Test Your Smarts

Internet User License
Beginner’s Permit

Are You Qualified to Use the Internet?

Instructions:

Please answer the questions below. Select the best answer for each question. You will be provided with immediate feedback. To protect your privacy, this website will not retain any information you submit.

Examination:

New Computer
When you get a new computer, is it okay to plug it into the Internet and use it right away?

select answer
1.  Yes – Vendors always install everything you need
2.  Yes – It will be awhile before hackers find me
3.  No – I am vulnerable until my system is patched

Get Help With Answers

Maintaining Your Computer
What programs need to be updated and/or patched?

Select the best answer below
1.  Operating System
2.  Office Suite
3.  Tax programs
4.  Plug-ins like Acrobat Reader
5.  Media players
6.  Messenger programs
7.  Games
8.  Every program on my computer

Get Help With Answers

Anti-Virus
If your computer came with an anti-virus program, are you protected against virus, worm, and trojan attacks?

Select the best answer below
1.  Yes – I don’t need to do anything
               I’m good to go
2.  No – First I need to run the update
3.  No – I need to schedule regular updates
4.  No – My trial version expires in 3 months
              and I have to renew it
5.  No – I need to do everything in items
              2 through 4 above
6.  No – Sometimes new malicious programs
              attack before an update is available

Get Help With Answers
E-mail Attachments
If you get an e-mail attachment, is it okay to open it?

Select the best answer below
1.  Yes – They are usually harmless and funny
2.  No – All attachments are bad news
3.  Yes – If the sender has told me a file coming
4.  No – Any attachment could contain a virus, torjan or worm
5.  Yes – If it looks like it is from somebody I know

Get Help With Answers
Privacy
Is your privacy protected when you use your computer on the Internet?

Select the best answer below
1.  No – I have to beware of identity theft and spyware
2.  Yes – I’m protected by a password
3.  Yes – I’m protected by a firewall

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Protection
What do you need to install on your computer besides an anti-virus program to protect your privacy and data?

Select the best answer below
1.  A personal firewall program or firewall applicance
2.  Anti-spyware programs
3.  Both item 1 and 2 above
4.  Nothing, I just need to be careful

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When You Get “spam”
What should you do when you get spam (unsolicited commercial e-mail) messages?

Select the best answer below
1.  Send a message back telling them to quit
2.  Unsubscribe, if that is an option
3.  Click on interesting links
4.  Delete these messages
5.  Buy stuff if the offer looks good
6.  Install anti-spam software & delete

Get Help With Answers

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Your Score:

questions out of 7 were answered correctly on your first try.

Interpreting Your Score:

If you did not get the correct answer to all of these questions on your first try, you are not ready to use the Internet and may pose a risk to the rest of the Internet community. When you fail to act responsibly, you may help spread worms, viri, and other malicious programs. Unless you are ready to accept responsibility for the security of your information and your computer, you are also at risk for identity theft and attacks on your computer that could expose any information you have. Be smart and be safe — do what it takes to practice safe computing on the Internet.

The SecurityFocus Home User’s Security Checklist for Windows

If you found the above test helpful, you may also want to look at the Home User’s Security Checklist found at:

http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/220