Privacy, Security & Virus Information

Protect Yourself From Online Threats: Tips to Help Secure
Your Computer

Every family computer has at least one person who uses e-mail and instant messaging (IM) for keeping in touch with family, friends, and business associates. Using these services unwisely, however, may make you and your computer susceptible to online threats including spam, phishing scams, viruses, Trojan horses, and other online problems. Here is some general advice in order to prevent you from becoming another statistic.

1. Always use up-to-date security software: By using security products, such as the McAfee® Internet Security Suite, you will be sure to protect your PC from viruses, worms, Trojans, unwanted e-mail (spam), phishing scams, and other malicious software. McAfee's products contain firewalls which can monitor your Internet connection and stop unsolicited to and from your PC. Make sure you download all updates given by your security software.

2. Only share your e-mail address with those you trust: Only your family, friends, and trusted business contacts should have your personal e-mail address. Refrain from posting your e-mail addressing on any website or public domain. If you post your e-mail on these sites, phishing scam artists and spammers will take your e-mail address and distribute it as they will. If you would like to subscribe to a newsletter or Web site and receive confirmation e-mail for online transactions, consider using a generic e-mail address that is not linked to any of your personal information. Here is an example of a generic e-mail address: monkey@samplee-mailbox.com

3. Never open any attachment unless you trust and know the source of the attachment: Even then, you should still be vigilant. Try to contact the sender of the attachment directly to make sure that they have not sent anything without their knowledge. Pay close attention to any warnings provided, if your choose to download files. Also, make sure your security software is enabled.

4. Be wary when using messaging programs. Be very careful when using these programs because many hackers use them as a way to get personal information from you. Never accept people you don't trust into your IM groups. Be smart about how you use your personal IM at work because your employer may monitor and view your personal messages.

5. Be careful and on the lookout for phishing scams: Phishing scams pretend to be a trusted online source - such as a bank or other financial institution - and ask that you send in your password. As a result, many people, thinking that the website is completely legitimate, give up there personal information quite easily. Always, verify web addresses before submitting your personal information.

6. Use e-mail carefully. Be wary of what information you send and receive when using your e-mail. Your friends and family might not have the same protection computer protection as you, so be careful. Never send your credit-card information, Social Security number, or other private information via e-mail.

7. To not open or reply to any spam e-mail. If you do not recognize the sender, do not respond. Even responding once to the e-mail may encourage more e-mail spam.

8. Make sure your e-mail is complex. With a complex e-mail address, it makes it more difficult for hackers to auto-generate your e-mail, send spam e-mail, or target your e-mail for other types of attacks. Try to use numbers or letters in a unique combination to make sure that your e-mail is hard to copy. A sample complex e-mail is: Tracy4soccer459@samplee-mail.com.

9. Make sure you passwords are foolproof and unbreakable. Always make it difficult for others to gain access to your personal information. You can make an effective password by using small and tall letters and special characters. Here is an example of a strong password is: Go1dM!n3.

10. Never enter personal information into a pop-up screen. Sometimes a phishing scam artist will direct you to a real organization web site - but then an unauthorized pop-up screen created by the scammer will appear. It will ask you to fill in personal information. However, you should never enter any information into a pup-up screen that you do
not trust.

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