LA1PICARA

To Prevent Being Victimized By Fraud, Take The Following Steps:

1) Make sure your computer firewall is always turned on and your operating system, applications, and antivirus software are updated regularly.

2)Regularly back up your files, and store the copies safely.

3)Use common sense. Do not be quick to trust information on the internet. Proverbs 14:15 says: "Anyone inexperience puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps."

4)Do not be greedy.(Luke 12:15) Beware of "free" offers or Web sites that sell products at extremely low prices. It could be phishing bait.

5)Beware of unsolicited e-mails or instant messages, especially if they contain links or ask for personal information, such as verification of a password. - Proverbs 11:15.

6)Choose passwords that are difficult for others to guess. Change your Internet passwords periodically, and do not use the same password for different accounts.

7)Provide your credit card or banking information only to reputable and secure Web sites.

8)Make sure you type Web addresses accurately, especially for financial institutions. One spelling mistake might redirect you to a fraudulent Web site.

9)Use encrypted connections to transmit sensitive data, such as credit card details, and log off the Web site when you have finished.

10)Review transactions on your credit card and bank statements carefully and frequently. As soon as you spot an unfamiliar transaction, contact the company immediately.

11)Be careful when using unsecured wireless (Wi-Fi) connections, as thieves can steal information and redirect you to fraudulent Web sites.

12) Say no to the question "Remember this password?" Trojan programs can harvest your stored passwords.

hingola

Above all, please don't reply to offers from unknown agencies. All the precautions won't do any good if you simply hand over details of your account to anyone who asks.

9amstart

And the most important one: 0) don't run Windows.

You can also run a live CD for sensitive things (eg. banking) which, since it's run from a read-only medium, is immune to all malware.

Je t'aime

lol I change my passwords so much.. I think I have a huge list of it somewhere in my room.
Thank you for this useful information..I hope everyone is following it.

shallnotbebugged

Instead of writing down passwords you can use a program like LastPass to store them safely - as long as you don't forget the master password.

Iluvmc10

I just had some virus called zero access. It was a pain and took some of my info.

hingola

But have a backup hard copy. If for some reason you have to use another PC or your files/drive is corrupted, then you wont be able to get at the passwords.

JoWinchester

Has anyone mentioned the AMMY phone scam thats been going round yet?

I doubt it's relevant to this post specifically, but it is a security threat?

hingola

Scams are always security threats because it will allow the scamsters to get your private info. But it suceeds because the victim willingly falls in their trap. So it is not always the same as computer fraud which can be without the victim's knowledge.

hksg

Use Linux. Does the trick pretty well.