Safeguard your biggest asset – you!

Added: (Thu Oct 27 2005)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Norma Foster, chief executive of the North East Regional Portal (TNERP), has complied a list of top tips to safeguard your identity while surfing the net.

Most browsers will let you set your own internet security standards and if you use Internet Explorer, you can do this by clicking on internet options from the tools option in the task bar and setting your own security level. To ensure maximum security, position it at the highest level.

Beware of suspicious looking e-mails and attachments and refrain from opening any attachments until they have been properly scanned for viruses and spyware. Even if the attachment has been sent by a legitimate source, it may have become corrupt. So, scanning before opening will ensure your computer is not subject to any harmful material.

Be creative with your passwords. Make sure the passwords you use online are hard to guess and that for every online account you hold each password is different. Passwords should be at least eight characters long and consist of a mix of upper and lower case letters as well as numbers. Never write passwords down and remember to change them regularly.

Place a firewall on your computer or network. Designed to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive material saved on your computer it is a system or gateway that protects your PC from malicious attacks of spyware, worms and hackers.

How well is your computer running? Check your operating system regularly and download any updates that may contain security patches and fixes for your PC. Sometimes you can instantly tell if there is something wrong if your computer is on a ‘go-slow’ or programmes keep shutting down. If this happens, avoid disclosing any sensitive personal details on the internet, until you are sure the problem has been fixed.

Always shut down your computer when it is not in use. Not only is this better for the environment and your electricity bill, but it means your computer cannot be accessed by anyone without the correct password.

A lot of these suggestions are basic common sense, but by following a daily security routine, you can protect your identity from being stolen.

A not-for-profit organisation and a fully owned subsidiary of the Regional Development Agency One NorthEast, TNERP represents the North East England online via its n-e-life.com website. It can also provide e-commerce advice, funding, e-tendering services and online shopping.

For further information telephone 0191 487 2002 or visit www.n-e-life.com.