How safe am I?

Hi

As my name implies I'm not too hot on computers.

I want to know how safe I am. Does my network provider or more scarily my web host and out sourced techy bloke have access to my email and web activity?

My ISP is AOL but I think I am also networked somehow through Microsoft outlook.

I don't know if any of this gobbledygook means anything to anyone but I guess I'm just asking who can access my private and business mail and track my browsing. And what can I do either to stop them or if I find they are?

cheers Scot.

So what you're saying is that unless someone has my password they can't get my mail.

If I add an extra email address as with yahoo who can see that?

I'm sorry it's just paranoia but I used to look forward to a night on my own with a few beers and a porno vid. No one knew it existed except me and my conscience. Now I get the feeling that all I've got to do is look for a birthday present for my grandson and I'll get followed by the paedo police for the rest of my life!

Thanks for the reply it really helped.

The tech guy would not have access to your email unless you provide him with your password. Your ISP (AOL) has access to your email but would not look through it unless subpoenaed. There are packet sniffing programs and hackers out there that may be able to intercept your email but this goes for almost any email provider. Unless you are not careful with your password or you have keyloggers most likely no one will be looking through your emails.

PS Microsoft Outlook is an email application which retrieves your emails from AOL's POP3 server to display on your desktop. In order for Outlook to have access to your email you must set it up with your username and password. At the same time you can still check your emails on AOL's website.

If you do not have antivirus protection then go to this website
http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-avg-... to download an excellent free antiviruse program. Click the link at the bottom of the first column to start the download and then just follow the step-by-step instructions. When you get a box that says Run or (another option), click Run. You may have to restart your computer in order for the download to take effect.