The following tools and tactics can help keep your information safe when browsing on your computer. Learn more about how to leverage firewalls, block viruses, and protect your device against attacks.
Firewalls & Browsers
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Install a personal firewall to control the information that goes to and from your computer.
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Use an Internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption.
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Disable the AutoComplete option for online financial companies or secured sites. The convenience of saving user details and passwords when logging into websites makes it very easy for those accessing an unprotected device to do the same.
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Keep your operating system and browser up-to-date—software updates often include security enhancements.
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Save or "bookmark" frequently visited and trusted websites to your list of favorites, then access those sites through your saved links.
Anti-Virus Protection
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Install anti-virus software on your computer to minimize the risk of your computer getting infected.
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Configure the anti-virus software to automatically notify you when new updates are available for download and to scan all in-coming and out-going emails.
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Daily, or at least once a week, perform a complete scan of your computer for viruses. These scans can usually be scheduled to run when you are asleep.
Anti-Spyware Protection
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To protect your computer against spying or Trojan horse programs, we recommend using an ad/spyware scanner software.
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Make sure that the anti-spy software is updated on a regular basis and that it is scanned to detect any ad/spyware.
