CyberDefender has just released a list of the ten worst things you can do on the Internet that compromises your computer security and makes it vulnerable to attacks from hackers. Here are some tips on how to stay safe and identify possible attacks.

We have added some links to free online scanning services!

1. "Tick" stay logged in on public and friends computers.
   If you're using a public, your friends or the computer at work you have to remember logging off from the websites you've visited and example could be Gmail, eBay, Amazon etc. Delete your browsing and download history and saved form data. Also remember to delete saved passwords!
2. Missing updates for Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash and Java.
   You have to update above mentioned software as soon as you receive a notification. This is due to the fact that updates address security vulnerabilities as well as known ways of "attaching" viruses and other malware to a webpage.
3. Searching for gossip and "lurky" material such as leaked "videos".
   Many love to search for celebrities and their leaked private videos. This is a known fact which is being used by attackers, who will try to infect your computer with a virus or trojan. If you have to go searching for lurky material you should use Google or Bing as they will identify these pages.
   NOTE: It is recommended to use Google Chrome and Firefox as the browser also has a filter blocking websites that Internet Explorer doesn't! (Tested and verified with several websites, 82% of these pages were not identified by Internet Explorer).
   
4. Using BitTorrent to download material from the internet.
   You should only use legitimate websites and services.
   NOTE: One of the worst download services out there is LimeWire as it attaches viruses to the songs you download.
   
5. Searching for Free "soot".
   Free "soot" is usually the fastest way to an empty credit card and lots of computer problems. Cyber Hackers profit from this kind of search as they also use this as a way to access your computer. It's very common that they require you to install a player or viewer on your computer once there you're in trouble.
6. Online Gaming.
   Be careful when playing online and download clients for you to play for free. These clients can also be infected. You should under no circumstance give away your personal information!
7. Adding all your personal information on Facebook.
   Go through the security settings on your Facebook profile. Do not allow the friends of your friends to see your personal information, as this can be used to track your credit card information for one. People may also be able to see when you're on holiday showing potential burglars when they have "open house".
8. Using unknown unsecure wireless networks.
   Be very careful when using the above mentioned networks when in public places. You should always use official hot spots such as airports and hotels. In windows 7 you have added security when connecting to wireless networks.
9. Using the same password for all your online services.
   This is one of the classics. If the cyber hackers have one of your passwords they would have access to all the services you use. Make sure you have different passwords and change them often.
   NOTE: You should use complicated passwords of at least 8 characters using both upper and lower case as well as special characters (#¤%&_ etc.).
   
10. Trying to get a "Free iPad, PlayStation 3 or other gadgets".
    This is too good to be true so don't click them. Free stuff always comes at a price!

Staying safe

The above mentioned tips are only a few of the things you can do to stay safe. Here are a few other tips.

1. Microsoft, Adobe and other Software vendors will never mail you personally with warnings. Warnings will be in public media such as national TV or news papers. Forwarding these warnings to everybody in your friends list will create the famous "snowball" crippling the internet because it ends up in millions of mails.
2. The so-called "Africa Letters" telling you that you have been selected to inherit some money and you only have to help with a transfer after which you can keep a certain percentage.
3. Lottery wins are at present, one of the most common scams. This scam is also announced through websites where they may have a popup telling that you're visitor number one million.
4. Websites telling you that your computer isn't safe and you can scan the computer for free or the scan starts automatically. There is one of the most effective scams at the moment. After the scan is over there will always be a warning about something after which you can be led to buy software which is completely useless or it infects your computer.
   Use reliable sources for free online scans like HouseCall and BitDefenders.

Free software

You can find all the software you need online and most of it is free.

Antivirus

AVG Free Antivirus
Comodo Free Internet Security (Firewall and Anti-Virus in one)
AntiVir
Avast

Firewall

ZoneAlarm
Comodo Firewall
Outpost Firewall (Agnitum)

Malware/Spyware

Spybot Search & Destroy
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
Windows Defender (Microsoft)

Online Scanners

CA - Link (IE only)

BitDefender - Link (IE only)

ESET - Link

ewido - Link (IE only)

F-Secure - Link (IE only)

Nano Scan - Link

TrendMicro - Link