Playing it safe on the Web

Last night I tuned into a WSL webinar, which covered various aspects around staying safe and sound on the Web (how to browse dangerously whilst staying safe).

The following areas were covered:

• Passwords (how to create a good password, password managers)
• Viruses and malware (what they are and do)
• How to stay Virus free and how to get rid of them
• Privacy (how to maintain privacy on social networks)

It thought the session was quite useful, not just for my own benefit but also for situations whereby students ask questions around safe Web browsing. The 1-hour session is recorded here if you would like to check it out for yourself.

thedaringlibrarian.com

Below is a handy list of resources that will help you stay safe on the Web.

Tool	Source
Random Word Generator	http://coyotecult.com/tools/randomwordgenerator.php
The Diceware Passphrase Home Page	http://world.std.com/~reinhold/diceware.html
How secure is my password?	https://howsecureismypassword.net/
The last password you will have to remember	https://lastpass.com/
Open source, light-weight and easy-to-use password manager	http://keepass.info/
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)	http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
AVG AntiVirus (free)	http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage
AVAST AntiVirus (free)	http://www.avast.com/index
COMODO AntiVirus (free)	http://www.comodo.com/
Malwarebytes (free)	http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Google / Secure your passwords	http://www.google.com/goodtoknow/online-safety/passwords/
Google / Keep your device clean	http://www.google.com/goodtoknow/online-safety/device/
HTTPS Everywhere (Firefox and Chrome extension that encrypts your communications with many major websites, making your browsing more secure)	https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
Anonymity, Privacy, and Security Online	http://www.pewinternet.org/Press-Releases/2013/Anonymity-Privacy-and-Security-Online.aspx
VPN (virtual private network)	http://vpnverge.com/what-is-vpn/
Why You Should Start Using a VPN (and How to Choose the Best One for Your Needs)	http://lifehacker.com/5940565/why-you-should-start-using-a-vpn-and-how-to-choose-the-best-one-for-your-needs
Android Device Manager	https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager?hl=en&u=0
Apple iCloud Find my iPhone	http://www.apple.com/icloud/find-my-iphone.html
Remove Ask Toolbar and Ask.com Search (Uninstall Guide)	http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-ask-toolbar-and-search/
Flashblock (a content-filtering Firefox extension)	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashblock
NoScript Firefox extension (provides extra protection for Firefox, Seamonkey and other mozilla-based browsers: this free, open source add-on allows JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only by trusted web sites of your choice (e.g. your online bank))	http://noscript.net/
Gizmos Freeware Reviews	http://www.techsupportalert.com/
Portable Apps (software solution allowing you to take your favourite software with you)	http://portableapps.com/