Day to Day Risks

For some reason, otherwise perfectly sensible people give away information over the internet they would never consider telling a perfect stranger face to face!

Dangers on the Internet

Even for someone using their common sense over the day to day risks, there are some risks specific to the internet.

Logout Every Time You Leave Your Computer

All the time your computer is on and logged on to the internet others can access your files.
You wouldn't go out and leave your front door open.

Protect your Email Address

Use different addresses for different purposes.There are several sources of free email addresses including Yahoo, Hotmail, and Google. Have separate addresses for different purposes, family and friends, shopping on line, Social Networking Sites, Chat Rooms etc. Only give any of your email addresses to people you don't know and trust.

Open with Care

Only open appropriate emails in each category - ie if someone you don't know emails you about a special deal on your family and friends address you know it's not for real.

Only open Attachments or Download from known and trusted sources,

Be on the Lookout

Your bank already knows your passwords; why should they be asking for them in an email.

Spelling mistakes always suggest a scam: be very wary.

Check the name of the website at the head of your Browser

Remember that scammers often use names similar to that of reputable websites.

Web Protection Programmes

Purchase and use a reliable and reputable web protection program like McAfee Internet Security or Norton Antivirus.

Most eMail handling programmes such as  Windows Mail have built in Spam protectors. Read up on how to use them.

Phishing

Remember most fraudsters are after

• Your email address
• your bank account or credit card details
• your passwords and other security details

Your bank will never ask you for these details - they know them already - reject and report any request to 'update your details', get their phone number from your account and check it up with a representative you know to be genuine. 

Secure Sites and Encription

Reputable sites handling on-line payments all employ Secure Sites

A secure site's title as seen in the link bar at the top of your screen starts https:// rather than http://. That little 's' makes all the difference when it comes to protecting your money.

Honest sites also encode your details

...so that no one can intercept your account number or password in transit. When they do that a small brass padlock appears either in the top bar or the bottom of the screen. It looks like this.

Unless you see both the 's' and the padlock do not give over any financial data - look for another supplier.