How To Keep Your Computer Safe

An October 2004 article in USA Today reported on the results of a study by America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance. This study surveyed 329 home computer users and found:

• 77 percent of the participants believed they were safe from online threats, but two-thirds of them did not have current anti-virus software and did not use any firewall protection.
• 84 percent stored personal data on the home PCs and 72 percent used the Internet for sensitive transactions, such as banking and medical data exchanges.
• 80 percent of their computers had spyware programs installed.
• About 1 in 5 of the computers were infected with at least one virus.

This course will cover:

• Windows Update
• Antivirus
• Being a Smart Email and Internet User
• Adware and Spyware
• Switching from Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
• Using a Firewall
• Tips and Resources

Last Updated: 6 January 2005