| These days email is a necessary part of | | | | Email content and subject lines can be your |
| communication. However, this also means that | | | | clue to phishing. Instead of using your name |
| email is one of the most popular ways for a | | | | the subject line might say something like "To |
| virus to infect your computer. You need to | | | | our valued customer". It isn't hard to find |
| protect yourself from the threat of fraud and | | | | some variant for personal names so be on the |
| infection. | | | | alert. |
| | | | |
| Viruses | | | | Less of clue to phishing is when a link is |
| | | | included that has nothing to do with the text |
| Email attachments often contain viruses so | | | | in the email. You can verify this by |
| you need to be careful whenever you open any | | | | highlighting the link and paying attention to |
| type of attachment even if you know the | | | | the status bar. For example, if the email |
| sender. There are some viruses that can | | | | text is something about Microsoft, and the |
| infiltrate your address book and then send | | | | URL is you have a good clue that the message |
| email that is infected to everyone on your | | | | you've received isn't really from Microsoft. |
| list. This means that you can get a virus | | | | |
| from a colleague or a friend. The best thing | | | | There is software that can detect whether |
| to do is to communicate with the sender so | | | | phishing is occurring. Even though this |
| that you know you are expecting an | | | | software isn't fully mature yet it can at |
| attachment. | | | | least identify if an email is fraud. Whenever |
| | | | you are asked for your credit card number or |
| Software for virus protection is your best | | | | a password you should be suspicious. Always |
| bet against viruses. This software will scan | | | | keep in mind that no legitimate banking |
| all your email attachments when they are | | | | institution will ask you to give personal |
| received on your computer. All computers that | | | | information or to verify any passwords in the |
| have Internet access will need to have | | | | content of an email. |
| antivirus software so that all systems are | | | | |
| protected as one big whole. There are some | | | | E-mail Backups |
| viruses that will start with one computer | | | | |
| system and then spread to the rest of the | | | | Your email, just like other data on your |
| network, eventually encompassing all the | | | | computer, should always be backed up. Most |
| hardware that is needed to access the | | | | email programs will be easy to back up. All |
| Internet. | | | | you need to do is export your email messages |
| | | | to a selected folder and then do a backup on |
| Phishing | | | | this folder. You can use a backup program and |
| | | | put your email onto a writeable CD, DVD, |
| Email can lead to fraud, which is yet another | | | | removable disk, or any other type of media. |
| type of security risk. Phishing, is one type | | | | |
| of fraud that will try to trick you into | | | | You also have the option of buying backup |
| giving out personal passwords or banking | | | | software that is specialized for backing up |
| information. This type of email will use the | | | | email. This software is moderately priced and |
| logo from a well known banking institution or | | | | eliminates the need to export your email to a |
| online business after which they will ask you | | | | folder. |
| to update your banking information or your | | | | |
| password. | | | | You can automate most backup software so that |
| | | | backups happen at a time that is convenient |
| Phishing provides a link that looks as though | | | | without you having to lend a hand. You'll |
| it is legitimate but that in fact will lead | | | | have to find time in your busy schedule to |
| you to a false website. If you provide them | | | | configure this type of software. However, |
| with personal information you become a victim | | | | you'll be no more busy doing the configuring |
| of theft or fraud on your credit card. This | | | | as you would be if you need to replace an |
| is also known as "identity theft". | | | | email that you needed. |
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