Staying Safe on the Internet

At Strategic Finacial we take security very seriously. We are also looking forward to passing on some of the expert advice that we get from our support team.

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Improve security when you browse and e-mail

4 steps to help ward off Internet attackers Published: March 31, 2006

Scam artists and virus writers can take advantage of low security settings in your e-mail and Web browsing software to infect your computer. You can help limit your chances of being attacked when you:

• use a firewall,
• update your computer,
• use antivirus software,
• and use antispyware software.

Read on for more tips on how to improve your security when you browse the Web or send e-mail.

Upgrade or update your computer to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)

If you have Windows XP, visit Windows Update to download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). If your computer doesn't run Windows XP, consider upgrading to a computer that does. The enhanced security features in Windows XP SP2 can help protect you from many Internet threats.

Use antispyware software

Spyware is a general term used for software that might send you advertising, collect your personal information, or change the configuration of your computer without your consent. To help prevent and remove spyware, use an automated antispyware product. An example is Windows Defender (Beta 2), a free program that scans your computer and helps you get rid of spyware.

Learn to avoid phishing scams

Phishing is a deceptive practice that is designed to steal your identity. Scam artists "phish" to persuade people to disclose sensitive information through e-mail or Web sites.

To help protect yourself against phishing scams, make it a rule never to reveal personal or financial information in a response to an e-mail request, no matter who appears to have sent it. Also, report suspicious e-mail to the company through a link on their Web site, not through a link in the e-mail you received. For more information about how to protect yourself from phishing scams, see this Microsoft article about : The dos and don'ts of dealing with suspicious e-mail.

Be careful with e-mail and instant message (IM) attachments

Never open an attachment in an e-mail message or an instant message (IM) from an e-mail address you don't know. And even if the message comes from someone you do know, open the attachment only if you were expecting it. If you do open the attachment, you might be a victim of a virus that's designed to spread through e-mail or IM.

Passwords

• Never share your password.
• Clear your browser cache to clear out old web pages content.
• Do not leave your computer when logged into a secure website.
• Be careful when logging into your accounts on public computers, internet cafes. There is always a possibility that the foreign computer is tracking you keystrokes.
• If you think your password has been compromised have the site administrators change your password.
• Every 6 months to a year - change your passwords.
• Did we mention...never share your password?

.Provided courtesy of Strategic Finacial.