When you click on a link provided by a search engine for a medication you are taking or maybe a popular TV show, there is a good chance that you may end up at a site packed with spyware and/or viruses ready to pounce on your computer.
In this week’s tip, I don’t want to rant about viruses and spyware or even the nuances of searching. All of these topics are thoroughly covered here at the web site. Instead, I want to point out some general tips and ideas and to keep in mind when searching the web…regardless of which search engine you choose.
Spelling is paramount. The degenerates who spread filth make a living on taking advantage of our spelling mistakes. Google helps by ‘suggesting’ a corrected spelling on occasion, but don’t rely on it.
- If your browser has various search toolbars installed, don’t use them! Unless, it is one YOU installed like Google or Yahoo. If you didn’t install any of them, then you have bigger problems with spyware…another topic.
- Use an alternative browser like Firefox or Opera.
- When looking at the search engine’s findings:
- Take a moment to look at the short description of the site found BEFORE clicking. Unscrupulous web designers will use tricks to get their site to appear towards the top of the search results.
- NEVER click on a search result whose web address looks like numbers (i.e. http://63.175.50.100/)
- If you arrive at a site and get questionable pop-up ads, immediately close your browser window and any other pop-ups that came up. Next, disconnect from the Internet and run your anti-spyware programs.
Before searching for information, consider using known resources to start your search. For example, if you are looking to answers to medical questions, start at a reputable site like webmd.com. And also remember, that our archives contain hundreds of pre-screened links for computer tips, medical sites, bargain and shopping sites and much more!
