Jun
14
The answer, according to top security experts, is a qualified “yes.” Using the Internet to bank, buy music, or shop is still as safe or safer than visiting brick-and-mortar locations, as long as consumers take precautions and know what to do if they notice any suspicious activity.
Over 80% of credit reports have errors on them, errors which could be lowering your credit score and keeping you from getting credit or paying more for it than you should.
Lifehacker provides a little insight into the thought processes a professional password guesser uses to guess your password. Security expert Roger Grimes writes at InfoWorld how easily passwords can be guessed and says that these days passwords need to be longer than the mere six-to-eight characters typically used.
Consider lengthening your password and including special characters in it. The longer and more random your password is, the harder it is to guess. Lifehacker also provides a list of the most commonly used passwords. Make sure your passwords are not on this list. Also check out the password tips at the bottom this article.
It’s no secret that criminals try to use huge disasters to their benefit to make some cash, this time is no exception! We have been able to track several black hat methods to convince people to "help” Japan’s disaster-affected population. The set of techniques are not new and usually involve:
If you use Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, or any Social Networking Community website, you may want to take a closer look at your privacy settings. The US-CERT, (United States Computer Readiness Team), offers some good tips on Staying Safe on Social Network Sites. One important tip is simply recognizing that infomation you post on the web for your friends to read may be open for the world to see.
The Federal Trade Commission has launched the website and blog for National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2011, to be held March 6-12. The annual event, now in its 13th year, is hosted by the FTC and nearly 30 other government agencies, consumer groups, and national organizations. The website, www.ncpw.gov, provides information about consumer rights, and promotes free resources to help consumers protect their privacy, manage credit and debt, avoid identity theft, understand mortgages, and recognize frauds and scams.
Many of us have that special someone in our lives who needs a little extra training on common computer tasks. A new site has been “built by a few folks at Google to help keep tech support a family business.” There are some helpful videos on a number of topics, including the following security related videos.
- create a strong password
- upgrade your browser
Give them a watch, then consider sending them along to that special someone at http://www.teachparentstech.org/watch
Online shopping has become a popular way to purchase items without the hassles of traffic and crowds. However, the internet has unique risks, so it is important to take steps to protect yourself when shopping online.
The Federal Reserve is providing a guide to understanding the value and content of your credit report. Your credit report is being utilized in a growing numbers of ways and can affect more than just the ability to receive a loan. This includes landlords, utility companies and prospective employers, making your credit worth while to understand.
Read the guide at the Federal Reserve’s website.
With the introduction of VoIP, you can use the internet to make telephone calls instead of relying on a separate telephone line. However, the technology does present security risks.
What is voice over internet protocol (VoIP)? Voice over internet protocol (VoIP), also known as IP telephony, allows you to use your internet connection to make telephone calls. Instead of relying on an analog line like traditional telephones, VoIP uses digital technology and requires a high-speed broadband connection such as DSL or cable. There are a variety of providers who offer VoIP, and they offer different services. The most common application of VoIP for personal or home use is internet-based phone services that rely on a telephone switch. With this application, you will still have a phone number, will still dial phone numbers, and will usually have an adapter that allows you to use a regular telephone. The person you are calling will not likely notice a difference from a traditional phone call. Some service providers also offer the ability to use your VoIP adapter any place you have a high-speed internet connection, allowing you to take it with you when you travel.
What are the security implications of VoIP?