STOP- are we safe downloading this stuff?

[Bluejeanslady]

Ed Dale Stop! Will you be teaching internet security/safety for all of us newbies about to go online with our lives? Sorry, but it's hanging in the back of my mind.

How do we newbies set things up to keep hackers, identity thieves etc out? All these app's require passwords....how many can YOU remember?

Guess I am a real lump of coal...but I want to be a diamond. Is there a safety online lesson? (preferably before setting up all these programs?)

There are bound to be a few basic rules.

[Seth]

Bluejeanslady

There is nothing that Ed has talked about downloading that is any "riskier"
than anything you download from the net. With an antivirus/spyware program and firewall you are protected. These tools and sites are all quality sites and you don't need to pay for anything. Much safer than regular email programs.

Passwords - many use a password tool to fill in username/password. Flock has an addon Firefox and IE both do. A separate one is good but there wont be that many sites where you will have to use it. Just use the same one for everything and you should be able to do it.

Basic rules - Dont give out your credit card no but like I said you dont need it here. I also dont like sites that ask to "invite friends" from your email contacts. They ask for your email password. I just skip that part if asked.

Email is much less secure than anything Ed will present here so really no need to teach safety/security.

No worries Bluejeanslady. There is no need for security as you are not giving anymore info usually than name, email and creating a password.

Uncle Ed will make sure you are safe.

Seth

[CraigStokes]

Your concerns are very valid and I applaud you for having the sense to even consider your safety on the Internet. A lot of folks don't give it any thought at all which is a shame.

However, all of the applications Ed has asked us to download should be safe. You won't be harassed by viruses or spyware from installing anything required for the 30DC.

As a computer professional (military and private sector) for 10+ years here's my advice.

1. Don't give out any personal information that you would feel uncomfortable with strangers knowing about you. I don't see a problem with using your real name and hometown.....but obviously, you may not want to divulge your address, phone number, SSN, or any other "valuable" personal information to the Internet at large.

2. Use strong passwords: Your birthdate, kid's name, or phone number don't make wise passwords. If someone wanted to hack (gain access to) one of your accounts, these are some of the first things someone would try to use to guess your password. A strong password will consist of a combination of lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Examples include: MaD!411, H3lloW0r!D, Start109$

3. You've got to evaluate the risk/sensitivity factor for the accounts you are using. Ask yourself, "What would happen if someone hacked "X" account?" A compromised work email account or corporate Intranet site might be a really big deal but what would really happen if someone hacked your twitter or StubleUpon account? In most instances, this would just present a hassle at worst. Trust me, most hackers are not concerned with John Doe's twitter, StumbleUpon, gmail, or 30DC account.

4. As far as remembering passwords......some experts might tell you to choose a separate "strong" password for every account you have. In my experience, I find that it is acceptable to use one strong password for all of my "non-critical" web accounts. By using one strong password, I'm able to commit it to memory and am not forced to write down multiple passwords. Just like your PIN number for your debit/ATM card, your online passwords are more vulnerable if you have them written down somewhere where another person may find them. Of course, it would be smart to use separate passwords for your banking, credit cards, and work related accounts.

I hope my ramblings here provide some usefulness. Maybe others can provide further helpful feedback. Good luck to you in the 30DC!

[simonzippy]

My own personal view is that internet security is something we all have to take responsibility for. I don't think Ed even needs to record a video related to security because I think that it is something to be aware of before the 30DC.

Ed's recordings are related to internet marketing, there is plenty of information online already regarding security. I honestly don't think that he should be burdened with having to record extra videos that aren't really related to his expertise.

[Allison]

I like your forum topic title, very eye catching, if a little dramatic.

It is very wise to be aware of what you are downloading, but also to understand who is asking you to download. Your teacher has been using and testing the applications and so it would be pretty common sense to believe

a) there is going to be little risk as Ed's reputation is on the line
b) if Ed is using them then it's been tested for anything nasty.



So saying that it really is a personal responsibility as others have said, to ensure you are not using soft passwords.

Web 2.0 applications makes using the tool so easy to use that it can seem that there is little substance to the security side. But remember a lot of reputations (and incomes!) are on the line here and the stuff being taught is really middle of the road safe and secure.

[kusiasare]

A smart idea so you can use unique passwords for all different services without having to come up with a new one for each one, is to have one master password that you always use, but add a few letters from the name of the services.

E.g. if your regular password is P@$$w0rd, then your password for thirty day challenge could be 30DCP@$$w0rd, for Twitter TWP@$$w0rd, for FriendFeed FFP@$$w0rd etc.

[Bluejeanslady]

You all have made me feel better. My computer completely froze up last year when I started downloading all the different app's, so I missed the challenge after the 1st few videos. Did not want to go thru that again. I know next to nothing about what is or isn't safe, regarding my hardware, so thought I'd be smart to ask. Yes, I understand it is MY responsibility to protect myself. But, I also will need to know how to protect a business online, should I be one of the challengers who does very well, and that IS my plan.

This year I am on a new computer, and should have plenty of memory, so here I go. I intend to do well.

Thanks again for responding.

[Caro]

Originally Posted by Bluejeanslady

But, I also will need to know how to protect a business online, should I be one of the challengers who does very well, and that IS my plan.

Just a couple of things to add - broadening the perspective.

As your response touched on two areas that I think are useful to comment on.

When you do identify a successful niche and build a burgeoning business, one of the things you will face are prospects who are nervous about buying information online - will their credit card details be safe etc.

The 30DC will address this when we get to that stage. What I would say right now - it will be important for you to understand the process so that you learn that the 3rd party merchant facilities we use are safe etc so that you can credibly assure your own prospects (again, we are not there yet - as Product is 4th in importance and timing in the Symphony of Four)/

The other comment made above was to protect your business. That will require you to seek your own legal counsel.

No one here on the 30DC forum is able to offer any advice (not suggesting you are looking for it - this is more the 'blah blah' blurb to make sure we are being responsible) that is legal or financial - unless that person is a qualified expert in that field.

Caro

[starshooter]

Originally Posted by Caro

No one here on the 30DC forum is able to offer any advice (not suggesting you are looking for it - this is more the 'blah blah' blurb to make sure we are being responsible) that is legal or financial - unless that person is a qualified expert in that field.

Caro

Really!?? The funny thing is, a financial planner can give financial advice but are they necessarily a qualified expert in that field? haha LOL...

[Caro]

Originally Posted by starshooter

Really!?? The funny thing is, a financial planner can give financial advice but are they necessarily a qualified expert in that field? haha LOL...

LOL - not even going to go there with that one!

Caro