Staying safe when it comes to emails…
Email is a great and free way to communicate with friends and family. Below you’ll find some ways to stay safe when it comes to emails..
Don’t go giving out personal information…
Guard your home address, social details and bank information like it’s gold. It can also be handy to use one email for family and friends, and another for shopping, newsletters and other online activity. This way you can spot spam a lot quicker.
Don’t go downloading things…
Attachments in emails are common ways to spread viruses. THINK before opening and/or downloading attachments. Even if you know the sender, it’s not uncommon for people to use hacked email accounts for these and don’t hesitate to check with the sender if your unsure about an attachment.
Don’t you just love links…
We all love getting links, but are they too good to be true?! are they from your bank?! THINK what is the link linking to! Chances are your bank will NEVER email you asking for anything, such as changing your password and updating your details… It’s called phishing and believe me you wouldn’t want George adduggendo from Uganda getting into your account. Don’t click links unless you know exactly what they link to. (click here to see a video of George Adduggendoo)
Chat & Instant Messaging…
Instant messaging (im) and chatrooms are what I call ‘a Pedos paradise’. You will find tons of them in chatrooms all trying to get people to give them their im details so they can have an ‘enjoyable experience’. It’s just like email… NEVER reveal your personal information and don’t go opening files complete randomers send you, it’s not the smart thing to do.
Screen/User name…
Most chat rooms and im services require you to signup, where you will pick a screen/user name to use in chats. Don’t go using words that can identify you.. and for god sake, don’t use provocative words! I mean the likes hornygirl93 for example is only going to see pedos flock in their hundreds to where your chatting.
Horny = person is horny and mad. Girl = clearly means it’s a girl. and com’on the 93 clearly is the year of birth… Jesus, the pedos would be sweating reading that name alone, horny 16yr old girl jesus. So watch it, and also if you have children… maybe try check theirs!
Report…
Don’t be afraid to report incidents of bullying, sexual exploitation, or other fraud. If it’s a pedo, and you know it’s a proper pedo go straight to the Guards or Police depending what country your from and report it… because pedos are mad like that and you really don’t want a stalker do you now?!
Leave and block…
Depending where you are… Leave or block anyone who seems like a pedo, or people annoying you. There really not worth it.
The large Interwebs…
Now, this place is massive… so watch yourself! Theres something unexpected behind every corner, and that’s really a fact.
Privacy…
Read the websites privacy policy before giving out personal information or downloading anything. Check for signs that the website takes steps to protect your information; look for https:// in the address bar and for a padlock or unbroken key in the lower-right-corner of the browser. Theres more information about SSL’s (https) and phishing at the end of this.
Passwords…
Use strong passwords, that have at least eight characters, include a mix of everything… numbers, letters and symbols that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.
Monitor, well spy… depends what type or parent you are.
Pay close attention to what kids are doing and who their talking to online. Make it a rule that none of your children reveal personal information online, including photos without permission. Warn the kids never to meet internet ‘friends’ in person! I’ll be doing another post on keeping your children safe online sometime soon.
Update…
A computer that’s up-to-date is far more secure than a computer that’s not updated. Use a firewall, install and maintain antivirus software and keep windows and other Microsoft products up-to-date using ‘Microsoft Update’.
Tips…
Below, I’ve quickly done up 3 tips on keeping safe. They may come in handy, then again they may not.
Phishing… What in the name of god is that you say?!
It’s basically people trying to trick you into giving them things. The main example would be the bank website type scam… If your bank emails you looking for you to update your details or anything, don’t click the link! Chances are the bank didn’t actually send it out, and it’s not the banks website your viewing.
The Secure password system.
Something I do and it works a charm. Lets say I have 2 email accounts and a twitter account… Come up with 3 passwords, assign one to each account and every month or so rotate them around. It’s rather handy and can be a bit more secure than always having the same password.
‘https’ or SSL’s
Shopping online?! Always keep an eye out for SSL certs if your paying by credit card. If your using an middle man service such as PayPal or RBS world pay SSL’s will only protect your details, because you won’t be giving the store any of your credit card details, instead they’ll be going through paypal or the other agent.
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