| Computers have simplified millions of | | | | address, a logo or a brand that seems on the |
| people's lives. With the advent of online | | | | up-and-up, links to other sites etc. But |
| technology we can be more productive in the | | | | whoever is behind the scam is trying to get |
| office, organize household matters, and | | | | your financial info and rip off your |
| communicate with others around the globe. Do | | | | identity. Studies show that 5% of the people |
| you ever think it's all too good to be true? | | | | who receive these fake emails respond to the |
| Well, you'd be smart to question the overall | | | | "phisher." |
| ease and efficiency of the web. The sad truth | | | | |
| is, along with these perks there are a few | | | | Now that you know what these terms mean, how |
| major pitfalls. And if you aren't aware of | | | | can you avoid dealing with them? |
| them now, you may be in for a rude awakening. | | | | |
| | | | Clearly, the answer is with an expert email |
| So many people get excited about the | | | | security system. No doubt, new scams will be |
| wide-reaching possibilities of an email | | | | popping up before you know it. We haven't |
| system. Indeed, it is staggering to think | | | | even discussed the horrors of email "worms" |
| about how you can connect with someone on the | | | | and "viruses." |
| other side of the world with just a click of | | | | |
| a button. Unfortunately, however, sometimes | | | | What can be done? |
| by clicking the mouse you are doing more than | | | | |
| reaching out to a faraway friend. You may | | | | - Use a web host with a secure email system |
| also be inviting email viruses and scams into | | | | that will control spam, maintain your |
| your mailbox. | | | | privacy, and protect you from email viruses. |
| | | | A good web host believes that all individuals |
| What is spam anyway? | | | | have the right to send and receive secure |
| | | | emails around the clock. |
| Email spam is also called unsolicited bulk | | | | |
| email - like junk mail in your computer | | | | - The first step is to monitor the spam that |
| system. In other words, it is email that you | | | | comes into your email mailbox and then report |
| have not asked to receive. When we say "bulk | | | | any scams to the Anti-Spam League or the |
| email," we are usually referring to one | | | | Anti-Phishing Working Group. |
| message that is sent to more than 200 email | | | | |
| recipients at a time. | | | | - Be wary of any emails that ask you for your |
| | | | personal information, especially financial |
| How is spam targeted? | | | | details. Do not give out your credit card or |
| | | | bank account info unless you are on a secure |
| Basically, if you participate in any | | | | server. |
| newsgroups, forums, or post your email | | | | |
| address on a personal or professional | | | | - Be wary of email attachments. When in |
| website, you can be targeted for spam. A spam | | | | doubt, don't open them! |
| mailing list will be created by combing | | | | |
| electronic newsgroups and mailing lists, or | | | | - Make a point of checking your account |
| by conducting a broad address search online | | | | balances online to see if there are any |
| via "spambots" that roam the net collecting | | | | sudden withdrawals that you did not |
| email addresses. | | | | authorize. |
| | | | |
| What is phishing? | | | | - Use anti-virus software and be sure to |
| | | | update it regularly (such as Microsoft |
| Phishing is a relatively new form of email | | | | patches). |
| scam and it's a serious one. What it refers | | | | |
| to is an email that claims to be from a legit | | | | - Think about installing a web browser tool |
| corporation (like Citibank, PayPal, eBay | | | | bar that will alert you if a known spammer or |
| etc.), but it is really a spoof. Phishing can | | | | phisher is trying to reach you (such as |
| be tough to spot because it can look pretty | | | | Earthlink ScamBlocker or eBay's tool bar). |
| slick. The email will come with a return | | | | |