| Computers have simplified millions of people's lives. | | | | Phishing can be tough to spot because it can look |
| With the advent of online technology we can be | | | | pretty slick. The email will come with a return |
| more productive in the office, organize household | | | | address, a logo or a brand that seems on the |
| matters, and communicate with others around | | | | up-and-up, links to other sites etc. But whoever is |
| the globe. Do you ever think it's all too good to be | | | | behind the scam is trying to get your financial info |
| true? Well, you'd be smart to question the overall | | | | and rip off your identity. Studies show that 5% of |
| ease and efficiency of the web. The sad truth is, | | | | the people who receive these fake emails |
| along with these perks there are a few major | | | | respond to the "phisher." |
| pitfalls. And if you aren't aware of them now, you | | | | Now that you know what these terms mean, |
| may be in for a rude awakening. | | | | how can you avoid dealing with them? |
| So many people get excited about the | | | | Clearly, the answer is with an expert email |
| wide-reaching possibilities of an email system. | | | | security system. No doubt, new scams will be |
| Indeed, it is staggering to think about how you | | | | popping up before you know it. We haven't even |
| can connect with someone on the other side of | | | | discussed the horrors of email "worms" and |
| the world with just a click of a button. | | | | "viruses." |
| Unfortunately, however, sometimes by clicking | | | | What can be done? |
| the mouse you are doing more than reaching out | | | | -Use a web host with a secure email system that |
| to a faraway friend. You may also be inviting | | | | will control spam, maintain your privacy, and |
| email viruses and scams into your mailbox. | | | | protect you from email viruses. A good web host |
| What is spam anyway? | | | | believes that all individuals have the right to send |
| Email spam is also called unsolicited bulk email - like | | | | and receive secure emails around the clock. |
| junk mail in your computer system. In other | | | | -The first step is to monitor the spam that |
| words, it is email that you have not asked to | | | | comes into your email mailbox and then report |
| receive. When we say "bulk email," we are usually | | | | any scams to the Anti-Spam League or the |
| referring to one message that is sent to more | | | | Anti-Phishing Working Group. |
| than 200 email recipients at a time. | | | | -Be wary of any emails that ask you for your |
| How is spam targeted? | | | | personal information, especially financial details. Do |
| Basically, if you participate in any newsgroups, | | | | not give out your credit card or bank account info |
| forums, or post your email address on a personal | | | | unless you are on a secure server. |
| or professional website, you can be targeted for | | | | -Be wary of email attachments. When in doubt, |
| spam. A spam mailing list will be created by | | | | don't open them! |
| combing electronic newsgroups and mailing lists, or | | | | -Make a point of checking your account balances |
| by conducting a broad address search online via | | | | online to see if there are any sudden withdrawals |
| "spambots" that roam the net collecting email | | | | that you did not authorize. |
| addresses. | | | | -Use anti-virus software and be sure to update it |
| What is phishing? | | | | regularly (such as Microsoft patches). |
| Phishing is a relatively new form of email scam | | | | -Think about installing a web browser tool bar that |
| and it's a serious one. What it refers to is an email | | | | will alert you if a known spammer or phisher is |
| that claims to be from a legit corporation (like | | | | trying to reach you (such as Earthlink |
| Citibank, PayPal, eBay etc.), but it is really a spoof. | | | | ScamBlocker or eBay's tool bar). |