To help secure yourself when online, I think that these should be an important basic consideration.
Don't download from untrusted sources.
Run any doubtful apps through a Sandbox.
Sandboxie download here:
http://www.sandboxie.com/
Upload whatever possible files for online virus/spyware scanning.
www.virus-trap.org
www.virustotal.com
http://scanner.novirusthanks.org/
www.jotti.org
Use a safer web browser, for example Firefox,
http://www.mozilla.org/
with add-ons such as:
BetterPrivacy
Protects against 'Super'/Flash Cookies.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6623
Ghostery
Blocks hidden, 3rd party web bugs.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9609
NoScript
Additional protection, blocking of scrpts/plugins, on sites.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722
TACO
Sets permanent 'opt-out' cookies from 90 advertising sites.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11073
WOT - Web Of Trust
Web site safety ratings.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3456
KeySrambler
Protects against keyloggers.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3383
KeyScrambler installer software, download here:
http://www.qfxsoftware.com/
Make sure that your anti-virus/spyware definitions are up to date
and use a Firewall and a VPN.
Firewall - Just Google for one, as there are too many to list here. Also, See what other members here are saying about the various firewall's available.
VPN - Virtual Private Network.
www.itshidden.com
No software to install, and free.
NOTE: Although they claim that they do not keep any IP logs, to ensure privacy, and it clearly states on point 5 of their web site:
* Total Privacy, no records of your surfing are kept by us [Paid/Free]
Also:
What information do you store?
We do not store any information as we are not required to do so.
This seems to be in some doubt now, as pointed out by D3N, although I could not see that reference he included in his post here, anywhere on their web site!
But if any keeping of logs is not a major issue to you, just follow the setup instructions at the site, it's really simple and takes a couple of minutes to set it up.
I have found it to be very reliable and I'd prefer to trust them, above anybody else, because of what I said below.
Also, use a degree of common sense.
Safer surfing all!
Don't download from untrusted sources.
Run any doubtful apps through a Sandbox.
Sandboxie download here:
http://www.sandboxie.com/
Upload whatever possible files for online virus/spyware scanning.
www.virus-trap.org
www.virustotal.com
http://scanner.novirusthanks.org/
www.jotti.org
Use a safer web browser, for example Firefox,
http://www.mozilla.org/
with add-ons such as:
BetterPrivacy
Protects against 'Super'/Flash Cookies.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6623
Ghostery
Blocks hidden, 3rd party web bugs.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9609
NoScript
Additional protection, blocking of scrpts/plugins, on sites.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722
TACO
Sets permanent 'opt-out' cookies from 90 advertising sites.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11073
WOT - Web Of Trust
Web site safety ratings.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3456
KeySrambler
Protects against keyloggers.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3383
KeyScrambler installer software, download here:
http://www.qfxsoftware.com/
Make sure that your anti-virus/spyware definitions are up to date
and use a Firewall and a VPN.
Firewall - Just Google for one, as there are too many to list here. Also, See what other members here are saying about the various firewall's available.
VPN - Virtual Private Network.
www.itshidden.com
No software to install, and free.
NOTE: Although they claim that they do not keep any IP logs, to ensure privacy, and it clearly states on point 5 of their web site:
* Total Privacy, no records of your surfing are kept by us [Paid/Free]
Also:
What information do you store?
We do not store any information as we are not required to do so.
This seems to be in some doubt now, as pointed out by D3N, although I could not see that reference he included in his post here, anywhere on their web site!
But if any keeping of logs is not a major issue to you, just follow the setup instructions at the site, it's really simple and takes a couple of minutes to set it up.
I have found it to be very reliable and I'd prefer to trust them, above anybody else, because of what I said below.
Also, use a degree of common sense.
Safer surfing all!