- Don't respond to any suspicious e-mails requesting personal information.
If you have questions about the e-mail, call the company who sent it, phone them and use the phone number provided by them from a statement or from the telephone directory.
Don't use the number provided in the e-mail - it's most likely fraudulent. - Be suspicious of e-mails requesting you to update your account information - Don't do it!
Watch for Phishing emails which often try to get your attention by telling you that there's a problem with your account. Be very careful....they look genuine....but they're fraudulent. - Don't send personal or confidential information using e-mail, it's not that sercure.
- If you want to access your personal information at your bank, stockbroker, financial institution, etc using the web......
Type the address in the web address bar, don't use a link from an e-mail. - When ever you transmit personal data online, make sure the website is sucure.
You will see a lock icon on the bottom of the screen if it's a secure site.
The web address will begin with https:/ rather than http:/
You can see examples HERE - Try not to store financial and personal information on your laptop.
- Maintain up-to-date antivirus and antispyware programs on your computer.
Update and run them regularly.
Keep up on your Windows critical updates - they're very important. - Make sure you have a good firewall on your computer - not just the one that came with Windows....it's not sufficient.
A good firewall stops incoming and out going traffic. - Please consider using FireFox instead of Internet Explorer. A more secure browser! Easy to make the change!
FireFox Tutorial - Don't download files (attachments) or click on links in e-mails from people you don't know and be very careful when you do from people you do know - check with the person first and scan the file with your antivirus before opening it.
My rule is don't open attachments period! - Don't use automatic log-in features that saves your user name and password.
Always "log off" after you're done on sites that require you to log in with a user name and password. - Don't use public internet-access computers in libraries, cafes, hotels and other public places to conduct personal or financial business.
- Finally, don't store passwords on your computer.......turn off "auto-complete for passwords" and "save passwords" in your browser
MrC