How To Be Safe Online

WARNING!!!! Someone is spoofing my domain name to send out emails with attachments or giving you a website link to click on. Spoofing means that the sender of the email deliberately disguises the address to appear to come from someone else. DO NOT OPEN THE ATTACHMENTS as they may contain a virus. DO NOT GO TO THE WEBSITE as the site may start installing something you will not want on your computer or be "phishing" for your private information.

These emails are not coming from me. The addresses being used are not real, but are random names placed in front of my domain name. Most emails I send out from my domain are replies to emails sent to me. I do not send attachments unless it is something you specifically request.

Most of the current threats to our computers, either in email or on websites, are coming from criminals. These people either want to take over our computers to become part of their zombie network and/or steal our private information.

To keep your computer safe:

• Make sure that your antivirus program is updated regularly, as some bozo is always out there creating a new one. If you don't have antivirus software, install some ASAP.
• DO NOT OPEN ANY EMAIL ATTACHMENT UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS. Even if your very best friend sends an attachment, don't open it until you know what it is. It may really be from someone else's computer spoofing your friend's address.
• Establish a policy with your friends to send a separate email to let the other person know that you are sending an attachment that is safe to open.
• Do not click on links in emails unless you are very sure of the email. The bad guys have become very good at setting up counterfeit sites that can look like your bank's site, Paypal, Ebay, and other business sites. If you get an email about some change in your account, always type in the URL you normally use yourself rather than use the link in the email. Or use the phone. My bank puts a warning on the homepage if there is a current fraudulent email circulating.
• Beware of sites that offer free goodies, such as smilies and screensavers. These often come with a hidden package of spyware or worse.
• Be very selective when deciding to whom you give your private information. Beware of emails with a link to a site that asks for this information.
• If you have children and teenagers using the computer, be sure they are aware of the dangers. The bad guys often use sites that appeal to these age groups because they are generally more trusting and like to download things.
• If you or other family members use IM or visit chatrooms, beware of any links you may be receiving through those channels.
• Keep your computer's operating system (OS) updated. Users of Windows should be sure you get the updates each month.
• Upgrade to the newest version of your browser.
• Check for updates for any plugins you use on your computer, especially if they help you with web content: Adobe Flash, RealPlayer, Adobe Reader, etc. Many of these can be set to check for updates automatically.
• Consider installing software that helps protect you against these threats.
  
  
  • McAfee SiteAdvisor is available for IE and Firefox in both a free and paid version.
  • Ad Aware from Lavasoft
  • Spybot Search and Destroy
  • The newest versions of many firewall/antivirus suites are also including protection for spyware and phishing sites.

The criminals who are behind most of these attempts are always working on new ways to gain access to our computers. You have to keep educating yourself in the best ways to defend your computer.