2. SafeSpaceOnline
There are many people out there that
have DSL or cable connections that
don't have proper firewalls or up to date
antivirus programs in place. Too many
think it just came with the computer.
This can create a breach and your
privacy violated. The General
Accounting Office now puts identity theft
at 750,000 victims a year. Victims
spend an average of 175 painstaking
hours to undo the damage.
3. SafeSpaceOnline
There are things you can do to protect yourself
especially regarding your computer. First and
foremost, don't store your personal
information on your computer. Someone
harvesting that kind of information can literally
go through thousands of computers in the hour
you spend watching your favorite television
program. Virus' can infect your system and
relay that information in alot less time. Make
sure your firewalls and anit-virus software is
up to date. If you don't have them - get them.
You don't have to be the most tech savy
person to do it either. For the average user,
you can find security information, news and
products presented in plain language at
quantum-links.com http://www.quantum-
links.com to keep yourself and your computer
running current and up to date.
4. SafeSpaceOnline
Beware people who come asking for your
personal information. This is becoming
commonly known as PHISH. Services you
already have do not email you asking for you
to resubmit your information. PayPal had some
of it's customers caught in this net recently
and had to issue an email telling them not to
respond. Instead of replying with your
information, email them back asking for a
telephone number by which to contact them
directly. It is doubtful that they will respond
with one. If they do, you can check out the
number in a number of ways to make sure it's
for real. One way is to use the reverse listings
available on many search engines. My favorite
is http://www.refdesk.com>.
5. SafeSpaceOnline
Check your credit report at least once a year. Have a fraud
alert put on your accounts. This is a flag that asks creditors to
contact you before opening any new accounts. This may
impede opening instant accounts. But, the security seems well
worth the inconvenience. You can also order credit watch
services from them that contact you when there is unusual
activity. Here are links to the big three:
Equifax Credit Information Services,Inc. Experian Information
Solutions, Inc. TransUnion
6. SafeSpaceOnline
You can also contact your financial institutions and ask about
their information opt out programs. This takes you off any lists
that they sell or trade. Especially do this with any accounts
that you do online transactions with.
Another good way to shield your privacy is to contact the
Direct Marketing Association in New York to opt out of their
member's lists. Use the links to find out how to opt out of each
type: Email Telemarketing Regular Mail
This was just a short plain primer on protecting yourself. There
are other options out there as well. If you stop and think, the
time you spend on prevention will most likely be a lot less
than any spent on repairing damage. Your brain and your
computer aren't all that different.
The average person only uses about 10% of either. Tweak the
10% you use.
7. Read more at SafeSpaceOnline.com
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