Below is a list of precautions you can take for remaining safe.

1. Viruses

Viruses are malicious programs that can damage to your computer and files. Once they infect your computer, they can rapidly spread via email or the Internet.

To protect yourself against viruses:

• Ensure you have up-to-date anti-virus software: remember new viruses are discovered all the time.
• Downloading files. Always ensure you know the source is trusted before downloading files from the internet or from devices like flash drives, CDs, DVDs, etc. Always scan downloaded files for viruses and spyware before opening.
• Opening email attachments. Always ensure you know the source of email before downloading email attachments. Always scan attachments for viruses and spyware before opening.
• Sharing devices: Always ensure you run a virus and spyware scan before downloading or opening files from devices which you may share like flash drives, USB drives, CDs, DVDs, etc.

Below is a list of vendors who sell antivirus software.

2. Spyware and other malware

Spywares are malicious programs which run on your computers, chewing up resources and causing damage. These are often used for displaying advertisements (adware) and pop up windows. Other types of spyware collect credit card and other personal information from your computer for stealing your identity. Key loggers are a type of spyware which records all your key strokes and transmits this information often via email.

Signs that your computer is infected with malware:

• Your home page is changed
• New toolbars are automatically added in your web browser
• Your computer becomes very sluggish or crashes.
• Your computer dials toll calls automatically.
• You are specially at risk if you visit free music sites or peer-to-peer sharing websites and download files.

Below is a list of vendors who sell anti-spyware software.

3. Emails

Ensure that your antivirus and antispyware programs scan emails as they arrive on your computer.

4. Phishing Emails

Phishing emails: Scammers can send what appears to be legitimate emails which direct you to other websites like a bank. They ask you for personal information. Banks never ask for personal information. Check with your bank before replying to any such emails.

5. Spam

Spam is commercial unsolicited junk emails you don't want to receive. To reduce receiving spam

1. Provide your primary email address only to people you absolutely trust.
2. Do not open spam messages. This tells the spammer that your email address is valid.
3. Ensure spam is directed automatically to Junk email folder, then quickly look at it without opening it (to make sure that any legitimate email is not accidentally labelled as spam), then delete it.
4. Messages you believe are spam can be informed to your ISP.

6. Firewall

A firewall is a software which identifies and block hackers from accessing your computer, while at the same time allowing you access to information.

Below is a list of vendors who sell firewall software.

7. Security updates

In addition to up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware software, it is essential that you regularly update your internet browser and your computer with security updates. These updates are provided by software manufacturers.

8. Passwords

• Ensure that you do not disclose your password to anyone and that you do not write it down
• Ensure that your password contains letters as well as numbers
• Ensure that your password is not a simple word that can be easily guessed.
• Immediately change your password if you believe it has become compromised.
• Remember you are responsible for keeping your password safe.

9. Internet and children

As a caregiver, you should have concerns about your children using the internet.

• Ensure that your computer is in a room with adults where they can see what your child is assessing on the internet or the computer.
• Use software which can specifically block undesirable sites.
• Communicate with your child. Teach the child not to give name, passwords or personal information on websites or in emails and to immediately inform you.

Child-safe software vendors: