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<page xmlns="http://projectmallard.org/1.0/"
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type="guide" style="task"
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id="net-security-tips">
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<revision pkgversion="3.4.0" date="2012-02-21" status="final"/>
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<revision version="13.10" date="2013-09-15" status="review"/>
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<link type="guide" xref="net-general"/>
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General tips to keep in mind when using the internet
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<credit type="author">
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<name>Steven Richards</name>
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<email>steven.richardspc@gmail.com</email>
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<include href="legal.xml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude"/>
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<title>Staying safe on the internet</title>
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<p>A possible reason for why you are using Ubuntu is the robust security that Linux based
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systems are known for. One reason that Linux is relatively safe from malware and
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viruses is due to the lower number of people who use it.
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Viruses are targeted at popular operating systems like Windows, that have an extremely large
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user base. Linux based systems are also very secure due to their open source nature, which allows
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experts to modify and enhance the security features included with each distribution.</p>
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<p>Despite the measures taken to ensure that your installation of Ubuntu is secure, there
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are always vulnerabilities. As an average user on the internet you can still be susceptible to:</p>
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<item><p>Phishing Scams (websites and emails that try to obtain sensitive information through deception)</p></item>
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<item><p><link xref="net-email-virus">Forwarding malicious emails</link></p></item>
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<item><p><link xref="net-antivirus">Applications with malicious intent (viruses)</link></p></item>
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<item><p><link xref="net-wireless-wepwpa">Unauthorized remote/local network access</link></p></item>
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<p>To stay safe online, keep in mind the following tips:</p>
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<item><p>Be wary of emails, attachments, or links that were sent from people you do not know.</p></item>
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<item><p>If a website's offer is too good to be true, or asks for sensitive information
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that seems unnecessary, then think twice about what information you are submitting and the potential
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consequences if that information is compromised by identity thieves or other criminals.</p></item>
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<item><p>Be careful in providing any application <link xref="user-admin-explain">root level permissions</link>, especially ones that
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you have not used before or apps that are not well-known. Providing anyone/anything with root level
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permissions puts your computer at high risk to exploitation.</p></item>
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<item><p>Make sure you are only running necessary remote-access services. Having
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SSH or VNC running can be useful, but also leaves your computer open to intrusion if not
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secured properly. Consider using a <link xref="net-firewall-on-off">firewall</link> to help
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protect your computer from intrusion.</p></item>
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