What you should know about spam
Spam is mass-distributed, unsolicited e-mail and instant messaging advertising. Spam is very cheap for the sender to distribute, and a heavy burden to recipients and Internet service providers (ISPs). It can also be dangerous. Cyber-criminals use spam to deliver deceptive or fraudulent messages in the hopes of gaining access to your private information.
What you should do about spam
Reduce spam by following these tips.
- Set your e-mail filter. An e-mail filter and spam blocking software are absolutely critical. Set these security measures to update automatically to ensure that you are protected from the latest threats.
- NEVER reply to spam. Replying to spam, even to "unsubscribe," could set you up for more spam.
- Protect your e-mail address and instant message ID. If you must post this information online, set up two identities, one for real use and one for online activities.
- Be wary of e-mail attachments. Change the settings on your e-mail program so that images and attachments are not opened automatically. Only open attachments from users known to you.
- Watch out for phishing scams. Don't click on links in e-mails or instant messages unless the sender is known to you. Instead, open a separate web browser and visit the site directly.
- Create smart and strong passwords. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Never enter your personal information in a pop-up window.You may not be able to tell when a scammer has hijacked a seemingly legitimate site.
- Don't fill out online surveys, or register for contests or fan clubs. These may be fronts for spammers trying to collect your e-mail address.
Consumers Warned to Avoid Fake E-mails Tied to Bank Mergers
Online scammers are taking advantage of tough economic times. While e-mails phishing for sensitive data are nothing new, scammers are taking advantage of upheavals in the financial marketplace to confuse consumers into parting with valuable personal information.
The Federal Trade Commission urges caution regarding e-mails that look as if they come from a financial institution that recently acquired a consumer's bank, savings and loan, or mortgage. In fact, these messages may be from "phishers" looking to use personal information - account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers - to run up bills or commit other crimes in a consumer's name.
Consumers are warned not to take the bait. The FTC has advice about how to stay on guard against this type of scam. To learn more, see the consumer alert:Bank Failures, Mergers and Takeovers: A Phish-erman's Special.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.