| Long gone are the days that we could feel secure | | | | Networks". (If File and Printer Sharing is not listed, |
| and know for certain that we had privacy. With | | | | then file sharing has not been setup). You may |
| the digital age upon us we can no longer be so | | | | skip the rest of these instructions.Click |
| sure that our privacy is secure. Recently Google | | | | Uninstall.When you are asked if you are sure you |
| has admitted their organisation holds user data | | | | want to Uninstall File and Printer Sharing Click |
| indefinitely. This causes concerns as now we | | | | Yes.You may now close the Local Area |
| know Google has information on us that we do | | | | Connection Properties window.You must restart |
| not want anyone to know about.We can simply | | | | for your computer for the effects to work.3) |
| blame this all on the big corporate companies; | | | | Hide your IP address:Your IP address is just like |
| they seem to be a very good escape goat | | | | your phone number, it links directly back to you. |
| however, this is not the case; your privacy is | | | | There are many reasons you may wish to hide |
| totally up to you. Certificates ensure that all the | | | | your IP address. Preferable you do not want to |
| data that is transferred between you and the | | | | be tracked around the web, it's just as bad as |
| internet is secure and encrypted. Recently in New | | | | having a GPS in your mobile phone.I have found a |
| Zealand there was a short certificate outage on a | | | | great tool that gives free anonymous surfing: |
| banks website. During this outage only one out of | | | | Primedius. This tool is free for a limited time. I |
| 300 users took this security warning seriously.This | | | | don't guarantee this service but I believe it |
| is a rather large concern, as many users on the | | | | performs to basic anonymous web-surfing |
| internet have the same belief that their data is | | | | standards.4)Check those certificates:Your internet |
| safe and secure. By the end of 2005 it is | | | | connection is not secure, the data that travels |
| estimated identity fraud will cause up to 5 trillion | | | | between you and the site you may be browsing |
| dollars world wide. We, the users of the internet | | | | may pass through over 25 other computers. If |
| must keep ourselves safe, secure and pay | | | | you are sending very confidential information such |
| attention to those security warnings. I have | | | | as credit card payments, make sure the address |
| compiled some good tools and tricks that will help | | | | starts with an https. Also check that the padlock |
| keep you much more anonymous and secure.1) | | | | on your browser is locked, and is valid for the |
| Get rid of the internet explorer:First and foremost | | | | specific site. This will ensure that you have a 128 |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer is the highest risk to | | | | bit encrypted connection with the website.If you |
| your internet experience. Not only is the most | | | | want secure email you may also have your emails |
| popular internet browser, but is also the most | | | | encrypted too. A good free vendor is Hushmail. |
| popular for attacks from Viruses and Spyware. | | | | Your email security is more at risk than your web |
| Internet explorer is also too integrated with the | | | | browsing; you must ensure your emails are |
| windows operating system. Have you ever | | | | safe.5) Kill the spywareSpyware are little |
| wondered how a dialler or online casino got onto | | | | programmes that can easily be picked up by |
| your desktop?I personally recommend Opera; | | | | surfing any website or downloading files. Spyware |
| they have a nice clean browser. The usability is | | | | can pickup information from where you surf to |
| easy and best of all, it uses tabbed browsing.2) | | | | your credit card details, this information then can |
| Protect your Connection.Make sure you have an | | | | be sold.Microsoft has released a beta version of |
| active firewall operating; Firewalls stop intruders | | | | their upcoming anti spyware removal tool. This |
| from entering your connection and causing havoc. | | | | too works well, and I highly recommend this tool. |
| Hackers can easily gain access to an unprotected | | | | Zonealarm also offer a free online spyware |
| network and steal private information.With the | | | | detector.The information I have passed to you |
| release of SP2 for Windows XP, Microsoft have | | | | should be seriously considered. The internet is a |
| incorporated a free personal Firewall. If you have | | | | very unsecure environment; you must ensure |
| broadband your router should have an inbuilt | | | | your data is safe from outside prying eyes. Make |
| Firewall, and make sure this is enabled, Zonealarm | | | | sure you are careful with any transaction you |
| also offer a free Firewall. You must always do | | | | make. Never fool for any kind of email promotion, |
| what you can to protect yourself.3) Don't share | | | | anyone who tries to sell to you through spam |
| those files:One of the most common security | | | | advertising is not trustworthy. Also make sure to |
| flaws besides running Windows XP, is having File | | | | check the links from anything you click on, I have |
| sharing enabled. To disable File Sharing please do | | | | found numerous fake Paypal sites that try to |
| the following:Click Start Menu, select settings.Click | | | | steal your login and password.Remember... it is up |
| on Network Connections.Right-click on the Local | | | | to you!Copyright 2005 Private Mail ServicesSteve |
| Area Connection icon and on the menu that | | | | is the owner and operator for Private Mail |
| appears, choose Properties.In the General tab | | | | Services. |
| under "This connection uses the following items", | | | | We endeavour to keep your personal life totally |
| highlight "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft | | | | safe and private. |