Some thieves on the Internet, simply go fishing, or 'phishing', as the practice has come to be known, trolling the sea of online consumers in hopes of netting unsuspecting victims. One method of phishing is the sending of 'spoof' (fake) emails, which copy the appearance of popular Web sites or companies in an attempt to commit identity theft or other crimes. The good news is that you can stop spoof emails and Web sites in their tracks by taking a few simple precautions.
Safety online starts with keeping your computer secure by protecting it from viruses and other Internet threats. With an ounce of prevention, you can ensure that your computer is protected.
Viruses and What They Can Do
Viruses are pieces of code that install themselves onto your computer for malicious purposes. Viruses are designed to replicate themselves, spreading from computer to computer. Since the Internet is made up of millions of computers connected to each other, viruses thrive in the online world.
Some viruses are nothing more than an annoyance - others are more severe, slowing down your computer, deleting and stealing potentially sensitive information, or crashing your computer altogether.
Most viruses require some sort of human intervention - sharing and downloading infected files, opening attachments in emails, etc. The good news is that by taking a few preventive steps, you can help keep your computer safe and secure.
Safety Tips
1. Keep your Internet browser and computer up-to-date. Internet browsers such as Internet Explorer or Netscape are constantly updated with patches that make them even more resistant to the latest external threats. By visiting the Web site of your browser's manufacturer, you can make sure that your browser is as secure as possible with the latest updates. Making sure you have all current patches for your operating system is also important. These patches can be found at the manufacturer's Web site.
2. Use virus protection software and keep it current. Effective virus protection software will guard your computer, automatically detecting and scanning downloads for known viruses. Some popular virus protection software makers include: McAfee Security, Symantec, Computer Associates, F-Secure and Trend Micro.
Since virus creators are always inventing new, more threatening virus definitions, simply having the virus protection software is only half the battle - you should take steps to keep it current by visiting the Web site of the maker of your virus protection software.
3. Install a firewall Some online hackers spend their time looking for vulnerable computers - those that have left their front door wide open. By flagging and ignoring information that seems to be from a suspicious location, a firewall disables the ports that allow criminals to access your machine, rendering your computer invisible to hackers who are in search of vulnerabilities.
Identity theft is a crime that affects consumers at home, at work, in the shopping mall or online. Vigilant consumers who exercise common sense, monitor their account status and protect their personal information are the best equipped to safeguard their identity.
Safety Tips
1. Monitor your accounts. With a close eye on your account, you can spot suspicious activity and take steps to notify officials. The accounts that you hold with your bank, phone company, and e.commerce providers should be monitored regularly. You should also order a credit report every year to ensure that it is accurate.
2. Verify emails that ask for personal information in My Messages. Any email from BidEuphoria about your account or requesting personal information will be copied to My Messages. So, if you get an email about your account or requesting personal information, check to see if it is in My Messages. If it's not in My Messages, you know it is fake and you should immediately forward it to spam@bideuphoria.com
3. Use strong and unique passwords. Good passwords have two things in common. First, they include a combination of letters and numbers. This helps prevent someone from guessing your password and prevents an intruding computer from randomly going through words in the dictionary until it finds the right match.
Second, a strong password will be unique to the account. Just as you wouldn't use the same key for your car, your office and your house, unique passwords are an important preventative step in the event someone gets hold of one of your passwords.
4. What You Should Do if You've Become an Identity Theft Victim
Restoring your accounts and credit reports if you become a victim of identity theft can be an extremely frustrating and time-consuming experience. If you think you are a victim of identity theft you should contact a number of organizations that have an impact on credit ratings and security. The Federal Trade Commission offers an Affidavit of Identity Theft that can be notarized and then sent to creditors and agencies.
Credit bureaus Early contact should be made with the three credit reporting bureaus
Fraud Victim Assistance Department P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92834
Bank and other accounts If you believe that one of your accounts has been stolen, you should check with the companies that host your other online accounts to verify that all of your accounts are secure.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service If fraudulent charges are discovered on any of your accounts, you should call your local Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 800-388-2227 (or locate a regional bureau at www.nfcc.org) for assistance in clearing false claims from your credit report.
Check guarantee companies In cases where bank accounts have been opened fraudulently in your name, you should call a check guarantee company like Telecheck at 800-366-2425 or online at www.telecheck.com. These companies can flag your file so that the counterfeit checks will be refused.
Other Important Agencies The Department of Motor Vehicles The Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov The FBI: www.fbi.gov The Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov U.S. Postal Service (ID Theft involving mail): www.usps.com
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