Internet Essentials
Passwords Never make your password the same as your username. Passwords should be a minimum of eight characters long and contain all of the following character types: a number, a lower case letter, an upper case letter, and a special character. Do not use the same password for everything. If you have problems remembering all the passwords, try Password Safe, a product that stores passwords in an encrypted file.
Email

When possible, have at least two email addresses; one to use on-line, and one to give to close friends and family. Be careful when opening attachments on emails, even when from trusted people. Viruses mine victims address book and send emails to people in that persons address book. When in doubt about the validity of the email, you can always send a separate email to the person to confirm that they sent you the email in question. Do not use the preview pane on any email folder that receives new emails. Open incoming emails as text only if possible. When forwarding email, make sure to strip out all email addresses. Ask your friends to do the same. Emails that are forwarded can eventually end up in the hands of someone who mines addresses for spambots. Always use BCC when emailing multiple people. Ask your friends to only use BCC when sending an email to multiple people. Emails that are forwarded can eventually end up in the hands of someone who mines addresses for spambots. Never follow a link that asks you to log on to a site and change/verify your user name, password, or credit card. Often the link goes to a scamming site, not the real site.
Website Browsing

If using Internet Explorer, go into Tools -> Internet Options -> Security Tab. Click the Internet icon. Click Default Level. Slide the bar on the left up to high. Click Apply and Ok. This will disable ActiveX and JavaScript. It will cause some sites to not function properly. It will also prevent some viruses from being downloaded to your machine. If a site doesn't work and it’s a site you want to use, go back into the Security tab. click the trusted sites icon. Click Sites and add it. Make sure Require Server Verification (https:) for all sites in this zone is unchecked. If using Firefox, go into Edit -> Preferences -> Web Features. Unclick Allow Websites to Install Programs. Add sites to the Exceptions for that rule as need.
Making Websites Some domain name registrars offer Whois Privacy. If yours offers it, get it, even if there is an extra charge. Spambots mine Whois for email addresses. When making a website, never place a link to your email address. Spiders crawl the web to mine email addresses for spambots.

On-line Auctions Only use well-known on-line auction firms, like Ebay . Check the seller’s feedback rating. Never use a credit card. Use Paypal instead or a brokerage firm for larger purchases. Only use well-known brokerage firms. Research firms and sites if you are not familiar with them. One place to look is the Better Business Bureau web site . Never deal with a seller that contracts you directly. Only make purchases using the website. A common scam on Ebay, for example, is to set the reserved price higher than the seller knows it will ever go. When the auction closes without a winner, they email the people with the highest bids and say okay, you didn't meet my price, but I am willing to sell it to you for the price that you bid. If you purchase like this, you are doing so outside of the protection of the website. Additionally, you will not be able to enter negative feedback for the seller and warn other buyers about their scam.