We want to share our 20 years of computer experience with you to show you just how easy it is to be safer on the internet based on the most common, repeated mistakes we have seen including hundreds of thousands of posts in our support forums.

5: Due diligence

We all love to surf the web but you can be a little more careful with your everyday habits. Don’t download something unless you trust the source, for example Majorgeeks.com.

Don’t type in a web address but use a trusted search engine like Google that can make suggestions on what you are looking for or correct a misspelled website. If you make a typo, and I make a lot of them, you could go to parked domain and get infected. Use your bookmarks.

Did something just popup on your screen? Don’t be in such a hurry to “close” it because sometimes clicking anywhere on a popup type of window could execute whatever it is. Often times this includes a fake X button. Instead, look for the actual close button.

Normally we are opposed to toolbars, unless it is something you really need. WOT is a toolbar that attempts to warn you if you are safe or not. The downside is that these results are determined by the readers with what appears to be no system of making sure the information is accurate. Majorgeeks, for example is rated a 93 out of 100 because mixed in these reviews are people who really just don’t know what they’re talking about. Overall you can count on WOT to warn you of dangerous websites.

4: Downloading

I love downloading stuff and bet you do too! If you are downloading the latest, greatest movie or MP3’s from your then odds are they cost money. If you are not sure, don’t do it. Many years ago I used to love to remind people that porn is not free. Well, the times they are a changing and now free porn is available. Majorgeeks tries to stay PG-13 but I must at least point you in the right direction. YouPorn. File sharing programs are usually not sharing free downloads but pirated software. Don’t make a mistake that could cost you your internet connection or a lawsuit.

If you like arcade games we keep a small website going called DemoNews.com that has a ton of safe arcade style games.

3: Manage your email account better

Keep 2 email accounts. Use one email when you are not sure and another for trusted friends and companies. That friend who forwards you links all the time? Guess which one he or she should be in?

Use the unsubscribe link carefully. Again if it is a trusted company or website then it is usually ok. If it isn’t then your email just went to one of those spammer lists we just mentioned to be shared forever.

We used to suggest different spam filters or email programs but the spammers are fast, smart and aggressive. If you have a decent email client then odds are you already filter some of your email. If you want our recommendations try our Top Freeware Picks.

Do not open file attachments unless you were expecting them, even from trusted source.

Never click links in your email. These can be phishing attempts meaning they look like a good link but will take you to a rogue website. If your “bank” emails you, open your browser and login yourself to be sure.

Finally; you didn’t win an overseas lottery, some prince is not sending you 14.1 million and Viagra is expensive (I mean, that’s what I hear). It is what it is.

In this video, I had some fun opening up spam emails just to show you how quickly you can lose control:

2: Your passwords probably suck

Are you using your pets name, birthday, nickname or some word that you are like to remember your passwords? Are you using the same password on multiple sites? Do you think adding 12345 at the end of your pets name makes it secure? Many of us have heard about using 6-8 letter passwords with a combination of letters and numbers and case but very few take the extra steps.

At the risk of sounding like I am advertising this program, I LOVE Roboform Desktop. It generates passwords and automates website logins as well as makes sure you are at the proper website that you are logging into. This is AWESOME if you forgot everything that I told you above. There are other programs, there are even some free ones but for 10 bucks a year? I stick with RoboForm. Do you know what my bank password is? Me neither. RoboForm generated it and it’s too complicated to remember. You just need one master password to get in to the program which can then log you into all your saved accounts that you generated passwords for. Yes, using your pets name would still suck as the master password.

Here is a video I did on using Roboform. It is actually one of our older videos and the program is even more advanced now.

Worst case scenario; at least protect your accounts that have any of your financial information. Write those passwords down and keep it in a drawer somewhere.

1: Pedal to the metal baby! (Not)

Did you see a recurring theme above? I hope so. Slow down! Many of the problems we have written about come about because people click too fast without reading what it is they are clicking. People also love to both deny and ignore this simple advice. You decide.