Digital Survival - internet

Search engine security

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:27:58 +0000

If you are concerned about someone monitoring your search keywords, you can use an SSL connection with Google. Just type in https://www.google.com. This doesn't prevent Google from logging your search requests, but it does ensure that your search is not being monitored by a third party on the internet. If you are also concerned about Google logging your search requests, you can use a search engine like Scroogle http://scroogle.org), which uses Google's search database but doesn't log your keywords.

Tags:

internet

search engines

web-browsing

security

Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

Web-browsing tips

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:11:34 +0000

Don't use Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is the most common web browser, but it has many flaws and vulnerabilities that viruses and spyware take advantage of. Instead, consider Mozilla Firefox which is recognised as being safer and more secure than Internet Explorer. It's free to download and install, and it has a number of add-ons which enhance the security and privacy of your internet browsing. You can find out more about it and download it in the Security in-a-box Hands on Guide (http://security.ngoinabox.org/firefox_main)
Beware of Pop-Up Scams. Viruses, adware and spyware. They will trick you into thinking that you’re downloading or installing things that are good for your computer. Often when you’re surfing the web, ads will pop up on your screen, saying things like, “Your computer may have viruses – click here to protect your computer!” Sometimes these pop-ups look just like messages from Windows or another legitimate program. Don't respond to these prompts.
Use Bookmarking! It's easy to lose track of all the great stuff you see on the web, and bookmarking is one way both to record addresses and to organise them. Every browser has a bookmark menu. If you use internet cafes, you can use a service like Delicious which will provide you with a place on the web to store your bookmarks.
Never ever give up your account information if you have doubts about security. Although it is very helpful and easy to buy things and do your banking online, be sure to check the security of the online stores you wish to use, as well as that of any banks you may have transactions with. They should always use SSL.

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Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

Web-browsing security

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:09:15 +0000

Many countries have installed software to prevent people from accessing certain websites and internet services. Companies, schools and public libraries often use similar software to prevent employees, students and patrons from accessing material that they consider distracting or harmful. Some filters block sites based on their IP addresses, while others blacklist certain domain names, or search through all unencrypted internet communication, looking for specific keywords. If you suspect that the page you are looking for is being censored, you may want to consider using an anonymity tool like Tor (www.torproject.org). You can learn more about bypassing censorship in Security in a Box (http://security.ngoinabox.org/en/chapter-8)

Tags:

internet

web-browsing

security

Browsing web-pages

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:59:28 +0000

A web-browser is the main way for you to view information on the internet. If you are reading this guide on the web, then you are using a web-browser to do it. The most commonly used browsers are Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Google Chrome. Most of what you do on the internet can be done via the web-browser.

This includes: -

Reading web-pages
Research using a search engine
Reading and composing email
Creating and editing documents and spreadsheets, using online applications
Interacting with online communities and networks
Creating and updating your own web-pages
Communicating in real time via text and voice.

Things you will find in a web browser:

An address bar where you can type the address (or URL) of a website (such as www.tacticaltech.org).
A search window (in which you can type keywords) that connects to a search engine
A home button which will take you back to a designated web-page that is opened every time you restart your browser (this can be changed in the 'preferences' or 'options' menus).
A stop button which will stop a web-page from loading. This is helpful if the page seems to be taking a while to download into your browser
A reload/refresh button which will start downloading the page again from the beginning
Forward and Back buttons which make it easy to navigate through pages you have already browsed.
A bookmark bar, where you can store website addresses which you might want to visit again.

Tags:

internet

web-browsing

Internet security

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:44:33 +0000

All data travels through the internet in a readable format unless it is encrypted. SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer; this is the technology which allows your computer to communicate over the internet privately. SSL turns the information into a code (encrypts it) so that it cannot be read by unauthorised people. You may have seen SSL on banking websites where you are required to enter private financial information. You will know when you are on an SSL-supported website because you will see a little padlock sign on the lower frame of the browser window, and the internet address of the site will begin with HTTPS rather than HTTP. It is a good idea to use SSL for your email too, if possible. It will encrypt your login details (so that no one can get hold of your password) and your outgoing email so that it cannot be intercepted on the way to the recipient. If you are using email software (where your email messages are downloaded straight to your computer) such as Thunderbird or Microsoft Outlook, it should be set to use SSL – this needs to be agreed with your server. For webmail accounts, such as Gmail and Yahoo, you will probably also have to enable SSL, either as a preference in your account settings or by typing in the HTTPS manually (by logging in to https://gmail.com instead of http://gmail.com). You should always make sure that your connection is secure before logging in, reading your email, or sending a message.

Tags:

internet

security

Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

Connecting

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:41:16 +0000

If you don't have your own computer the easiest way to access the internet is to visit an internet café which provides computers connected to the internet for customers to use. If you do have your own computer, and you plan to use the internet a lot and don't want to sit for hours a day in an internet café, you can set up your own internet connection. To do this, you will need: - To open an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) - Some extra equipment to help your computer make the connection. This may include: a modem (sometimes these are built into a computer and sometimes they are externally connected), a phone line or a wireless router - Software, such as an internet browser and email program (see later sections on email and browsing) What you can do with your connection to the internet depends largely on how much bandwidth your internet connection gives you. Internet connections are often delivered in the following ways:

Via wires:

Dial-up: your computer dials a telephone number using an internal modem to connect. This is slow and limits you to email and light web-browsing.
Broadband or DSL and Cable: your computer will use an external modem (often provided by your Internet Service Provider) to connect to the internet via your phone line (it doesn't dial) or via the cable for your television. This provides medium-to-high speed and will allow you to do email and heavier web-browsing, and watch video.
Super-fast or Fibre Optic: also done using an external modem, the difference here is that you are connecting to a special wire provided by your ISP. This is fast and will allow you to do just about anything on the internet, but current availability is limited to developed countries.

Wirelessly:

Satellite: often used in areas with no existing telephone or television cable infrastructure. A satellite dish is positioned on the outside of a building; it connects to a modem inside the building which provides an internet connection. The speed of the connection will depend on a number of factors. This is an expensive way of getting an internet connection.
Wifi: many commercial establishments, including cafes and hotels offer wifi (wireless) connectivity for their customers. Your computer will need its own wifi reciever (now built into most laptops). These connections often operate at medium-to-high speeds.
Mobile phones: also called 'Tethering.' Your computer can use your mobile phone as an internet modem if your mobile network provides this service. This is often slow, though some locations may offer higher speeds. Mobile phone network providers also sell and provide USB peripheral devices called dongles, which will allow your computer to connect to the network's internet signal.

If you have a faster connection, you are able to do much more. If your connection is slower you can speed it up by setting your web-browser to read text only and by not downloading email attachments. These options can be adjusted in the settings of your browser and email programs.

Tip- If your internet connection has recently slowed down, it is worth investigating. Sluggishness can be caused by anything from a virus to a bad configuration on your hardware. Some useful information about troubleshooting for slow internet connections can be found here: http://compnetworking.about.com/od/speedtests/tp/slow-network-connection...

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The Internet

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:32:38 +0000

Introduction

The internet can't be bought or owned by an individual, the way a computer or a software programme can. It is made up of millions of computers connected to each other, all around the world, constantly sharing, swapping and storing information. This section covers simple ways of getting the most out of the internet. It will also introduce you to some of the basic security precautions that you should follow in order to use the internet safely.

After reading this chapter, you should understand:

How to connect to the internet
How bandwidth affects what you can do on the internet
How to use these tools effectively and safely:
- browsers
- search engines
- online applications
- social networking
- email
- instant messaging and VOIP

Tags:

internet