Don't be a Dork - Protect Yourself



Get Advice from Take our Word.com on take-our-word.com. Don't be a Dork - Protect Yourself topic will increase your understanding on Advice from Take our Word.com. We at take-our-word.com only provide news, articles, information in Advice from Take our Word.com. Advice from Take our Word.com at take-our-word.com provides the most up to date news and articles. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

There are folks out there who use their powers for evil, not good. Let’s not give them the opportunity to sneak into our lives and wreak havoc. Submitted for your reading pleasure are some of my tips to protect yourself and your identity.

Gone Phishin’
When I was a wee lass, my Grandpa George would take me to the pond on a warm Saturday afternoon and we’d fish for hours. Unfortunately, this type of Phishing has nothing to do with warm fuzzy memories of my Grandfather.

Phishing (sounds just like fishing) usually arrives in your inbox in the form of a spoofed e-mail message. It sure looks legit, huh? Well, it’s not. Phishers blast e-mail messages in the hopes you’ll take the bait and click the links, which will redirect you to a fake website. What do they want? Your account numbers, PIN numbers, SSNs: anything they can use to gain entry to bank and brokerage accounts and other financial information.

Remember, your brokerage, bank, credit union and credit card provider will never ask for this information via e-mail. They will never ask you to login to your account to confirm information.

If you feel you’ve been phished, do not access the links included in the e-mail. Also, reporting the phishing to your ISP and the Anti-Phishing Working Group (http://www.antiphishing.org/).

The Paper Trail – Snatch that Receipt
I bet you’re the type to leave the receipt at the gas pump and at the ATM when you make that late night deposit. Smack on the hand and shame on you – stop doing that! Take ALL receipts when you make a purchase or a deposit, when you return items, etc. When you go to the clothing store, take the receipt out of the bag and place it in your wallet.

Save all receipts until you receive your end-of-month statements (see Two Dollars below). Also, don’t throw away your receipts; see my notes on shredding

It’s … Like … Magic!
Pet Peeve: Folks who use cheesy passwords to protect their online accounts – you people make me crazy! I recently hired a client and I’m managing several e-mail accounts for him. Guess what password he used for ALL of them? You guessed it: magic. I immediately changed the passwords on all of the accounts and then we had a chat.

You should never use a word you can find in a dictionary as your password. You should never use your birthday, the names of your wife or children or dog as passwords. Use a combination of letters and numbers and where possible, add special characters such as a bang (!) to your password. Also, change your passwords frequently, such as once a quarter or every six months.

What’s the “S” for, Anyway?
Ever notice certain website changes when you’re making online purchases? There’s an “s” which appears after HTTP, for starters. This let’s you know you’re on a secure server. Also, check the status bar on the window you’re using to make the purchase. You should see a yellow padlock -- mouse over the lock and you’ll see the encryption level for the site.

If you don’t see both of these items, do not make the purchase right now and notify the vendor. Go back and make the purchase at a later time.

I Didn’t Charge Two Dollars
Every month, without fail, I want to you check your statements from your credit union, bank, brokerage, credit card companies -- any institution from which you receive a paper statement or an online statement. If the bad guys have access to your account, they may try and slip in a small charge before coming with the big guns. Take a look at each and every line item and verify you’ve made the purchase. If something is amiss, call that institution immediately.

The Joy of Shredding
I have a special “shred” basket near my desk and shred all of the basket’s contents at the end of the work day. My personal receipts, which I no longer need and have reconciled against my online statements, get shredded. All working documents I’ve printed or proofed, especially for my attorney clients, are blitzed at the end of day as well. Anything which may personally identify me or one of my clients gets the treatment.

You have no logical excuse for not owning a shredder. Price? Hardly an issue. You don’t have a car to get to the office supply store? If you’re reading this article that means you’ve got internet access. Start a new browser window NOW and access your favorite online office supply vendor. You’ll have your new shredder in a matter of days and you too can become a Shredder Queen (or King).

We live in a different world from just a generation ago. Be smart, be aware and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it is.



Type At Home - Converts All Traffic Ez. - www.type-at-home.com/affiliates.html - Stop wasting your time for Tiny Profits! Try it and See for Yourself!
Go Up Strong! - Increase Your Vertical and Teach Yourself to Dunk in a Matter of Days using this Revolutionary New System!


Article Index: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57


Advice
Home Business
Technology
Online Advertising
Motivational
Internet Marketing
SEO Help
Online Games
Science Articles
Happiness

More Articles:


1. Wig Wisdom - Understanding Hairpiece Types, Attachments, Costs, and care Techniques
Modern hairpieces or wigs have definitely evolved from the bulky, detectable toupees of yesteryear. Today’s wigs are lighter, fit better, and look and feel more natural. What materials are in a hairpiece?The best hairpieces are custom-made. They tend to be more expensive than ready-made hairpieces because they are constructed with quality materials and made to fit your scalp perfectly. Quality custom-made hairpieces are created with human hair. …

2. What Are Paid Survey Focus Groups & How Do They Work?
Focus Groups, Paid Surveys, & Other Market Research Opportunities Demystified Businesses and other organizations use focus groups and paid surveys to research consumer and public opinion concerning a variety of issues. Corporations look to focus groups for general help in selling their products to the world at large instead of any type of direct marketing efforts. Focus groups & Paid Surveys are usually conducted by Market Research companies. Mar…

3. S T R E T C H I N G YOUR Outer Limit
You can't prove anything to anybody who doesn't want tobelieve you ... just like you can't attempt to help somebodyto improve their circumstances if they won't let you coachthem in that direction.Why would you want to help someone to do this anyway?The main reason that I do this is because as I help others,I improve myself in the process ... a self-perpetuation ifyou like.The word *success* comes from a Latin word meaning 'tofollow.' It's a futur…

4. 8 Ways to keep a Secure E-Gold Account
E-GOLD HACKING PROBLEMS (HOW TO PREVENT THEM) In the past thousands of E-gold accounts have been hacked and all funds stolen. One of these E-gold accounts was ours. Luckily we only lost a very very small amount of money. We have spent a few hours researching the issue and have come up with some precautions: #1 - Never use your E-gold password on any other sites. #2 - Use the SRK feature while entering your password. This is the little blue circul…