| Once you go online, it's open hunting season, and | | | | identifiableinformation such as passwords, or |
| one of themost common ways to get shot by | | | | account information. |
| someone else, or by yourself, | | | | These emails may look exactly like the 'real' email |
| (known as a negligent discharge in Wild Fowler | | | | sent out bythat firm. I joined PayPal, and the |
| circles), isthrough the use of email. | | | | following day I receivedan email saying my |
| Simply connecting to the internet is fraught with | | | | account was unconfirmed would be deleted if |
| dangers asyou instantly expose your data and | | | | I didn't confirm, and then it asked to put my |
| personal information to | | | | account email andpassword in the box. |
| Hackers, Identity Thieves, Viruses, Worms, and | | | | This email was exactly like the real PayPal site. |
| Data Mining | | | | Luckily Ichecked it with PayPal and didn't respond, |
| Spyware. | | | | and that was onlybecause the day before I had |
| Do ensure that you have a Firewall (included in | | | | read such a warning. |
| Windows XP),actually turned on, and that you | | | | It's easy to be scammed into providing crucial |
| have an effective Anti-Virusprogram. Personally I | | | | financial orprivate contact information which leaves |
| recommend AVG which is free because | | | | you vulnerable tocredit card theft, identity theft, |
| inspeaking with quite a few knowledgeable people | | | | or even fraud. If in doubt,go get the contact |
| who are involvedin setting up networks, they say | | | | number for the company from your |
| that AVG is equally as good asmost of the 'Paid | | | | statementand ring them. Never use a contact |
| For' software out there. | | | | number or contact detailsfrom such an email. |
| If you are 'new' to the internet, or even generally | | | | It's Ok, It's From A Friend. That's Got To Be |
| to computers, | | | | Safe, Hasn't It? |
| I have five tips to share with you around the | | | | That's a common assumption to make, but it isn't |
| subject of email,which, could help protect you | | | | always correct! |
| from having your computer actuallytaken over by | | | | This email might have been sent because your |
| a hacker, or from credit card fraud or | | | | friend has been theunwilling victim of a worm or |
| identitytheft. | | | | virus which blasts out emails toeveryone on their |
| Your Email Inbox | | | | contact list. Usually there would be anattachment, |
| A lot of people have their Outlook set up to list | | | | and the email header would be something like, |
| emails on oneside, while having an auto opening | | | | 'Hey Bro look at this', and it will look quite innocent. |
| reading pane on the other. | | | | If in doubt, check it out. Call them and be sure. |
| This is fine if you are hosting with a good | | | | However in truth, if you are using a good |
| company such as 1&1or some of the other | | | | anti-virus program,most will pick up these type of |
| top companies which provide a pre-inboxscreening | | | | emails quickly and quarantinethem for you. |
| service to delete threats, and you have a | | | | Read And Send Your Emails Using Plain Text |
| greatanti-virus program. However advice is it | | | | Email messages sent in html (Hyper Text Markup |
| should be turned off. | | | | Language), cancontain malicious code that can |
| Why? | | | | install into your computer. |
| Because the nastier side of human nature is | | | | Again a good anti-virus program can help counter |
| always developingnew threats, and the anti-virus | | | | this type ofthreat, but it is still a good idea to use |
| software is usually updatedafter a new threat | | | | plain text emailmessages where possible. |
| emerges. The email which has just landedin your | | | | If you are unfortunate enough to have one of |
| inbox could contain some new dangerous code, | | | | these damagingemails get through, opening it in |
| and yourcomputer has just automatically opened | | | | plain text will prevent themalicious code from |
| it for you. In addition,it is advisable to turn off | | | | installing. |
| auto picture downloading, as somespammers | | | | It's just another line of defense to consider. |
| monitor email addresses to see if there is a | | | | Use Common Sense |
| responsedownload of the attachment they send | | | | Someone famous once said that Common Sense |
| out, thus confirming thatthe spammed email | | | | is not all thatcommon, and we all are prone to |
| address is a valid one. | | | | lapses at times. All said itis still probably the best |
| Go to 'View/Reading Pane' in the Outlook Menu to | | | | defense to protect yourself when youare online |
| disable themessage viewing pane | | | | and using your email program. Be aware of |
| Go to 'Tools/Options/Security/Change Automatic | | | | whatthe email is asking. Don't write an email with |
| Download Settings'to disable the pictures | | | | informationyou wouldn't like everyone to know. |
| Look Carefully At Your Email | | | | Not only can email beintercepted, but what if you |
| Be careful what you respond to. Carefully check | | | | have addressed it wrongly bymistake? |
| the emailthoroughly before you do anything. Don't | | | | A little caution can keep you from becoming the |
| respond to emailspurporting to be from your | | | | next victim offraud or theft. |
| Credit Card Company, Bank, or other | | | | Remember the old adage, "Littlest said is soonest |
| Financial Company which ask for personally | | | | mended". |