As I had said, here is alittle info on how to take care of your belongings/self while on the ever dangerous internet:

:: Hiding Your IP ::

This is for those people who absolutely want their IP hidden at all costs.

1) Do not use any IRC related chats.

2) Do not use any services where your IP can be seen easily.

3) Do not use any peer-to-peer services.

4) While surfing, you can hide your IP by connecting through a proxy. Tools => Internet Options: "Connections" tab.

5) You can hide your IP in IRC by connecting through a BNC or vhost. You will need to buy a shell to do so. Visit: http://www.unixshells.org

:: General Info ::

1) Don't download and run any programs/software that you have no idea on what they do.

>> Usualy trojans/virii will come in a form of a compiled program without an icon except for the dos default, or when you run it, nothing happens but your hourglass shows for a while then returns to normal.

2) Get a virus scanner. Norton is a good one, but tends to eat up resources. McAfee is also good.

3) Get firewall, software protects against probing, but it's safer to buy hardware firewall.

4) If you are on IRC, and you get messaged saying to go to a webpage, don't. It is more than likely an Java imbedded mirc trojan, or you are asked to download a file wich contains the trojan itself.

:: Online Transactions ::

1) Look for any indication that they use 128-bit (or higher) encryption or SSL.

2) Make sure that the company you are using comes higly recommended.

3) Become familiar with the staff.

4) Visit the FAQ.

5) If you have questions, ask as many as you can to the support team.

6) Don't use your credit card ALL THE TIME.

:: Avoiding Spam ::

1) Uncheck all the boxes in your "Interests"

2) Read through all signup pages carefully and uncheck any boxed saying if you would like to "recieve any information".

3) Check the boxes that say that "You would NOT like to recieve any information".

4) Create a bulk email address: Create another email address using any email provider, and when you are in a signup page, use that email address in the "Email" field.

5) Note: .0001% of the time, providing your actual billing address will result in mail spam. It is very unlikely and I think illegal.



That's pretty much all I can think of right now.