Always Use Protection

Most teens (and adults) learn computer security in a very haphazard fashion. They read a few web pages, install an antivirus program and firewall, and think they're safe. Unfortunately, if that's how you learned about security, there are almost certainly holes in your knowledge, and since an attack always comes at your weakest point, that makes you vulnerable.

Here's a short quiz that will help you see if you really do know your security. Good luck!

Antivirus programs that do a scheduled scan once a day provide adequate protection from viruses.

If you don't open an infected email attachment and don't browse unknown websites, you'll never get a virus.

A software firewall provides adequate protection for a cable or DSL line.

New systems are generally up to date and reasonably safe to connect immediately to the Internet.

It's ok to leave your wireless network unencrypted as long as you have firewalls on all your computers.

There are many viruses that can't be cleaned by even the best antivirus programs.

You can always avoid fake websites by typing the address in (avoiding email links), and identify a secure connection by the "lock" symbol in your browser status bar.

Most cookies do not contain any personal information and are not nearly the privacy risk that many people believe.

Deleting files and then emptying the recycle bin makes it impossible for someone to recover the information in those files.

Teens suffer much higher rates of identity theft than adults.

Adware and Spyware not only compromise your privacy, they can also severely reduce the performance of your computer and cause numerous other problems.

Chat rooms and the Internet have become the primary way that sexual predators find victims today.