Tips for securtity on the internet.

When you need to create a login for a service Choose a user name and password
that are not easily guessed.Never use your realname or your email adress as
your username. Passwords always should be a combination of letters and
nummbers. Also do not use birthdates, names of popstars, etc. All these are
to easily guessed. Hackers have lists with these names that they will try out
on websites to gain access. If they are succesful it may result in a loss of
service for you when the website-owners dicover that your username/password
was stolen.

Install a home firewall and virus protection. Hackers comb the Internet
looking for vulnerable computers, in some cases trying to steal credit-card
numbers, passwords/usernames and personal information. Home firewall software
such as BlackICE Defender or Zone Alarm can fend off these attacks. You
should also install virus protection like Norton Antivirus or Mcafee VirusScan
if it is not included on your computer.

Don't download anything unless you trust the sender and the file.
Harmless-looking e-mail enclosures can Contain spyware or viruses. To be safe,
never download anything unless you know and trust the sender, and have
Confidence that the file being sent won't hack your computer. 

Use encryption for sensitive data. Before sending credit-card numbers and
other financial information over the Internet, be sure the transfer is encrypted.
Protected websites will tell you that the transfer is encrypted, and your
browser will usually display a symbol, often a lock, confirming that the
transfer is secure.