Some web content sites are flooded with malicious threats. Gaming, gambling, pornography, chat rooms, information overload can all be addictive. If it is free - beware!

Detailed Information

The internet offers many convenient avenues for information, communication and shopping.  But treat the internet as a convenient doorway for the world's worst characters. You wouldn't walk in their street, but you let them in through your internet connection?

How to reverse this trend - to reduce our computer's vulnerabilities to security threats - and increase our confidence in using technology safely?

Here are suggestions:

1. Protect your family from inappropriate web content

There are many technical options to limit, block and filter the content coming into your browser such as pornography, violence, racism, terrorism, drugs or cults:

• Software Program Content Filter

• Software Shield Filtering – AOL and Norton Internet Security have a Parental Control

• Hardware Router Service – Linksys has a subscription service for content filtering

• Hosts file Block List – some programs add known sites to block access in HOSTS

• Restricted Security Zones in MSIE – IE-SPYAD adds known sites to zone

• Filtered Internet Service Provider – all browsed sites first come through a companies servers requiring a subscription service fee

• Some of the above routers and firewall programs have features that can restrict hours of Internet access, say between 11pm and 7am.

Web content filtering is based upon one or more of these techniques:

• URL Based· Image Recognition

• Object Analysis – the ability to filter or block websites based on specific object analysis within the website. For example, certain specialized web visitor counters are supplied by a number of web pornography suppliers.

• Keyword Based – the ability to filter or block specific words that a website may contain.

• Dynamic Categorization – the ability to block or allow a website based on the ever changing content on a website as opposed to its URL. For example, some material on a CNN.com webpage may be perfectly appropriate in the morning, but is inappropriate in the afternoon when the news changes. 

Internet filtering software gives you the ability to control content displayed, block websites and set up passwords. Powerful services like email filtering, popup blocking and chat room monitoring are just some of the tools available with today's Internet filtering software—each designed to protect against and counteract the tactics of aggressive online porn companies.

See Internet-filter-review.toptenreviews for a good discussion and comparison of top content filtering programs. They currently chose: ContentProtect from ContentWatch as their top pick, $30. PC Magazine Aug 04 reviews filtering products and recommended Cybersitter 9.0. Their entire review starts here: http://www.pcmag.com

See pornography statistics at: Toptenreviews.com-Statistics

See an article on tricks pornographers play at: Toptenreviews.com-Tricks

See an article on safety tips for children at: Toptenreviews.com-Safety

2. Certain content web sites tend to attract evildoers with security threats

There are web content sites that have the greater frequency for malicious activity that can get your computer infested with spyware, virus and trojans; and where your personal and financial information is not safe to submit:

• Pornography

• Music Lyrics

• Shareware, Free Software and cracked license key sites

• Buying software on eBay or other cheap means that could be compromised

• P2P (Peer-To-Peer) file sharing and downloading sites and programs. See P2P  

If it is popular - in demand - cheap and free - BEWARE!

Your visit to these type of sites increases your chance of security threats! Be careful divulging personal and financial information and your email address when using these sites.

3. Phishing is an attempt to trick you into visiting a malicious web sites to they can corrupt your computer or get your account passwords or financial account information. See Phishing.

4. If it is Free or Cheap, it is probably at a greater security risk!  See Free Software

5. Reduce your risk to identity and financial theft!  See Identity theft warnings

6. Be alert to Trojans and Virus threats like Ransomware

7. Limit your information exposure over the Internet

8. When in Doubt – Opt OUT

You should never provide information to an unsolicited caller on your telephone – even if they claim to be the Bank, the government or a survey taker. Likewise, never follow instructions in an unsolicited or suspicious email. Never answer to affirm an unsolicited software installation pop-up window or supply your personal data or email address in any unnecessary form on the Internet. Remain anonymous if you can and don’t deal with strangers. Always treat unsolicited requests with great suspicion! Never execute unsolicited pop ups. Example1: 

9. Instant Messages, YouTube, MySpace - are seeing increase in links and code presenting security threats. See email and instant messages.  See MySpace threats.

10. Encrypt your data files so unauthorized people cannot read the content. See EFS

11. Encrypt and digitally sign your Documents and eMails to protect unauthorized access, use and identity theft. See Encryption and Digital Signatures

12. Faxed and Printed document can mistakenly end up in the wrong hands! See details.

13. What to do when you lose your wallet or purse? Helpful Steps to Take.

13. Don't Lose Your Job Because You Lost the Company Laptop! See Laptop Theft.

14. Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is a theorized disorder, identified by a pattern of Internet use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress

Take this test to see if you are addicted to the internet and online activity:

http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_gambling

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_pornography