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~ Question email messages from any official sounding financial institution. You can always verify their contact, by contacting
institution itself. When in doubt, use your telephone and not your mouse. A quick call can determine if an email request was legitimate.
~ Stay alert to your own financial status. Carefully check your banking, credit card and other statements regularly.
~ Closely monitor your credit history to ensure that all transactions in my name and under your credit card number are legitimate.
~ Consider signing-up for a personal credit monitoring services.
~ Install firewall software on your computer or a firewall in your network router.
~ Use a password to protect your wireless networks.
~ Avoid storing sensitive data on all laptop computers. Wireless laptop computers are particularly vulnerable and should always have security passwords and firewalls in place. Use encryption products to secure data on all computers.
~ Pay attention to your children's online usage. Children like to download free games, screensavers, etc. and may share more information then they should to get it.
~ Protect your paper. Shred anything with personally identifying information on it before tossing it out.
~ Choose carefully where and when to opt-in to mailing lists, promotions, or other freebies. If in doubt, post a “throw-away” email address (one you do not use as your main email address) or your email address scripted (i.e. – yournameatprovider.com).
~ Only opt-in to promotions or deals after checking what will be done with information that you provide.
Websites That You Can Trust To Help
•Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com) •Spybot (www.security.kolla.de) •CWshredder (www.spywareinfo.com/merijn/index.html) •WinTask, Manages Resources and Improves Security (www.onlinesoftwareguide.com/wintask) •download of Ad-aware and Spybot Search & Destroy (www.download.com) •Spyware information tools, tips, and vendor for Trend Micro software (www.housecall.trendmicro.com) •McAfee anti-virus and anti-spyware software (www.mcafee.com) •Windows security patches and spyware protection information (www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses) •Virus and spyware scans (www.pcpitstop.com) •Lists software that may spread spyware (www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm) •Norton spyware information (www.symantec.com/avcenter/) •Spy Sweeper anti-spyware (www.webroot.com) •Zonelabs firewall (www.zonelabs.com)
If you're victimized, place a fraud alert on your credit file at major credit bureaus:
Equifax, [800] 525-6285 Experian, [888] 397-3742 TransUnion, [800] 680-7289
You may also request to view your credit reports for fraudulent activity.
Lastly, if you are a victim of fraudulent activity, online or off, file a police report so that it is on record and keep a report copy as proof.
Copyright Steven Presar
Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology coach, Internet publisher, author, speaker, and trainer. He provides personal, home, and computer security solutions at www.ProtectionConnect.com. He provides business software reviews at www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he publishes articles for starting and running a small business at www.Agora-Business-Center.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO newsletter at this site.
