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The simple act of browsing the Internet can be a dangerous thing. Attackers have become very savvy at tricking users into clicking on malicious sites, stealing login credentials and setting up bogus sites. These are just a few. Even legitimate sites are storing, selling and using your browsing information for marketing purposes. Below are a few traps a wandering browser can fall for.

• A deceptive link that you click, such as a pop-up you click on, even to close it.
• A clickable graphic that leads down a dangerous path.
• Simply opening a web page or an HTML email can start the installation.
• A sudden, urgent warning from your Operating System asking you to "click here to fix".
• Visiting a page that automatically directs you to another malicious site.
• Downloading a file from a malicious site.

Spyware:- software that enables a user to obtain covert information about another's computer activities by transmitting data covertly from their hard drive.

Adware: - software that automatically displays or downloads advertising material (often unwanted) when a user is online.

Try to avoid questionable sites such as:

• Adult sites.
• Social networking sites.
• File sharing sites.
• Free driver download sites.

Here are some tips to protect you when browsing. Remember common sense is your first line of protection.

• Ensure you have Windows Defender (or similar software) updated and running.
• Use a password manager.(link)
• Clear your web browser cache and cookies.
• Enable “do not track” in your browser.
• Use an ad blocker.
• Block Pop-ups.
• Keep your browser and any plugins updated.
• Use a browser that doesn't track your searches. (DuckDuckGo.com).
• Use a VPN.
• Don't let an unrelated site direct you to a login page such as your bank. Manually type in the address.
• Website address that begin with "http" are not secure! Look for "https".

Be careful of what you download.

One of the best ways to infect your computer is to download a file from a bogus site. There are many, very believable sites designed to get you to click. A lot of the support sites that offer free drivers for your printer for instance can contain malicious code. Sometimes you will get a pop-up urging you to update Adobe Flash Player or perhaps they say your computer needs a new Windows driver. One of the most common is a pop-up alert warning you that your computer has been infected. The problem will be fixed if you click their link. Just say no. If you do get one of these pop-ups leave the site, close your browser and run your anti-virus program. If you need to update a driver, do it manually.

You can spot a bogus site by looking at address (URL). Sites today encrypt the data between your computer and the site. If the address begins, http, be very aware. Sites that encrypt traffic begin with https. The "s" stands for secure.