Help Page Home Surfing Safe / Surfing Fast General Advice

Help! Where do I start????

The first line of defense against the bad guys is a properly updated PC. You cannot surf the web safely without installing updates from Microsoft.

1. Go here: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com to have your computer checked for needed updates and install those updates. There should be an option, at some point, to let Windows handle updates for you automatically. Do this.

Another general way to help improve your Internet browsing (in terms of both safety and efficiency) is to stop using Internet Explorer and start using Mozilla Firefox. Mozilla Firefox is a free browser that is both faster and safer than Explorer.

2. Go here: http://www.getfirefox.com to get Mozilla Firefox. You can import all of your bookmarks and settings from Internet Explorer during the installation.

The most important advice is to be skeptical. Avoid software downloads on the Internet that are free. Don't click email attachments that you aren't expecting (reply to a person and say - Did you send me this!!). Use your head! If you have any gut feeling that something could be bad - don't do it!

Oh, and follow the advice on the next page!

General Advice