How to Avoid Bad E-guys

When the first email was sent in 1970, security was not part of the equation—ease of transmission was. The very thing that makes email operate so easily is also what makes it so vulnerable. Scammers spend most of their time trying to figure out how to use your email against you. Spam, viruses and Internet scams will never go away, but there are ways to protect yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide if you want managed service or in-house protection. If you choose managed service a large part of your company will be in the hands of strangers.
2. Allocate a place on your hard drive where you can send messages that you don't want. This place will be called your junk room.
3. Create a junk email account so you can surf without worry on the Internet. You can use this junk email account to register at websites, join chat groups and have information sent to you via the web.
4. Interview IT management services to see if they can meet your company's needs. Headhunters are companies who will scout IT professionals for you if you want to place your IT needs in-house.
5. Choose the software that will best fit your needs. There are many available and their functions are similar.
6. Prepare for constant attack from bad e-guys. They are at work while you sleep.

Tips & Warnings

• Investigate thoroughly any company you hire to manage your company's IT.
• Protect yourself like you are being attacked. The best defense is a good offense.