5. Passwords. Never use easy to guess passwords like your favorite color, your social security number, your birthdate, words less than six characters. Mix up passwords with combinations of numbers and symbols.

6.Virus Warnings. Don't forward virus warnings you receive in emails. It's not your job to warn others. And you might be circulating a fake warning designed to scare receivers into downloading trojans or removing important files on their computer.

7. Keep It Secret. Don't give your password to anyone. Be wary of emails asking you to give out your personal passwords for accounts online. Or emails asking you to click a link and enter your password on site. This site might be a fake sent by hackers "phishing" for victims.

8. Primary Email Address. Don't divulge your primary email address on unfamiliar sites. You might be bombarded with unsolicited emails by marketers who sell your address to third parties online.

9. Free Accounts Set up several free email accounts with a psuedo name to handle spam, when you register with unfamiliar sites, or to use on chat and message boards.

10. Chat Line And Message Board Warnings. Don't release personal information on chat lines or message boards. This is one way many identity thefts occur.

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BB Lee is Editor of SmallBizBits News. Visit: http://www.smallbizbitsnews.com Subscribe Now! Receive A Free Ad in newsletter! mailto:Smallbiz-subscribe@topica.com