1)Make sure your Windows Firewall is switched on



2)Make sure you have a good antivirus package installed on your computer and that you regularly update it

3)Never open links from emails if you are unclear about its origin

4)Only download files from trusted websites

5)Only use a credit or debit card online with trusted providers i.e. ClickBank, PayPal etc

These basic points may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised at how many people make these mistakes. What follows could be a virus infection on their computer, credit card fraud, and a whole host of other problems.

The Internet is a useful tool but has too many problems and dangers. So what else can be done to minimise any risks? Well next time you plan to surf the net, why not use a proxy website? There are loads of proxy sites available on the net, mostly free, so you shouldn't have a problem finding one.

Proxies act as a middle man between your computer and the Internet. It routes data to you and handles all requests you make on your behalf. This way, when you visit websites, your details like your IP address and other information isn't disclosed to the website you're visiting. Instead, they capture the proxy's details. This is useful if you want to retain a degree on anonymity while you are surfing and also gives you an added layer of protection from virus threats and hackers.

My proxy website is sometimes called Ninja Proxy or Secret Proxy. It has been around for a while now and is getting increasingly popular. All you have to do is visit the address or if you type in Ninja Proxy in Google it should come up. When you are at the site scroll down and locate the URL bar. You will see the http in the box indicating the place of the web address. Once you have entered in all you have to do is hit the GO button and you're away!

Congratulations, you are now surfing behind an anonymous proxy website and your personal details are safe.

This is just one example of a proxy website that exists online. There are literally thousands of them out there. Another step you might want to take to protect yourself while online is to use an encrypted tunnel. These are particularly useful, especially if you are dealing with sensitive matters like large volume credit card transactions or Internet banking. The way it works is by creating a virtual tunnel between your computer and the server that provides the proxy and encryption services.

All of the data between you and the server and jumbled up. This is the purpose of encryption. This way, if somebody were to intercept and data, all they would get if jumbled up data and not the actual data itself. This would ensure maximum protection and should definitely be thought of seriously if you use a wireless Internet connection. There are numerous software packages available on the Internet that a hacker could purchase.

He could then download it and use it to hack your Internet connection from his computer. He could then steal you bandwidth, download illegal material, and even spy on your surfing habits. This is not meant to scare you but just to make you are of all potential dangers that exist while you are surfing online.

Unfortunately, encryption servers are not free and you will have to pay for it. It is definitely worth the money though and the level of protection you get from it is well worth it.

I hope you find this article useful and that you can use the tips and suggestions outlined to increase your safety and privacy while you surf online. Happy surfing!