The internet offers a number of very exciting options, and is an invaluable tool for individuals, private organizations and governments. The wealth of information and range of options the internet provides in unparalleled, however it also presents a number of key risks. The foremost of these is identify theft and computer fraud. It is inevitable that you will have to make available some of your personal information if you want to use the full range of options that the internet provides. The key to staying safe is ensuring that your information is not stolen by any malicious parties. There are a few key guidelines to follow if you want to make sure that your internet browsing is safe and secure.

Firstly, above all else is it important to get a good and reliable firewall and virus protection system. If you are browsing the internet there is the chance that you may encounter malicious software which is designed to steal your personal information or else otherwise undermine the integrity of your computer. The best way to combat this is to get good virus protection software which will scan your downloads and monitor the pages your browse, helping to keep you from accidentally downloading a program which may contain a virus or Trojan. Make sure that the software you select is well recommended and reviewed. Key aspects of a good virus protection system include up to date virus definitions and modern scanning software. Though it is important to have good virus protection, it is the human element that needs most monitoring.

While you are browsing the internet it is important for you to be careful and to only access sites that you know to be legitimate. Most of the time access to your personal details is gained by a mistake that you make. This can be entering personal information into a website you don’t full trust, or  simply setting a password that is easily guessed. Another common mistake that people make is using the same username and password for multiple different logins. This can mean that if a hacker gains access to noe account, he or she can gain access to them all. Try and mix up the usernames and passwords you use, though it can be hard to remember. Also resist the urge to save your login details on your computer, this can make you vulnerable if a malicious party gains access to your PC.

Hacker and virus protection can be a difficult thing to master, but is key if you want to keep your information safe and reduce the chance of internet fraud. The priority for many people, when updating their personal or corporate systems, can be things like fibre optic broadband and updated operating systems, and frequently security can be neglected. It is crucial to make sure that you are up to date on your computer security, as it can mean lot of time, and possibly money lost, if you don’t.

Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.