Free Internet Firewall - Protect Your PC

HOME

FIX YOUR PC

Free Computer Fixes
Free Downloads
Free Virus-Checker

QUICK LINKS

Free Computer Clean-Up

Fix your computer right now - free tips and advice on how to clean up your PC or notebook computer. Read our easy-to-follow steps on how to clean up your computer and the best computer virus protection. Once you are finished, make sure you protect your computer from harmful viruses and spyware - learn how to protect your PC.

Home > PC Clean Up > Prevent Phishing

Prevent Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a way for online thieves to con you out of your personal and sensitive information. Phishers use spam, fake Web sites, crimeware and other techniques to trick people into divulging sensitive information, such as bank and credit card account details. Once they’ve captured enough victims’ information, they either use the stolen goods themselves to defraud the victims. Phishers send out waves of spam email that contains a message and a link that appears to originate from a trusted and well-known company. Many phishing emails are fake messages disguised as coming from financial institutions. These fake messages include the company's logo and name, and it often tries to evoke an emotional response to a false crisis. Intentionally deceptive, the email often makes a request of the user’s personal information. Sometimes the email directs the recipient to a spoofed Web site. The Web site, like the email, appears authentic and in some instances its URL has been masked so the Web address looks real. Unfortunately, so many overly-trusting users provide their confidential information — social security numbers, account numbers, passwords, etc. This information is instantly captured and stolen often without the casual user knowing it. Phishing could result in a stolen identity or even a bank account being compromised and all the funds stolen. But, there are things you can do to prevent phishing attacks:

1. Don't click on email attachments: Most viruses and worms arrive via email attachments. Many of them are spring-loaded to execute as soon as you click on them. Common dangerous file extensions include - .bat, .com, .exe, .pif, .scr, and .vbs. Your best bet is to avoid email attachments unless you know exactly what the file is.

2. Be suspicious of email return addresses: Since phishing attacks attempt to trick you into believing that the email is coming from a trusted source, be very suspicious of an email's return address. Don't just assume that because the email return address in the message header says a certain company that it is in fact from that company. The fact of the matter is that most financial institutions do NOT email their clients to ask for account number confirmation or social security numbers or any other personal information.

3. Be suspicious of the email message: Fake phishing emails will attempt to get you to type in your account information, financial information, or personal data into an online form so that the phisher can capture your information and then use it against you. The message may even contain links to a counterfeit version of the company's Web site, complete with genuine-looking graphics and corporate logos.

4. Be suspicious of the link: Phishing emails will include a link that appears to lead you to a financial website or other website you may do business with. Although the link looks genuine, it is easy to disguise a link and have it deliver you to a counterfeit website that is masuerading as your bank's website. Be suspicious of any email asking you to re-confirm your personal or sensitive information online - even if the website looks genuine. Tip - Banks and ISPs don't lose your information and then send e-mail requests for you to reenter it online. Another tip-off is that the link text and the real underlying URL don't match. Always examine log-in Web pages and their URLs closely.

5. Don't download or install anything: Some phishing attacks create a pop-up warning that prompts you to download a "browser plug-in." Do not download this! Doing so can result in a flurry of pop-ups, undesirable toolbars, a home-page hijacking, or worse.

6. Internet Explorer 7.0 anti-phishing tools: IE 7.0 includes anti-phishing tools. This tool is an online filter (must be activated by the user) that verifies commonly phished websites including Paypal, Ebay, etc. Internet Explorer will verify each of these websites and check them against possible phishing sites. You must have IE 7's automatic anti-phishing filter and automatic certificate revocation enabled, for this feature to work. To determine if a website is a reported phishing website or not, the Phishing Filter will check the address of the website you are trying to visit on a Microsoft server to see if it’s a reported phishing site.

Article: Think Before You Click to Avoid Viruses and Scams - Read PC World article

If you have a wireless internet connection in your home, you should check out our section on how to secure your wireless network for detailed instructions and advice on data encryption and wireless router security.

Clean Up Steps:
1. Quick Fixes
2. Eliminate Spyware
3. Anti-Virus Scan
4. Set-Up a Firewall
5. Update your PC
6. Backup your Data

Best online deals : Dell Laptops - Dell Desktops - HP Laptops