kinds of sites and gotten over 100 virus files, from just one click! Imagine if you visit that site daily. Your computer could be in some serious trouble.

A third method would be to not keep your Internet files too long. Delete your cookies and history daily, or even weekly. Leaving your cookies on the computer for a long time if you've accessed the wrong sites is not a good idea. It's simple to delete your cookies and history on both IE and Firefox. Go to the "Tools" menu and click "Internet options." There, you will see delete cookies and delete history. You can even set your computer to do it automatically when you log off the Internet! This is a very good idea if you are worried that the sites you visit are being monitored by a virus program.

Using all of these methods is a good way to stay safe online. The Internet can be a fun and safe place, provided you know what you're doing. Stay sharp, and always be aware of where you're going.

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