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BASIC SECURITY INFORMATION
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Security is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
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- Install virus protection software and update it frequently because new viruses are unleashed every day. Anti-virus software and updates are available below.
- Install a firewall, especially if you have a broadband connection. Firewalls can be hardware or software-based. See more information below.
- Keep your software up to date. Microsoft security patches are available below. Check our Tech Support section for info from other manufacturers.
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Privacy Protection Hints
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Safeguarding your privacy begins with YOU! - Sharing personal information can invite spam, unsolicited mail and unwanted telephone calls. Many websites require you to register before permiting access to their content and services. Use caution and common sense before providing any personally identifiable information!
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- Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware!) - Never do business with, or provide personal information to, any company you do not KNOW and TRUST!
- Provide only the minimum information required for successful registration. Provide only information marked as "required." Never provide "optional" information.
- Use a "Junk e-mail" address - NEVER register using your personal e-mail address! Some registration processes do require a response from a working e-mail address, however, so set up and use a "junk" e-mail account for this purpose. Any unwanted e-mail will go there, rather than to your personal account. Free e-mail accounts are available from Yahoo!, Netscape, Hotmail and Mail.com.
- Opt Out - Wherever possible, opt out of advertising programs such as announcements, bulletins, newsletters, telephone solicitations and the sharing of information with third-parties. (CAUTION: Watch for options that default to "opt in"!)
- Fake it - Unless you plan to do business with a company, AND know and trust them, consider providing false or ambiguous information during registration. (e.g.: John Doe, 123 Abcde St, Anytown, AZ, zip 11111, phone 555-555-5555) Most sites allow you to edit your account information, so you can insert valid information later, if you are sure it is safe to do so. (NOTE: If you provide your real phone number to any company, you are granting them permission to call you, even if you are registered on the National Do Not Call List!)
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Virus Protection Basics
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- Install virus protection software and update it frequently because new viruses are unleashed every day! Anti-virus software and updates are available below.
- Never open any unexpected e-mail attachment, even if you know the sender! Many viruses are spread without the sender's knowledge!
- Scan all e-mail attachments before opening, even those from trusted sources!
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E-mail Virus Warnings, Chain Letters & Hoaxes
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- Never forward virus warnings unless you have personally verified they are true! (See "Fraud and Spam Prevention" section, below) - Many virus warnings are hoaxes, but they can generate panic and anxiety equal to that of a real virus attack. Worse, some messages offer "advice" that can actually harm your computer!
- Never forward chain letters, petitions or pleas for help! - Believe it or not, chain letters, jokes, motivational messages and (sadly) even prayer requests can threaten your privacy! Even well-intentioned messages can reveal e-mail address to junk mailers (spammers)!
- Respect privacy when sending or forwarding e-mail - Exposing the e-mail addresses of others is a violation of trust and is just plain rude. You wouldn't give away a friend's unlisted phone number, so please be just as protective of their e-mail address. Careless handing of e-mail can expose your friends to unwanted e-mail, spam, computer viruses or even fraud! This concern can be minimized by following these simple rules:
- Remove unnecessary e-mail addresses from the message text by deleting all previous message headers.
- Use the "BCC:" (Blind Carbon Copy) field instead of the "To:" or "CC:" fields. - If the "BCC" field is not visible, refer to your e-mail program instructions or "Help" menu. (Hint: If your e-mail program requires an address in the "To:" field, use your own e-mail address.)
Why use "BCC:"?
Addresses in the "BCC:" field are hidden from the other recipients, but addresses in the "To:" or "CC:" fields are visible to everybody who receives the message. You wouldn't give away your list of business contacts or attach your entire holiday card list to each card you send, right? "BCC:" avoids this situation.
Every time a message is forwarded, the e-mail addresses of all previous recipients are copied into the forwarded message! If you use the "To:" and/or "CC:" fields to send an e-mail to twenty people, each recipient will be able to see all twenty e-mail addresses! If each of the twenty recipients forwards the e-mail to twenty others, 400 people will see the e-mail addresses. If these recipients forward the e-mail to twenty more, 8,000 people will see them! Will all 8,000 respect your privacy?
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COMPUTER VIRUSES
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Real-Time Virus Alerts from Trend Micro™
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Virus Alerts
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Virus Protection Software
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Protect yourself! Always test downloaded files! - Several FREE anti-virus solutions are listed below. Trial versions of commercial anti-virus software are also available from Network Assoiciates, VCOM and Trend Micro.
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Virus Help and Information
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COMPUTER and NETWORK SECURITY
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Computer Security and Internet Safety
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Firewall Software
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Anti-virus software is great (and necessary), but your need for protection doesn't end there! If you have an "always on" Internet connection (cable modem, DSL, etc.), your computer is exposed to snoops and hackers every time you turn on your PC! A "firewall" helps protect your PC from hacker attacks by blocking unauthorized access from (and to) the Internet. If your cable/DSL modem has a built-in firewall, make sure it is turned on and properly configured (see your user manual). Several companies also offer excellent software firewall solutions. Although the "professional" versions of these products offer the best protection, FREE (for personal use) versions of the following firewalls are often adequate (and better than nothing). Links to several of these FREE firewalls are listed below.
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Other Security & Privacy Software
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- VisualZone - intrusion analyser and report utility, a FREE companion to ZoneAlarm (above)
- X-Cleaner - (FREE edition) Performs cookie cleaning, Internet cache cleaning, scans for many popular spy software packages and performs permanent file shredding! Small enough to fit on a diskette!
- Spybot Search and Destroy - [Mirror 1] [Mirror 2] - Remove SpyWare from your PC with this award-winning, FREE program!
- SpywareBlaster - blocks spyware, adware and ActiveX that may be browser hijackers or auto-dialers
- AdAware - another FREE SpyWare removal tool
- Spychecker - a great resource for FREE security and privacy software!
- OptOut - (FREE) detects known spyware entered and provides removal option
- Pop-Up Stopper - (FREE edition) stops most of those annoying pop-up ads! Couirtesy of PanicWare
- GuideScope - (FREE for home use) software to block annoying ads and protect your privacy
- Pretty Good Privacy - The king of e-mail encryption programs. The freeware version is more limited than the commercial version, but it works and it's free!
- More Spyware Prevention Info
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Microsoft Security Info
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Spyware Examples
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SpyWare is often disguised as a helpful program or utility, but it tracks your Web surfing habits or sends other personal information back to its originator!
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SPAM, TELEMARKETERS and UNWANTED MAIL
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Avoid Spam: Use a "Disposable" E-mail Address!
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- Mailinator - Need to register at a Web site, but don't want to give them your real e-mail address? Mailinator lets you create a temporary, disposable e-mail address! No registration, no passwords, no sweat!
- Sneakemail - Mail sent to your Sneakemail address is rerouted to your real address and your reply is rerouted back to the sender. Your real address is never seen.
- Spamgourmet - Give a different "disposable" email address to every business or web site, while getting all your email as before!
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Stop Spam: General Information
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- FBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center - Been scammed? Report it to the FBI!
- Internet ScamBusters - lots of info about Internet scams, hoaxes and Urban Legends
- Break The Chain - Learn why the only good chain letter is a trashed chain letter!
- HoaxKill - dedicated to telling as many people as possible not to forward useless petitions, urban legends and false virus warnings
- Stop Phishing and Email Scams - Phishing is the use of fake, but "official-looking" e-mail messages appearing to come from legitimate companies, in order to fool the recipients into divulging passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.
- JunkBusters - help for controlling intrusions by junk mail, junk E-mail (Spam) and telemarketers
- Private Citizen - an organization devoted to stopping spam, junk mail and telemarketer calls
- Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email - advocating for a legislative solution to the problem of spam
- Spam Laws - Get the latest info on legislation to curb spam!
- Summary of State Spam Laws - spells out the meaning of spam laws for each state in plain English
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Stop Telemarketers
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Stop Unwanted Mail
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- Mark it "Refused" - Per US Postal Service regulations, a piece of mail may be marked "Refused" and returned unopened to the post office (or mark it and put it back in the mailbox), if it is First-Class Mail or has an endorsement to return the piece. (If not, try it anyhow.) It's amazing how quickly your name is removed from mailing lists, once the mailers begin paying return postage fees!
- Contact the Direct Marketing Association - The DMA Website explains how to remove your name from many mail and telemarketing lists.
- Contact your post office to halt the receipt of unwanted obscene or pornographic materials
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