Just point and click with your mouse…

Cookies store information in small text files about the websites that you have recently visited. Therefore, it is essential that you delete cookies and history regularly. There are two types of cookies, namely, trustworthy and tracking.

Trustworthy cookies are used for remembering the usernames and passwords, helps in tracking the items you have purchased using shopping cart for example. Tracking cookies are used for monitoring websites.

Step-By-Step Techniques A Child Can Do

To delete cookies, open Internet Explorer > Click Tools > Internet Options > In the General tab, click ‘Delete Cookies.’ > You will be asked whether you wish to delete cookies > Click Yes. Now, Click Settings > Click View Files > Press Ctrl + A > Click Delete. There are also a few software’s available for deleting third-party cookies like Ccleaner. Sometimes, when you install these software, it is possible that the internet speed is slowed. So never install multiple software that you actually do not really need.

You only need 1 cookie eraser. Ccleaner is freeware and proven to be powerful.

To surf the web safely, you can update the relevant security patches that are available in the operating system vendor’s website. If you have Microsoft Operating System like Windows 95/98/xp/2000 etc visit http://www.Microsoft.com

As explained in previous blog posts a firewall is a must have software and it also controls Internet Cookies and blocks unwanted data. For Windows XP users you still need firewall software even though you have Windows XP Firewall.

I suggest you TURN IT OFF and use a software designed specifically as a firewall software.

Zone Alarm Freeware (Freeware, less features than PRO)

Zone Alarm PRO ($49.95, one time fee. Pro Version provides more features so it is better) Special offer exclusive for you Download ZoneAlarm Pro with $10 discount here!

Other important things you will have to take care when surfing the web are to block pop-ups and disable AutoComplete.

To block pop-ups, you can download toolbars from Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. To add a site to the Restricted Sites zone in Internet Explorer, Start Internet Explorer > Click Tools > Internet Options > Click the Security tab > Click Restricted Sites, and then click Sites > In the Add this Web site to the zone box, type the Web address for the site that you want to restrict, and then click Add.

Repeat this step if you want to add other sites to the zone. > Click OK > Click Default Level to set the Restricted Sites zone to the recommended level, which disables Active Scripting > Click OK.

You can also disable Active Scripting in Internet Explorer for all sites. This might cause many Webs sites to be displayed incorrectly. However better security.

To disable Active Scripting for all Internet sites, Start Internet Explorer > On the Tools menu, click Internet Options > Click the Security tab > Click Internet, and then click Custom Level > Under Active Scripting in the Scripting section, click Disable > Click OK > Click OK.

To disable AutoComplete, Start Internet Explorer > Click Tools > Internet Options > Click the Content tab > Click AutoComplete > Remove the checkmarks from Web addresses, Forms, Usernames and passwords on forms > Click Clear Forms and then Clear passwords > Click OK > Click OK.

Unless absolutely necessary, it is not recommended to download and install any freeware. If you do download free software, only download from developer’s site. Many copycat sites exist that are fraudulent. Downloading from them will most certainly install spyware on your system.

For example if you want to download CCcleaner download it from their websites at http://www.ccleaner.com and not on some shareware or freeware site.

It is also recommended to set the security settings to high if children have access to computer. This can be done by launching Internet Explorer. Click Tools > Internet Options > Select the Privacy tab > Move the slider and set the security settings to high.

Also ensure that you do not click pop-ups that open when you visit certain types of sites. Avoid popups that look strange, weird or have advertisements.

Never ever store your email addresses and password on your computer. People might get access to the stored passwords. The best way to store passwords is in the form of an encrypted file for example on a floppy disk.

Buy a package of floppy disks from a computer shop and save a text file with your username and password. Then send the file to a floppy disk and delete the file from your computer.

You can also use a free software. This software called Password Safe will save your passwords on your computer and you will create one unique password to access them all.

This is also great if you don’t want to use floppy disks.

If the above are followed properly, I bet you have just eliminated a bunch of threats and risks associated with the Internet.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 at 08:32 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response and/or trackback from your own site.