reminder: safe net use tips

[davidfcooper]

For my own reference, but useful for anyone on-line:

By exercising caution and following some basic guidelines, you can
reduce your chances of falling victim to online identity theft.

1. Be suspicious of ANY email that asks for sensitive personal
information, even if the sender seems to be familiar.

2. Never open attachments or click links in spam or
unsolicited emails.

3. Avoid filling out forms contained in an email message or pop-
ups, even if they appear to be from a legitimate company with
whom you do business.

4. Run the latest version of a proven anti-virus software program
on your computer.

5. If you have logged on to a Web site, log off when you are
finished and close your browser completely.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

6. Don't run Windows as your primary OS.
7. If you are on Windows, don't use Internet Explorer unless you absolutely have to, and *then* only with websites you absolutely trust.
8. If you *must* use IE, run it with the most restrictive settings you can get away with.

There are a *lot* of attacks out there that target the Windows/IE combination. Running a different OS and/or a different browser if you can helps thwart a lot of attacks. It doesn't render you completely secure; nothing will do that short of unplugging the network cable from the back of your computer. But it does go a long way.

[davidfcooper.livejournal.com]

That's one of the reasons I'm a Mac user.