6. Learn what to do if something goes wrong.
(a) If a scammer takes advantage of you through an online auction, when you are shopping online or in any other way, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov. The FTC enters complaints related to the Internet, identity theft, and other fraud into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the US and abroad.
(b) If you receive deceptive spam, including email seeking your information, please forward it to “spam on uce.gov” (Replace “at” with the @ sign).
Be sure to include the full internet header of the email. In many email programs, the full “Internet header” is not automatically included in forwarded email messages, so you may need to take additional steps to include the complete information necessary to detect misleading pam.
(vs) If you believe you have mistakenly given your information to a scammer, file a complaint on the FTC website and then visit their Identity Theft website to learn how to minimize the risk of damage from potential identity theft.
7. Use antivirus software, firewalls, and antispyware software to help keep your computer safe and secure. Don’t be intimidated by the word “firewall”. You don’t need to fully understand how it works; just know what it does and why you need it. Firewalls help prevent hackers from using your computer to send your personal information without your permission. While antivirus software scans incoming email and files, a firewall is like a guard, watching out for external attempts to access your system and blocking communications to and from sources that you do not allow. Some spammers search the Internet for unprotected computers that they can monitor and use anonymously to send spam emails. They refer to them as “zombie computers”.
If you don’t have up-to-date virus protection and a firewall, spammers may try to install software that allows them to route email through your computer, often to thousands of recipients, so that it appears to come from your account. . If this happens, you may receive a large number of complaints from recipients and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may close your email account.
Some operating systems and hardware devices come with a built-in firewall that can be sent in “off” mode. Make sure to turn it on. For your firewall to be effective, you must configure it correctly and update it regularly. See the online “Help” feature for specific instructions.
8. Make sure you configure your operating system and web browser software correctly, and update them regularly. Hackers also take advantage of unsafe web browsers (such as Internet Explorer or Netscape) and operating system software (such as Windows or Linux). Reduce your risk by changing your browser or operating system settings and increasing your online security. See the “Tools” or “Options” menus for built-in security features. If you need help understanding your options, please use the “Help” function.
Your operating system may also offer free software patches that close holes in the system that hackers could exploit. In fact, some common operating systems can be configured to automatically retrieve and install patches. If your system doesn’t do this, bookmark your system manufacturer’s website so that you can visit regularly and update it with defenses against the latest attacks. Updating can be as simple as one click. Your email software can help you avoid viruses by giving you the ability to filter out certain types of spam. It is up to you to activate the filter. Also, consider using operating systems that allow automatic updates.
9. Subscribe to a managed security service. As the best form of protection available today, you get much more than just software. You get professional grade technology along with a team of security experts available to help with any security concerns. This level of protection has never been available to homes and small businesses until now, and with increasing threats, risks and attacks on online security, it is becoming the future of Internet security.
Although the Internet basically provides a positive and productive experience, cyberattacks against our privacy and personal security are reaching epidemic proportions. These attacks are happening in our own homes and businesses. Our own computers are being used as zombies to attack other people, companies, and even our own nation. As an average Internet user, you may not be aware of these threats and have no idea of the increasing risks you face when connecting to the Internet.
In an Internet safety protection and awareness campaign, my mission is to bring critical awareness to individuals, families, and small business owners, and provide access to the necessary tools and ongoing expertise to secure your computer and help you stay protected. .
I invite you to join the many thousands of people who have tested their computers, discovered that these threats are real, and have taken the necessary steps to protect themselves.
Now that you have learned of these issues, I encourage you to share this vital information with your families, friends, and communities. Together, we can reach many millions of people and inform them about threats to their privacy and security, and help them get the protection they desperately need.
Remind: When you say “No!” hackers and spyware, everyone wins! When you don’t, we all lose! © MMVII, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Educator and Internet Safety Advocate