Adware, Active Attack. Ad Killer. Buffer Overflow, Computer Network Attack, Computer worm, Data Driven Attack, DNS Spoofing, Email Worm, IP Spoofing, Keystroke Monitoring, Leapfrog Attack, and the list goes on and on.

These terms aren’t from a science fiction novel. They are products of the Internet-dependent world that we now live in.

Standard glossaries featuring internet security terms contain hundreds of strange sounding, mind-boggling phrases just like these. For this reason, the task of learning how to keep your computer, yourself and your children – safe from online predators can initially appear to be a daunting one.

Despite all the funny language, however, keeping yourself and your children safe online can be viewed as a straightforward task. All you have to do is keep in mind these Successful Gal tips and tricks for increased Internet security:

Get yourself some good anti-virus software, and be sure to switch on that firewall. Most new computers come equipped with these items, but if you’re using an older machine you’ll have to invest in these essential items. Once you have your software installed, be sure to update them regularly. I have tried many different types of software for security and have found Norton Anti-Virus to be the best. I use Norton Internet Security on all my computers and my children’s computers too. Many years ago I did find Norton to be heavy in computer resource use, but the versions that have come out in the last several years have stopped that.

Use an anti-spyware program. No one wants to become a victim of what is sometimes referred to as a “drive by download” from some malicious website. The results of a “drive-by download” range from mere irritating pop-up ads… to a criminal actually taking control of your computer. Microsoft now provides free anti-spyware. If you want to be extra-safe, Norton does have this feature built into its software which will also warn you about sites that are potentially unsafe.

Keep your data safe and sound through data backup. Are you a Successful Gal who works from home? A modern Successful Gal whose personal filing system is computer-based? In this case, be sure to employ a data backup system to ensure that important files are not lost, should happen to your computer. I have a separate hard drive that I back up all my work to each day.

Use common sense. Alas, that misspelled email you received is not really a letter from a handsome Egyptian prince who will, as he promises therein, marry you and make you a queen if you send him enough money for airfare to your country. Don’t share your bank details online, and do not open email attachments from strange senders. In addition, refrain from opening email attachments that seem strange and are unexpected, even if they appear to have been sent by people you know.

Phishing: is using websites or hacking e-mail to obtain your personal and credit card info for illegal purposes. They will use exact replicas of the website to try to trick you. Never open an email or click any links inside of an email if you don’t know who it is from and never give out personal information by clicking on a link in an email.

Do whatever it takes to keep your kids safe. Be sure to teach your children to keep their personal information private – particularly when using chat rooms, message boards, and blogs. Use internet security tools to limit access to potentially dangerous sites, and warn your kids about potentially hateful content that they might encounter online. Microsoft provides a series of helpful, age-based guidelines for kids’ internet use.

I have been using a new beta product from Norton on my children’s computer that I have found to be the best yet of all that I tried. Before that I had used Net Nanny but had many problems with that software. Norton Online Family is an online service that links parents to their children, giving parents the comfort to set their kids free online while still keeping them safe and sound. The benefits of using Norton Online Family include Simple, one-time set up, Easy to use and access to Check your child’s activity or modify your child’s profile and preferences anytime and anywhere using any computer. You will know where your kids visit, who they talk to, and what they’re doing while they’re online. Parents can also set and manage time limits, permitted sites, online chat and social networking preferences for each family member.

When it comes to Internet safety, knowledge is most definitely power. But this doesn’t mean that you need to absorb an exotic glossary of terms pertaining to every worm, trick and Harry that becomes a threat to your computer. It just means that you need to arm yourself with these straightforward tips and tricks.

Here is to your Health, Happiness and Personal Success