While many parents would like to protect their children from the dangers of going online by simply disallowing any computer time, this is just not an option in today’s world. With more school demanding Internet-based homework and more educational materials making their way online, it’s practically impossible to avoid. Even elementary school children need access to the internet these days to do Mathletics for example.

So, how can parents ensure their children get their schoolwork done while making sure their online time is safe? Here are some tips to enable both working and surfing in an safer environment:

• Monitor all online activity personally – Try to make sure a child’s computer – even a teenager’s – is placed in a location where parents can keep their eyes on activity. Many families place computers in their dens or create a family office where everyone can work and play.
• Use an online protection program – Programs like Norton 360 offer parental controls so parents can easily set what websites a child can visit and ban others from a particular machine. This is an excellent way to help protect children – and a computer – from the dangers that lurk online.
• Consider keyloggers – There are some programs parents can access that will enable them to see and read everything their children say in chat rooms and other potentially dangerous locations.
• Demand access to all user names and passwords – Do not allow children to create online accounts without permission – even for school. This includes email addresses, social media accounts and so on. Be sure to keep a list of all user names and passwords and check a child’s account frequently for any worrisome correspondence.
• Lay ground rules – Parents can and should lay ground rules for online use. Children should be made aware of those rules and they should adhere to them. The rules might include limiting online time for schoolwork only, setting a certain amount of “play” time and so on.
• Talk to children about the dangers – Children need to be made aware of the kinds of dangers that lurk online. For example, they should know that not everyone on a social media website or in a chat room might be who they say they are. Be frank and straightforward when discussing the potential dangers.

The internet is becoming a necessary tool for daily life, even for children. Parents can take measures to ensure kids are safe when they’re online. When the right moves are enacted, the benefits of the internet can be enjoyed without opening the door to the potential perils.

Computer viruses have become so prevalent that even those who never take their machines online can be subject to attack. Viruses can slide in on purchased programs and on files that are shared. For those who do go online, the perils can be great.

Fortunately, there are many things computer owners can do to protect their machines and personal data from attack. To close the loopholes for computer vulnerabilities, consider doing these things:

• Keeping the operating system updated – No matter what operating system is used, it’s important to make sure the latest updates are always installed. Companies like Windows constantly upgrade their systems to ensure the latest protections are in place. They also remain vigilant for vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit and their updates can provide the means to close those vulnerabilities.
• Use a firewall – A firewall is a first line of defense against incoming hackers. When one is enabled on a machine, it can help prevent others from accessing data while the owner is online. This is a critical form of protection that can help close down vulnerabilities and keep computer users and their files safe.
• Have an antivirus program installed – Programs such as Norton Internet Security or Norton 360 can serve as valuable features on any computer. These are designed to scan files, incoming emails, instant messages and more for pieces of malware. When detected, they alert users so definitive action can be taken. Above mentioned Norton programs, in fact, come with an onboard firewall, so this base is covered, as well (Norton AntiVirus does not come with the firewall). Whether a person chooses to use a Norton product, McAfee, ESET or even some of a free antivirus programs like Free Avast or Free Avira, it’s important to keep the protection running at all times and also to keep the programming updated.
• Be wary – Vigilance can be one of the most important safety tips a computer user can employ. Simple be wary of activities while online. Avoid unknown websites and never click on direct links in emails. If a site isn’t known and/or secured, don’t share personal information over it. The truth is there are many bogus websites on the Internet that are designed to help bad guys spread malware or directly steal personal information. Be careful when surfing.

Computers are vulnerable to attack, but they can be safeguarded. By keeping the right programs loaded and updated, it is possible to avoid cyber theft. Being vigilant is also a critical measure to take when it’s time to lock down a machine and the data is stores.

Consumers looking for a way to protect their computers from viruses while making sure their identities are protected have a new option from Symantec. The company has recently rolled out its Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta testing program.

The program enables would-be buyers to try on Norton 360 Version 6.0 before they buy it. In addition, they can also provide Norton with valuable feedback about the program’s operation, usefulness, user friendliness and more. In exchange for feedback, users are given an opportunity to buy the final release version at a discount.

So, what is offered in Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta that makes it worth the look? Here are the four focal points of this software package:

• PC Security – Like other products created by this PC security software leader, Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta offers a robust system of protections against viruses, Trojans, worms, bots and other potential threats. The program includes a smart, two-way firewall and a host of other features that are designed to lock a machine against threats. In addition, it provides continuous updates to ensure users have the latest antivirus protocols installed on their machines.
• Identity Protection – With cybercrime on the rise, protecting personal identity is critical for anyone with a computer. Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta does this by offering a variety of features that are mean to safeguard users online. Some of the features include stored passwords, alerts against fraudulent websites and more.
• Backup protection – No matter how secure a machine is, data can be lost. Norton recognizes this and responds. The Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta program offers a variety of backup options, including facilitation of backups to other devices. In addition, users will find offsite storage is also available in limited capacity. Upgrades are feasible as is the case with other Norton backup packages.
• PC Tuneup – Making sure Norton 360 Version 6.0 Beta continues to offer the holistic coverage that previous versions of the program provided was important to programmers. With this in mind, this particular version still offers the same tune up tools that are designed to speed up PC performance and enhance user experience.

Now, what is new for this software is this:

• Norton Identity Safe in the Cloud,
• Norton Management,
• Download Insight Stability Ratings, and
• Bandwidth Management.

Norton 360 Version 6.0 provides computer users with a well-rounded suite of protections. This program is designed not only to put a lock on security, but also to help users enjoy their online and offline experiences more. Beta testing is available for a limited time. After that, computer owners will be able to purchase the full version at standard retail rates.

Last week Symantec made the news with the launch of the new versions of its two well known products: Norton AntiVirus 2012 and Norton Internet Security 2012.

These new Norton 2012 security products emphasize identity protection as well as reputation, file, behavior and network based protection.

This would include:

• Norton Identity Safe in the Cloud – Protects personal and financial information from cybercriminals and keeps users safe from fraudulent websites. New streamlined interface, simplified login experience, and ability to store passwords in the cloud makes accessibility easy from any computer with Norton Internet Security 2012 installed.
• Norton Management – New web-based functionality lets users manage their Norton products from anywhere in the world. Users can remotely add Norton products, manage security settings and update subscriptions, making it simple to check on the health of their devices or fix issues without needing to be there in person.
• Norton Insight – Norton’s exclusive reputation-based security technology leverages the anonymous software adoption patterns of millions of contributing Symantec users to automatically identify and block never before seen malicious software.
• Download Insight – Checks every downloaded file for safety before installation and now provides users with additional data about the predicted stability of the application in their environment based on the stability experiences of millions of other Symantec users.
• SONAR – Improved SONAR technology monitors running applications for suspicious behavior to quickly detect and disable previously unknown threats. The latest version is SONAR 4.
• Norton User Experience – From the streamlined main user interface, Norton 2012 offers quick access to Norton Mobile Security Lite, Norton Cybercrime Index, Norton Online Family and website ratings service Norton Safe Web.

In addition to the above, Norton has come out with a new feature called Bandwidth Management which limits non-critical Norton updates when you connect to 3G networks so it won’t eat up your monthly data allotment or cause overage fees. This feature is available in both Norton AntiVirus 2012 and Norton Internet Security 2012. Norton AntiVirus download and Norton Internet Security download versions are available through Norton online store.

With more than 8 million known victims in 2010 alone, identity theft is a concern that just about everyone needs to be aware of. The bad guys are willing to use a variety of attacks to gain the information they want, so their potential victims need to be aware and proactive to avoid them.

Unfortunately, some people falsely believe that identity theft only occurs on the Internet. With this in mind, they don’t enact protections for themselves or others in their lives. To better understand just who needs identity theft protection, it helps to have a clear picture of what these thieves do and what information they go after.

Just What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft involves the unauthorized access and use of a person’s personal information. The information may include Social Security numbers, bank account information, credit card numbers and more. Identity thieves seek to use their information for their own personal financial gain. Even in the case of a newborn, there is a potential vulnerability. A Social Security number, for example, can be stolen and then used to establish an “identity” and set up accounts under a fabricated persona.

Identity thieves use the information they gather in a variety of ways. They include:

• Straight theft – Capture a credit card number and other identifying information and a thief can easily use these things to make purchases that are charged to another. They can also take bank account information and use it to drain accounts to their own advantage.
• Elaborate theft – That newborn’s Social Security number is a good example of a more elaborate scheme. In this type of case, the thief might use the information to create a whole persona that can be used to establish new accounts that can be used for financial gain. The parents of the newborn might not even know the theft is going on until years later.

The Dangers

While most banking institutions and credit card companies have mechanisms in place to protect their clients from undue losses related to identity theft, victims often find their good names, credit and lives have been violated and even ruined. It can take a great deal of time to straighten out theft when it happens. In the meantime, victims might have trouble gaining credit, landing employment and more.

Identity theft is a concern for everyone. Since attacks and be high-tech and low-tech alike, the reality is no one is immune to the need for protection. Programs such as Norton 360, Norton Internet Security, and LifeLock identity theft protection and others are potentially valuable tools that can help protect against this type of crime.

When an email from an unknown sender arrives in an inbox, chances are it’s nothing more than harmless spam. There is a chance, however, that the seemingly harmless mail is actually rather dangerous for a computer, its data and even its owner.

The truth is email is one of the quickest and most effective ways for bad guys with malicious intentions to gain access to a computer and information about the people who happen to own and operate that machine.  People are, after all, curious by nature. If a subject line is intriguing, they will open unsolicited mail. If a link to an outside site is present, they might even click on it. Or, if there’s an attachment, the right wording can entice the recipient into downloading it.

So, how can an email actually translate to danger if the wrong one is opened and acted upon? Here are just some of the things unsolicited emails might contain:

• Viruses, Trojans and other forms of malware – If an unknown email contains an attachment – even a Word document – opening it can lead to the introduction of potentially harmful viruses onto a machine. Even files like documents and Excel spreadsheets can harbor potentially damaging bits of programming. Worms that infiltrate a machine, keyloggers that track personal information, spyware and more might be contained. The consequences can range from a simple computer slowdown to a potentially devastating deletion of data. Even worse, malware attached to an email might give the “bad guys” access to bank accounts, social security numbers and more.
• Links to phishing websites – Unsolicited emails might also be sent out by those who are interested in “phishing.” This means casting a line to try and get people to “bite” by handing over their personal information, bank account numbers and more. These sites might appear to be completely legitimate, but they are designed to get users to willingly hand over their information.

How To Protect Against Email Attacks

To make sure problems with unsolicited emails don’t escalate into an identity theft or viral attack, it’s important to:

• Delete unknown emails without opening them – This is one of the best lines of defense. If an email arrives from an unknown source, simply delete it. Don’t open it. Don’t click on links. Don’t download any attachments.
• Use virus protections – Programs such as Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security will protect against incoming viruses and even help ensure that emails that contain potential threats get blocked on time.

Protecting against email attacks is feasible. It just takes exercising commonsense and backing it up with virus protections. Here is more about best email security practices.

Con artists have been operating practically since history began. They have long preyed upon the innocent to help them pull off their nefarious schemes. In doing so, the bad guys may even use innocent people to do some of the dirty work for them. This, in turn, transforms an unknowing person into a participant in the scheme.

One of the most common ways the bad guys pull this off is by targeting victims to serve as their “money mules.” This practice has long been used and has even been adapted to the online world.

Money mules are simply people who transfer items or money that scammers steal to other locations. They might courier the goods, ship them or make electronic transfers. In performing these transfers, the money mule serves as the immediate target for law enforcement investigations. The act also helps obscure the actual scammer’s identity.

In many cases, money mules – especially those recruited online – are acting in what they believe is good faith. Some believe they have landed legitimate jobs as “shippers,” “transfer agents” or “processors.” What they don’t know is that the goods they receive or the money they transfer is actually taken from the victims of identity theft. These mules may even receive true compensation for their time and effort.

The Problems For Victims

For a con artist’s scheme to pay off, the money mule must believe he or she is doing an actual job within the boundaries of the law. The problem is, of course, that they aren’t. Many investigations into identity theft lead police directly to a mule’s doorstep. Even though that person is innocent of known wrongdoing, he or she may have a very difficult time explaining that to law enforcement.

Protecting Against These Schemes

Work-at-home schemes have become very popular in recent years. The Internet has made it very easy for people to perform very legitimate working tasks from the comfort of their own homes. It has also enabled scammers to really branch out. To protect against becoming a victim of this type of scheme, make sure to:

• Vet all job opportunities carefully – Before signing on to perform a job that’s been obtained online or off, take the time to vet the employer. Check on the background, contact the Better Business Bureau and really stop to consider the options.
• Never pay for a job – If an “opportunity” calls for a personal payment from the employee to get started, be very wary. Legitimate employers do not typically charge their employees anything in advance of employment.
• Be wary of spam emails – Phishing emails may promise the moon and the stars, but will deliver only heartache. If an email doesn’t seem legitimate, be very cautious. To help prevent phishing emails from getting into an inbox, be sure to use protection programs, such as those produced by Norton, to filter them out.

Money mules are often innocent victims in identity theft schemes. There are ways for people to protect themselves from becoming victimized. Taking the right steps can save a lot of trouble down the road.

No one likes opening an email box to find it flooded with spam. It’s just plain annoying to have to sift through it all to find anything of importance. What’s even worse is that email spam often contains viruses and links to nefarious sites where identity thieves lurk.

With these things in mind, chances are most people are seeking out ways to effective reduce and/or eliminate spam. While it might not be possible to filter out every single piece of junk, there are measures computer owners can take to reduce the volume. Some of the ways to cut down on the trash mail include:

• Set spam filters on an email program – Most email programs have their own “junk” files that seek to filter out some of the unwanted volume. Make sure to check the settings to gain the optimum results. A good program will help remove a fair amount of spam before it ever reaches an inbox.
• Flag concerning emails – Most email programs also enable users to “flag” incoming messages that are personally deemed spam. Use this feature to stop new spam sources in their tracks.
• Unsubscribe – A lot of spam email that is actually legitimate comes from companies that people buy products from or choose to follow at one point or another. If that weekly newsletter is becoming more of a burden than a joy to read, opt out. Most newsletters and direct mail pieces have “unsubscribe” links included in them. If the source of the mail is unknown, don’t click the link. Instead, go directly to the sender’s website to unsubscribe. If the source is known, click off the unsubscribe box in the email.
• Get Internet protections – There are software packages designed to help cut down on spam or at least scan it for potential pitfalls such as questionable links, viruses and more. Programs like Norton AntiVirus or Norton Internet Security, for example, can be very beneficial for making sure a computer is kept secured. Such security software does monitor incoming mail and red flags potential problems. For most comprehensive protection you may go for Norton 360 – Symantec’s All-In-One security suite for home and small business users. All these Norton security software products are available as Norton multi-user software option.
• Refrain from signing up for things – If reducing spam is the plan, make sure not to sign up for new newsletters, email alerts and so on. If signing up is desired, carefully consider the decision before handing over a personal or business email address.

Spam email is something most people simply don’t appreciate receiving. If it’s time to cut down on the volume, there are very simple steps that can be taken to achieve the goal. Being diligent about what is signed up for and using protection programs can make a big difference. And if you are not sure about antivirus or internet security protection software, they all offer some kind of free trial, like Norton free trial. With Norton, a user has to give paying information which automatically gets charged after 30-day long trial. So if you’re not happy with the software for any reason, just be sure to cancel it through your Norton Account before the 30 day expiration. And even if you forget and get charged, by contacting support you can get your money back.

Just like their real-world counterparts, cybercriminals are opportunistic. They rely the latest fads or fears of the general public in order to gain the confidence of their unsuspecting targets. They also use the time of year to capitalize on situations where people may rely on the Internet to take care of e-commerce or gather information.

When the calendar turns past the first of the year, online tax scams become a major player in the world of cybercrime. Whether it’s playing on the fears that an honest taxpayer may be facing a penalty for doing their taxes incorrectly or a dishonest person looking to “get over” on the government, online tax scams can target a wide range of computer users.

Here are some examples:

Fake e-mails

Some cybercriminals use the tactic of sending an e-mail to a person that requests “more information,” such as a Social Security number, a bank account number, a credit card number, or perhaps personalized login information. These e-mails are designed to look like they’re coming from an official source, such as the IRS.

An easy way to tell if an e-mail is from a disreputable source is to look for certain clues. A reputable organization will never ask for personal information in an e-mail, no matter what. They will also address the recipient by name instead of “Dear Sir or Madam.”

Phishing Web sites

Cybercriminals also create Web sites that are meant to look exactly like the IRS’s site or reputable tax services, such as TurboTax. They’re sole purpose is also to trick the user into unwittingly handing over personal information.

These can be spotted by looking closely at the names of the site or the Web address. Many phishing sites label themselves close to reputable sites, such as TurboTaxx or TheIRS.com. They may also be exact copies, but the address gives the domain away, such as turbotax.example.com (which is actually on example.com and not on turbotax.com).

Natural disaster aid

Any charitable contributions to aid natural disaster victims are tax deductible. However, cybercriminals use these heart-wrenching catastrophes to fool taxpayers. In 2011, one scam involved an e-mail that promised a tax credit for the 2010 filing year if a person gave charitable donations to Japan earthquake relief. However, this is a play on a law passed in early 2010 for the 2009 filing year for Haitian earthquake relief. The e-mail is just a ploy to gather personal information.

Unlike traditional cybercrime, tax scams rely on the user to be fooled by the content of the scam and not by an external intrusion. While using subscription-based antivirus software may prevent some scams, it’s not the be-all, end-all. Researching and learning about current scams and avoiding becoming a statistic is the best way to not become a tax scam victim.

Once maligned as “geeky,” computers are now an everyday part of life for most people. Computers can be used as storage devices for photos and entertainment. They’re the lifeblood of an infinite number of businesses, both to conduct their business and keep their files. That doesn’t even include the world that Internet has opened up for people as a place for entertainment, business, and communication.

However, the problem lies in the fact that computers are machines, and machines can wear down over time. It doesn’t necessarily take a hacker to ruin data files. Here are several ways you can protect your data for a lifetime of storage.

• Back up files often. Although there is malware that can burrow into a computer and destroy files, that is a rare occurrence. Photos and other personal files are more likely to be damaged by day-to-day use, like an electrical surge or accidental deletion. Making hard copies on portable drives or disks gives you a safe backup copy just in case.
• Update operating system software often. Most operating systems have constant updates. Sometimes these updates are about improving technology, but most minor updates close loopholes that cyber criminals have found to crack through systems. Making sure you have the most up-to-date updates will keep your files safe from the latest threats.
• Use anti-virus software. It isn’t often that personal files are damaged by malware. However, most threats to data come from malware rendering a computer inoperable, making it impossible to retrieve personal data. Using anti-virus software like Norton AntiVirus 2011, Norton Internet Security 2011, or Norton 360 can help reduce attacks meant to wreak havoc on a computer.
• Public connections are not private. Even though you may be using your own personal computer in a cyber café, using a public network is like opening a door into your personal files. Cyber criminals will camp out in these public spaces to look at photos and collect personal information. Be aware of where you log in and what information is readily available.
• Password protect your files. If you want an extra layer of security inside your files, password protect individual or folders of files. This way if someone does gain access into your computer, you at least have half a chance to keep them out of your most personal content.

By following these rules, your data will have a better chance at staying safe and away from cyber criminals’ eyes.