Don’t Click on a Hyperlink within an Email Message
Scammers obfuscate links in email messages so that they appear to be legitimate websites, but they are not. Never click a link in an email message unless you are absolutely sure it is OK. It is easy to go to the link by copying the link and pasting in into your Web browser, or by typing the link address into your Web browser.
Remember, deception like this is the thief’s most powerful weapon. They make their living off deception, they're going to try and look as official as possible, so don't let them scare you into giving up any personal information, fear is the tool most commonly used to drive consumers into the identity thief’s trap.
Keep in mind when it comes to email messages, most real companies will address you by your real name, not a generic "Dear verified member" or something similar. This is one of the most simple and effective ways to spot a scam from a mile away and it requires no technical knowledge whatsoever!
Use Anti-Virus and Anti-Adware Software
Anti-virus software can protect you against viruses, worms and Trojan horses before they are installed on your computer. It's important to make sure your anti-virus software is kept up to date so you stay current with the latest threats. If your not running a firewall (explained below), and someone manages to exploit your computer and starts loading your computer up with Trojan horses, viruses and worms, an anti-virus program will stop them before the malware can run on your computer.
I use ESET NOD32 for anti-virus protection. There are many other good options. The important thing is to purchase from a reputable company. The hyperlink for ESET NOD32 is here:
http://www.nod32.com/home/home.htm
It is also important to use anti-adware or anti-spyware software. Spyware and adware allow others to monitor your computer usage and can also force advertisements on you—it is mostly about making money off of you. Sometimes this might be OK with you, like when you want a company you trust to let you know when they have something they think would interest you. But most spyware and adware will be very sneaky about how they get installed onto your computer. Even "experts" can be surprised to find that they have fallen victim to spyware and adware. Just visiting a website can make you vulnerable.
The most common place to acquire malware is through email messages, peer-to-peer file sharing networks and sneaky websites. It's also possible to get infected because you do not keep your computer up-to-date with the latest security updates and operating system patches. Hackers are constantly scanning the Internet looking for computers to hack into. The thieves among the hackers want to install malware. New scams and bugs appear every day. Stay up-to-date!
If you surf the Internet and notice you are now getting annoying pop up ads, this means you are infected with spyware or adware.
There are three good software options to control spyware and adware that are free. You can try Free Adware and Spyware Scan - Privacy Defender 3.0. It will remove all the latest known threats. Another good option is Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition. I use the professional version of this software. Finally, you might like Spybot Search and Destroy. This software was the best option when the spyware threat first became a serious problem and it continues to do a great job.
Here are the URLs if you would rather copy-and-paste than to click on the links above:
http://www.pcsecurityshield.com/webApp/90014a.asp?trk=WTK&affid=319
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html
Use a Personal Firewall
