How to Avoid Trouble Online

Vigilance is still the best defense

You'll never be safe online if you don't have "web smarts". [simple example]

Most successful online attacks take advantage of naive or hasty PC users. An email attachment doesn't install its malicious payload on its own -- someone has to open it. Phishing attacks don't collect sensitive personal information -- unsuspecting people supply it. PCs don't fall for scams -- gullible people are taken in by them.

The only protection you have against some of these attack vectors is your own vigilance. Your protection will be much more effective against them if you inform yourself about the menagerie of deception online.

By now, most people are wary of e-mail attachments that they didn't request. They may not know that just clicking a link in a spam message can launch an attack on their PC. Malicious content hidden in the target webpage carries out the attack. The link is the trigger.

That hidden content could install spyware, and steal your personal data. It could install a Trojan and give hackers control of your computer. All that keeps it from happening is the PC user's caution.

Step 6 of the 7-step Plan is your guide to deflecting attacks on the human dimension of your PC -- attacks such as spyware, phishing and identity-theft.

More on the Web

"Us Like Spies: How computer users ask to be doomed to viruses and spyware."

Links to more malware defense related information on the Web.