GlobeTrotter High Speed service keeps you connected to the network of networks at all times. By its configuration, GlobeTrotter is a highly secure network. Contrary to other services, GlobeTrotter High Speed service offers secure access between your home and the GlobeTrotter server. However, as your computer is connected to the Internet at high speed, it could become a target for ill-intentioned or simply curious people.

Various reasons may motivate people attempting to penetrate into your computer: curiosity, or a desire to use your computer as a relay station or your high-speed connection or your material resources.

Certain precautions must be taken to protect your data and equipment. First, avoid sharing your resources: hard disk, printer or files. If you do, protect its access with a password that will be hard to break by a third person: avoid using birth dates, addresses, phone numbers or license numbers. A good password is composed of letters and numbers with a combination of capital and small letters. We suggest that you frequently change your password. If you can, deactivate night sharing or sharing when you are not using your computer.

Some programs or units offer protection against intrusions. The best way is the use of a firewall. A firewall, however, requires precautions. Frequent updates are required because some people take pleasure in gaining access through a firewall and then broadcast this information in specialized discussion groups or directly on a website.

We cannot talk about security without mentioning the dread that viruses are. Viruses can contaminate your computer through contaminated diskettes, attached email files, files transmitted by a chat application or files downloaded from the Internet. The installation of a good anti-virus program is basic to virus protection. As for the firewall, you must update your program quite often (every two weeks minimum) because the program protects you against viruses that are known when it is designed but, as you know, a new virus is born almost every day. Another possible area of concern for parents is the illicit content sometimes found on the Internet. To protect their children, parents can use programs, available from a computer vendor or directly on the Internet, that will let them block certain sites by the use of keywords.

Be it for firewall or anti-virus/parent control programs, demo versions can be found on the Internet that will let you test the product for a certain period of time and select the product best suited for your needs.

You must instruct all people using your computer to observe rules that will give you complete peace of mind.

• Do not open a file when its origin is doubtful.
• Never share passwords with others.
• Do not enter your credit card number on a non-secure site or give it to a business that inspires distrust.
• Never give personal information to strangers.
• Never install a program when in doubt about its origin.
• Do not trust greeting cards from unknown people.
  

These basic rules will allow you to fully enjoy your Internet access and avoid potential inconveniences.