Surf Gently

Agrees director,Windows Client,Microsoft Consumer & Online,Rajiv Popli: “There are 49 million internet users in India ,out of which 44 million use emails and close to 25 million browse the net everyday. Most of them are vulnerable to cyber crime,” he says.

Smooth Surfing
If the latest Trend Micro 2010 Future Threat Report is anything to go by,then one website visit is enough to get infected. “Softwares like malware and phishing are heavily impacting the way we use the net. Malware can damage your computer and downloads itself without permission. One needs to watch out if the address bar turns red,for that indicates that the website contains malware,” tells Popli,adding that one also needs to look out for phishing threats in web addresses. “To overcome phishing,a virus that helps obtain your personal information,be particular about the web address (URLs) that you are typing on the address bar to avoid deceptive and phishing sites who trick you with misleading addresses”.

It is important to protect your privacy on the internet. “While surfing on a shared PC or at a cyber café,make sure you delete your browsing history,temporary internet files and cookies,” adds Abhas Goyal,business analyst,Tech Mahindra.

Shop Wise
With about 91 per cent of all regular online Indians shopping online,74 per cent making travel buys and 50 per cent of them making payment with credit card,chances of being robbed off your hard earne money are high. “To avoid these,look for visual cues indicating that the site has been authenticated as legitimate and that the information you enter is protected. A VeriSign logo or a green browser address bar indicates that the site’s ownership has been verified and is safe. Besides,a Web address beginning with “https” indicates your communication is secure,” elaborates Chadha. “Check online ratings,reviews and whether it has an authentic and valid phone number and mailing address,” chips in Sandeep Sahi,vice-president,Engineering,Clickable,Inc.

He also recommends a two-factor authentication. “A growing number of sites are now beginning to accept a second form of user authentication that comes from physical devices such as a token,credit-card form factor,a USB drive,or even your cell phone. A one-time password is generated that is responsible for secure online transaction,” Sahi says. “Never select the ‘remember my password’ option and change your password every two to three months,” he says.

Talk light
Another area of concern is Facebook,Twitter and other networking sites. “You might be divulging too many personal details. When you put a photo,video or written account online,it stays for a very long time and a lot of people can see it,so the best option is to select high privacy settings. Be careful about personal interactions with your social networking friends,” Rishav Singla,a final year student of University Institute of Engineering and Technology,puts in the final word.