by Rhonda Buffington

Created on: November 10, 2010

Browsing the internet securely gets more difficult every day. There is always someone looking to steal personal information or put spyware on your computer to track your computer use. Luckily, there are programs you can purchase - as well as some free programs - to help keep your computer as secure as possible. However, keeping your programs updated is probably the most important thing you can do.

How To Browse the Internet Securely

As the internet continues to grow, browsing the internet securely becomes more difficult. Unfortunately, there are people who enjoy creating havoc. Perhaps it makes them feel inferior to those they cause this aggravation. Whatever the reason, software programmers are constantly on their toes to prevent crooks from getting your personal information.

When you are visiting a website where you will be submitting your personal information, always make sure the address bar shows the “s” after http. (https://) The S means it is secure. If it’s not there, do not send any personal information through that website.

Updates Are Very Important

One of the most important things you can do to help browse the internet securely is to keep windows updated. Check your settings on your window updates to see if the updates will automatically download and install or if you may need to manually check for updates. If you are not sure how to check the settings, you can usually find that information by going to the help in that particular program. Some folks prefer to set their updates to automatically download and install. This helps tremendously since you will not have to remember to manually go into each program and update everything. Using the automatic update, your computer is updated as soon as a new one is released.  

New Computers Virus Protection Does Not Keep Updating Unless You Purchase It

Some people think when they buy a new computer - and it has a virus protector on it - their computer is safe. This is not true. If a virus protector is on the new computer, it is more than likely a trial period. Which means, if you don’t purchase it after the trial period, it will not keep updating. Remember, if it is not updating, your computer will be open for viruses, malware and/or spyware.

There are several virus protectors online that you can download and use free. AVG and Avast are two free virus protectors that are popular. If, after using it for a little while you like the protection you get with it, you can pay for

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