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