| rs, phishers, viruses, worms…simply having your | | | | – It’s logical to assume that a message |
| computer online can expose your data and personal | | | | from your friend or colleague is safe, but that |
| information to all kinds of malicious and worrisome | | | | isn’t always the case! If you receive an email |
| problems. If you’re somewhat new to the 'net' | | | | from a friend or colleague which contains an |
| or to computers in general, these four tips could help | | | | attachment (could be a media clip, a screensaver, a |
| protect you from identity theft, credit card fraud, or a | | | | picture or anything else), call them up to check and see |
| complete computer takeover – all of which can | | | | if they really did send it. Many viruses and worms can |
| happen without you even knowing about it! | | | | hijack your computer and blast out a virus-ridden email |
| 1. What’s in Your Inbox? – If your e-mail | | | | to everyone in your address book, making it appear |
| program allows you to preview the entire message | | | | that it came from you and therefore, making it appear |
| before or while it is being downloaded, turn this setting | | | | trustworthy. |
| off. Some e-mails can contain dangerous code that | | | | 4. Read Your Messages in Plain Text – Some |
| could unknowingly compromise your computer and | | | | e-mails written in HTML (the coding language that |
| leave you vulnerable to viruses, worms or worse! | | | | makes up many web pages) can be harmless. Others |
| Check the options in your e-mail program for a way to | | | | can contain malicious code that can hijack your e-mail |
| disable the message preview pane. | | | | program, browser, or your entire computer – and |
| 2. Scrutinize Your Messages – Don’t | | | | send your personal and financial information out to a |
| ever respond to messages claiming to be from your | | | | hacker or scammer without you even knowing about |
| bank, credit card company, or other financial institution, | | | | it! Stay safe by setting your e-mail program to only |
| which ask for personally identifiable information such | | | | show messages in plain text format (often in the |
| as card or account numbers, passwords, or other | | | | options or settings section of the software). This will |
| private information – even if the e-mail looks to | | | | prevent threatening code from installing itself and |
| have come from the actual company. It may be a | | | | compromising your system and private information. |
| hoax designed to get you to unknowingly part with | | | | Possibly one of the best ways to protect your e-mail |
| crucial financial or private contact information, leaving | | | | is simply by exercising common sense. The Internet is |
| you vulnerable to credit card fraud, identity theft or | | | | a lot like a crowded plaza. Would your banker or credit |
| credit card theft. Contact the institution or company | | | | card lender walk out into the middle of the throng of |
| that claims to be sending the e-mail and verify the | | | | people and shout out to you to ask for your account |
| contents of the message with them. Chances are | | | | information? Would you tell him where everyone could |
| – they never sent it. Only use the number on | | | | hear? Definitely not! The same caution should be |
| your statement though, and not the number that | | | | exercised when checking your e-mail. These tips can |
| appears in the e-mail message. It may direct you right | | | | help you stop scammers dead in their tracks while |
| to the scammer, who will do everything they can to | | | | keeping you from becoming another victim of fraud or |
| assure you that nothing is wrong! | | | | theft. |
| 3. If it’s From a Friend, it must be Safe, Right? | | | | |