The internet plays a paramount role in today’s society, as so many individuals and businesses rely on the web for everyday communications. Unfortunately, there is also a negative side to the internet, one that is dark, dreary and potentially hazardous. Learn about the many dangers lurking online and what simple solutions you can enact to minimize the risks.

Internet Scams

Scams on the internet are as common as the hundreds of unsolicited messages people get in their e-mail daily. These messages have actually been where many scams originate and claim their victims. Over the last four years, the number that have been deceived by these scams has been on the rise, 2005 showed $13 million were lost by US citizens to online scams. Durring hard times it seems even more people are scammed.

Scams don’t employ the same technique every time they strike, they have multiple ways in wich they seek to deceive from very simple to very complex. There have been victims who learned the hard way that scam artist will even catch them through using big internet entities such as PayPal and E-Bay.

Computer Infections

One negative to the internet is the fact that there are many viruses that your computer can catch online that have been put there by malicious people. By just surfing on the web or opening up your own e-mail your computer could be at risk of contracting one of these things.

Spam that comes to your email has the potental to come bringing a software attached that is carrying of virus. If you open the attachment your computer along with those on your contact list could be wide open to receive a virus.

Even worse are the adware programs that flood your screen with unwanted advertisements or spyware that has the ability to monitor your computer activity and thieve personal information. At best, this malicious software can make your computer perform incredibly slow, and at worse, erase all of your files and render the machine completely inoperable.

Social Networking Sites

Among online dangers is the ever popular social networking sites. Websites communities like MySpace which so many people innocently use for fun and enjoyment are also the preying grounds of online criminals. Because so many people will get on these sites and broadcast their pictures and other personal information criminals have veiwed this as an oppurtuniy to strike.

MySpace profiles that are accessible to anyone can be viewed to prove that thousands of people will reveal their personal information and pictures without a second thought. Web sites like MySpace can and have been the focus of many offline crimes that result in simple arrests and also murder.

Practice Safe Internet Usage

The internet like any city in America cannot be completley cleaned out, but you can personally protect yourself. Filters can be installed so that kids can surf safe and you the parent can rest easy that they won’t happen upon unwanted content. There are also anti-virus software that are available that will protect you from many unknown online threats.

If you go online be sure you don’t open mail that you did not request or especially post your personal information.You can reduce your risk gratly while online if you wil practice safe computing as well as have security software.

Tags: Security