Online Security Tips

Computers

Below are some key steps that the FBI recommends to protect your computer from intrusion:

Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall protection.
Install or Update Your Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect computers without users' knowledge. Most types of antivirus software can be set up to update automatically.
Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology: Spyware is just what it sounds like — software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware — in some cases these products may be fake and may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It's like buying groceries — shop where you trust.
Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.
Be Careful What You Download: Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.
Turn Off Your Computer: With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being “always on” renders computers more susceptible. Beyond firewall protection, which is designed to fend off unwanted attacks, turning the computer off effectively severs an attacker's connection — be it spyware or a botnet that employs your computer’s resources to reach out to other unwitting users.

Secure Web Sites

A secure web site uses the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol to securely transmit information on the Internet. Essentially, SSL creates a secure channel of communication between your computer and the web site’s server. Web browsers are implemented with SSL so you can visit secure web sites.

What this all means to you is that you can perform safe and secure transactions on the Internet, such as online banking or purchasing an item with your credit card, because SSL encrypts the data before sending it over the Internet.

The SSL setting in your Web browsers is turned on by default. This means that no intervention on your part is needed.

The easiest way to identify whether you’re on a secure site is by the Web address in the URL (Uniform Resource Locator). If the Web address begins with https://, then you’re in a secure site. If the address begins with http:// (without the “s”), then you are in a non-secure Web site. Also, your browser displays a padlock icon to indicate you are in a secure site. Usually, this icon is displayed near the bottom on the right side.

An example of a secure site is NFCU’s SilverLink Online Banking. Notice that the address in the URL begins with https://, and a small padlock icon indicates that you are at a secure site.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to make sure that you are in a secure site if you plan to perform any transactions that deal with personal or sensitive material.

For more information on Internet schemes and how to protect yourself online, see the following areas: