Ten Rules for Safe Surfing

Today, a large number of users are using the internet. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of these users are not familiar with the fundamental aspects of security practices when using internet services, as stated on the CERT website, the national center for computer security.

This leads to a wide range of problems, including computer infections, theft of confidential information, identity theft, and more. CERT provides an overview of security components and advice for using internet services to avoid these inconveniences and to use the internet efficiently and safely.

Ten Golden Rules for Safe Surfing

1. Regularly update and upgrade your computer’s operating system and antivirus program. Be sure to install an antivirus program if you do not have one.

2. Use secure browsers with security extensions and update them regularly.

3. Use the internet responsibly and behave as if you are in a public place because the same rules apply on the internet; this means that theft, attacks, and hate speech are punished just like elsewhere.

4. Do not trust all the information you find and use it wisely.

5. Do not use content you download before checking it and be careful about who and where you are downloading material from.

6. Do not send confidential information via email; do not leave your email address on sites that are accessible to everyone.

7. Do not download and distribute commercial material as doing so constitutes a criminal offense.

8. Ignorance is not an excuse; a computer cannot commit an offense, but you can. If something is unclear to you or you are not familiar with a service, ask an expert. Every serious internet service has a department that responds to user inquiries.

9. Log out of any site you were previously logged into.

10. Use verified sites, especially when leaving sensitive personal data and when using online financial services.  (www.cert.hr)