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Security on the Internet

Introduction

The Internet is fast becoming the communications gateway of the 21^st Century - surfing the web, sending and receiving e-mails, on-line shopping and Internet banking. But how safe is it? What are the threats to your computers, and what can be done to make using the Internet as safe as possible for you, your business and your on-line clients?

• Over the last six months, I have received more than half a dozen viruses via e-mail which thankfully my anti-virus software has detected, been aware of numerous web sites trying to access my hard disk, and removed two so-called 'spyware' applications installed on my computer without my knowledge.
  
  
• I have used my credit card to make on-line purchases for two or three years now. In 1999, one of my major suppliers debited my card for a transaction which never took place. Fortunately, I noticed this discrepancy and the company reimbursed me for the small amount involved (£30).
  
  
• In 2000, the security of Internet banking was brought into question, with hackers defrauding Egg of thousands of pounds. Yet on-line banking remains attractive as it offers better interest rates than traditional accounts (6% versus 2%).
  
  
• The World Wide Web provides access to a vast range of information, published on a distributed network of computers around the world. The components of this network are owned by different organisations and individuals operating under different laws in different countries. There is very little control over content on the Internet. Indeed, it is estimated that nearly 80% of web sites have some 'adult' content.

So what measures should you take to make your time on-line as safe as possible?

Viruses