TAP | Tech A Peep

Spyware: Spyware is a catch-all word encompassing malware like Trojans, adware, pop-ups, altered cookies, key-loggers, and so on. Spyware is usually designed to observe your activities online and to discover security flaws. Hackers have acquired innovative implements, like key-loggers, capable of remembering each key pressed, enabling the discovery of your password, bank details, and email.

Stop Spyware: Look for spyware-combating software that has been endorsed by a reliable source like Microsoft.

Identity Theft: Hackers use various methods to steal your personal information. Once this data is obtained, it may be used to make purchases on the Internet with your credit card information, misdirect direct deposits, and produce counterfeit documents. Ordinarily, the best online security programs include some sort of safeguard against this issue.

Stop Identity Theft: Be aware of who you are conducting purchase transactions with. Make certain that a legitimate SSL certificate is located on any page where you will enter information without the presence of error or warning icons appearing in your browser. Safe pages start with ‘https:’ instead of ‘http:’.

Spam: Spam email (email you did not sign up for) can contain malicious links that can do all sorts of things, including infecting your computer with a virus, introducing spyware, as well as attracting additional spam. Having an effective online spam filter is generally a wise choice. Utilizing Internet security software as well as a certain amount of common sense will help you avoid having your inbox swamped with spam.

Avoid Spam: Don’t ever ‘unsubscribe’ any email messages you did not solicit or subscribe to. This notifies the spammer that you are an actual person and your spam potentially could double or triple very quickly.

Phishing: Connected to the category of identity theft, as described above, phishing presents a serious online security threat. This works by sending you email messages posing as trustworthy web sites like your bank. The links steer you in the direction of a fraudulent website that imitates the reputable site. After you enter your private information, a hacker uses this to buy things over the Internet with the help of your identity or your funds.

Stop Phishing: Don’t ever click on any link that appears suspicious. Be sure to take note what the “.com” in the url is attached to. A URL ought to conclude with the expected title, rather than start with this name. For an example, the URL for the Bank of America should look like this: http://somesubdomain.bankofamerica.com, but a Phishing link might look something like this: http://bankofamerica.myphishingdomain.com. If you are using Internet Explorer, you may be alerted to suspected phishing sites because IE has a phishing filter – but it is not foolproof – always be suspicious of any site that asks you to enter information on their site from email.

Stephen Grisham, Sr. is a copy writer for InfoServe Media, LLC. InfoServe Media is a Houston, TX web design and web hosting company. Want to create your website yourself? InfoServe Media also offers a way to create a web site yourself with a very powerful and easy to use site builder. They also provide domain registration, search engine optimization (SEO) and more.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/online-security-issues-and-prevention-853075.html

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