We can all easily forget online risks; TECH NOTES.

THIS year marks the 40th anniversary of the first network between two computers. That technology later became the basis for what we call the Internet. And while back then security wasn't much of an issue, today it should be one of our biggest concerns. The first web users didn't need to worry about identity and security. The only computers on the 'Internet' were for academic or governmental groups, and it's likely the operators knew one another personally, so there was inherent trust between them and their data was mostly related to research.

Since those humble beginnings the basic principles haven't changed much, but the number of connected machines has multiplied by a phenomenal factor. As has the number of malicious users. Imagine you're making a purchase over the internet. How do you know when you hand your credit card details over that they're going only to the supplier? One of the major risks online is phishing. The address of a website can be spoofed to look like you're actually somewhere else. And while it may look exactly like your bank's website, for example, in actual fact it can be set up to trick you into handing over your account details.

Thankfully, systems have evolved to mitigate these risks. For websites, a connection can be encrypted so that the data cannot be read by a hacker, and more importantly in the case of phishing, the identity of the website can be confirmed.

Additionally, many web browsers and anti-virus software packages come with anti-phishing tools. The developers of these packages maintain a database of known phishing websites and alert you of the risks when you try and visit them.

Despite these technological advances, you still need to be careful when you're online. So here are a few tips: First, when handing over personal details such as your credit card number, look out for the padlock symbol (usually found on the address bar). This is an indication that your connection to the website has been encrypted and that its identity has been verified.

Second, make sure you're using an up-to-date internet browser with built in anti-phishing capabilities, such as Internet Explorer 8, Firefox or Chrome. Finally, for extra security, ensure your antivirus software also includes an anti-phishing filter. AVG Free is a good option and is available to download for free. There needs to be a reasonable degree of trust when using the Internet, as you can never prove an identity beyond all doubt, but often we forget there are real risks out there.

George Hewitt, Waterstons IT