When you take a computer online, you must be prepared for a hostile word. The bad guys are working hard to compromise your computer for a wide range of reasons. Some of which are:

• Acquire personal information from accessing your computer’s files or even installing a program that will monitor your keyboard input.
• To present advertisements to you via pop up windows (even if you are not connected to the Internet).
• To do malicious damage to your computer files.
• Present you with a web page or form that looks legitimate in hopes you will be tricked into providing your personal information, This scheme is called “phishing”.
• To “zombie” your computer by installing a hidden program on it that allows your computer to be used for malicious actions. Your computer could be used to spread spam or even be partnered with thousands of other computers to hit the same web page at the same time and take the site down.

Almost everyone is aware that you need to take some precautions; however, far too many people rely on anti-virus software to protect their computer. While software can help, your personal online behavior is actually more important. A person who follows a very strict regiment could actually surf the Internet safely without any ant-virus software.

On his weekly call in radio show, The Tech Guy, Leo Laporte covered the five most important things a person can do to keep safe while on on the Internet. The audio clip below is from his radio show.

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