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Resources

Microsoft Online Safety
Information and tools from Microsoft.

Examples of Fraudulent Email
Chase Bank has examples of emails that try to trick the recipients into giving out confidential information.

Fake Antivirus and "scareware"
Watch out for fake virus alerts.

OnGuardOnline.gov
Provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.

Five Ways to Keep Online Criminals at Bay
Article from the New York Times.

PC Magazine Security Software Reviews

Creating a password
Advice for creating a strong password that you can remember.

Securing your browser
Learn about what the security settings in your browser do and how to use them.

Mozilla Plug-in Check
Find out what plug-ins you have and whether they need to be updated.

How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi Networks

 
 

Unsafe passwords

Here are the top 10 most common user passwords collected from a hacked website. First names, like "Nicole" and "michael", made the top 20.

123456
12345
123456789
Password
iloveyou
princess
rockyou
1234567
12345678
abc123

Read more at SmartPlanet.

 

Computer Services

computer

Computer Class: Safe Surfing

Phishing

Phishing is when someone asks, or fishes, for personal information. They might ask you to reply to an email, call a phone number or visit a website. The best protection is to be suspicious of unsolicited emails, pop-up windows and individuals in chat sessions who ask for usernames, passwords, credit cards numbers, social security numbers or other sensitive information that can be used for identity theft.

A common phishing scam is to send an email pretending to be from a bank and asking you to update, validate, verify or confirm account information before your account is closed. They direct you to login into a website that looks like it belongs to the bank. These fake sites can be quite convincing. Any information you enter is collected by the scammers.

Spyware, viruses and other malware

There are many forms of these harmful programs. Some collect and send personal information to identity thieves, some turn your computer into a spam relay, others may simply destroy your files. Your internet service provider (Comcast/xfinity, AT&T, etc) might have free anti-virus or security software. If not, purchase your own or use Microsoft's free Security Essentials.

Don't get conned
  • Do not give out personal information over email! That includes: usernames, passwords, account information, social security numbers and the like.
  • Do not think that because a communication or website looks official, it must be safe.
  • Do not click on links or call phone numbers in suspicious email.
  • Do contact the person or business through a phone number or saved link you normally use.
Password protection
  • Do not use real words, personal information, default passwords, sequential or repeated numbers for a password.
  • Do mix uppercase and lowercase letters, characters and numbers if possible.
Keep your computer healthy
  • Do not ever click on pop-up links offering to protect you against spyware or viruses.
  • Do not download anything from unfamiliar websites.
  • Do not open email attachments that you weren't expecting, even if they're from people you know. Viruses can be hidden in email attachments disguised as pictures or links.
  • Install all the security patches for your operating system.
  • Use up to date anti-virus software. Viruses are always changing!
  • Make sure your web browser and plug-ins (like Flash) are current.