How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off Online

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes of the century. You need to ensure your computer is thoroughly protected to prevent criminals from stealing your personal information and gaining access your online accounts. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Most of the time, protecting yourself from online fraud is easy. Spending just a few minutes installing basic security software can protect you from almost all known threats.
2. Frequently update your anti-virus files. New viruses are constantly cropping up. Download or purchase new software to make sure you have the most current protection. Most viruses can be contained and destroyed by anyone with up-to-date anti-virus files. If you don't have anti-virus software with current virus definitions installed, you are vulnerable to security threats and intruders.
3. Install a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your computer by hackers. Firewalls close entry points (called open ports) to intruders. Even if you use a dial-up connection to get online, a firewall can help you detect and prevent people from logging onto your computer, stealing files or using your computer to break into others.
4. Only use secure sites and only give sensitive data such as credit card details, social security numbers and important passwords over a secure connection. A little yellow lock appearing in the lower part of your browser indicates a secure connection; you are connected directly to this particular website and only you and that website should be able to read the data you provide.
5. If you log on to your email at any remote computer (such as pc’s at libraries and cafes), computer key-stroking viruses may be present. Rarely access personal information on computers such as these. Everything you type into the computer could be logged and used by someone else.
6. Change passwords frequently and make sure they are combinations of letters AND numbers. An easy way for you to protect your sensitive data and email is to change your passwords at least monthly.

Tips & Warnings

• You can take a free test of your computer's security by logging on to http://www.symantec.com/securitycheck.
• Use firewalls even if you have a simple dial-up connection.

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