There are some good, easy ways to guard yourself so that threats don’t ruin your Internet experience.This article is about safety on social networking sites.
Popular social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace can be terrific ways to communicate with your close friends, share important life news, and build friendships and professional networks. However, they can also be sources of adware, trojans, and viruses(types of malwares). Hackers often use social networking sites to transmit these threats to your computer’s security throughout the Internet and to wide and successful effect.
Because of this, it’s important to defend yourself and your computer from these dangers with effective antivirus software so that you can still enjoy the benefits of such sites. Fortunately, there are some good, easy ways to guard yourself so that these threats don’t ruin your Internet experience.
1. Make Sure All Software And Anti-Spyware Is Updated On Your Computer
Updates of your software browser or computer system can contain plug-ins and add-ons that can help prevent harmful programs from invading your computer. If you do not regularly update such programs, it increases the chances that new and more harmful viruses will be able to penetrate your computer and cause it problems. Likewise, make sure your anti spyware programs, like Bullguard, are updated, so that they’ll be able to catch any other viruses that manage to get through. Also important is making sure that your firewall is updated, as that is a strong line of defense against threats to your computer getting through.
2. Be Careful Opening E-Mail From Social Networking Sites
This is one of the most common tactics hackers use, as most people will trust messages seemingly sent through a trusted site. However, e-mail sent by or through social networking sites can often contain attachments with viruses or other things harmful to your computer and its software.
3. Beware of Any Links
People often post URL links on networking sites to share information or stories with their friends. However, sometimes these links can be harmful, especially if your friend’s profile has been compromised or hacked and is distributing messages that you wouldn’t ordinarily expect that they’d send. As a result, harmful links and messages can often be distributed widely through friends who have had their security breached. Always be certain that a friend’s description of a link or reason for sending it out sounds in character for them or seems like something they would regularly do.
4. Don’t Share Account Passwords And Change Passwords Regularly
People who share their account passwords with others or don’t regularly change their account password put themselves at greater risk from hackers and others wanting to infiltrate their account. Be sure to guard your account information carefully so that this will not occur.
Hackers will always find different ways to make Internet sites more dangerous and less enjoyable. However, by taking some of these easy steps, it will make it harder for them to breach your computer’s security and increase the chances that you can have a fun and safe experience online. Protection doesn’t have to be expensive either free internet security software is available for download. If these steps are followed, then communicating with your friends online just might be a better, more pleasant, and safer experience to pursue.