Maintaining Your Privacy Online

Many people are completely unaware that their online privacy may be compromised. Many devices such as cable modems, DSL Modems, and routers record and assign every computer with an IP (Internet Protocol)address that is as unique and as traceable as your home phone number.

Our Ip addresses have the the likenesses of a phone number except it be a caller ID on who is entering your computer. If you could install the the equivalent of a "Caller Id" on your computer you might just be amazed at how many unauthorized intrusions are out there.

The novice person often has no clue who these intruders are, but in most cases they end up being Ad Servers, Data Mining Programs, or possibly even more destructive nuisances like Computer Viruses, Malware, Spyware, and Adware.

In either case we do not want them in our computers. The way I personally maintain privacy is by first using a virus utility, my favorite is AVG Free, next I install Windows Defender, I then make sure all my windows updates are up to par. The most important being the Microsoft Malware Remover and Anti-Phishing program update. To cap the entire security gamut I add an IP privacy program called "Proxyway."

Anyone wishing to test their security can find a host of websites designed to try and figure out who you are. If they cannot ID who you are then its safe to do true anonymous surfing and blogging with more confidence and less fear of "big brother." One last point to those of you who have a camera and microphone hooked up to your computer, BAD IDEA!!!

Youtube and many video upload sites have the ability to take control of your webcam and microphone. Aside from the Orwellian creepiness of this, who knows what they can do once it is accessed. Best advice on this front is turn your computer off, and unplug the studio. This is the best way to know that your computer is not listening or staring back at you.

Mac users should have little concern over viruses, as the OS is much more protected than that of a PC but as a precaution I would include an IP Privacy tool on Safary or your favorite browser. Mostly follow the same guidelines as PC users.

If anyone has any other questions regarding software and computer security feel free to leave your comments below and I will answer them next time I log on.