Here is a list of things you can do to practice “secure computing”:

Don’t get reeled in by phishers!

Phishers are often the originators of spam e-mail messages—especially the ones telling you that there is something wrong with one of your accounts and that they need you to enter certain personal information in order to verify who you are and deal with some urgent issue. What should you do if you receive an e-mail like this?

• Attempt to confirm the validity of the message. You can do this by picking up the telephone and calling the organization or business in question, or by opening up your web browser and typing in the website URL yourself. Do NOT click any links in the questionable e-mail message and do NOT give the senders of the message any personal information about yourself.

• Report fraudulent messages and websites. If the message you received is confirmed to be fake, report it to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most ISPs will have an e-mail address for such reports. Contact them to obtain the correct information. PenTeleData customers should forward the e-mail to .

Some other helpful tips are available from the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.shtm.


Don’t be Spoofed!

Spoofing refers to both e-mail and fake websites—it usually refers to falsifying the true source of an e-mail message or website in order to deceive the user into believing the message or website is legitimate. Most spam e-mail messages are spoofed and use phishing techniques that link you to fake websites. Websites often spoofed are those of banks, eBay, and PayPal.

Tips for avoiding spoofed websites:

• Always type the address (url) of a site in yourself. Clicking links in suspicious e-mails may lead you to a spoofed site that looks completely legitimate.

• Treat all unsolicited e-mails as potential phishing attempts. If you receive an unsolicited e-mail linking you to a website, do not click the links. Treat it as though it is a phishing attempt. Even if the site is not spoofed, some of these sites may install Trojan horse programs or other spyware onto your computer that may allow another person access to personal information stored on your computer.

Additional information is available from that Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/idtheft/.


Remain virus-free.

• Do not open e-mails/attachments you are not expecting.

• Keep your Anti Virus up to date. If you don't have an Anti Virus program, you should get one.

• Install a firewall.

Keep spam in the can.

• Don't post your e-mail online - if you must, use a 'throw-away' e-mail like yahoo, hotmail or post your e-mail address like this: .

• Use spam filtering software/services.

Protect your computer from spyware.

• Install a pop-up stopper.

• Install a spyware removal program (Ad-Aware, SpyBot Search & Destroy).

• Be cautious of any free software.

Vaccinate your computer.

• Keep up with windows updates (or Operating System updates).

• Run weekly Anti Virus scans and spyware scans.

• Perform a clean install of Windows or your operating system at least once a year.

• Back up important data on disks/CDs.

• Keep software up-to-date (usually via manufacturer's websites).

Save on your electric bill.
A typical computer, on average draws about 100 to 150 watts (this does not include seriously loaded PCs for gaming, etc—those can draw upwards of 200 watts without a monitor). So, if you leave the computer on all the time with the monitor on, it will continue to draw that power all the time — day and night. What can you do to reduce this?




Definitions
Anti Virus, Firewall, Spyware, Clean install, Spam, OS (Operating System), Web browser...definitions.




Free protective software for your computer

AVG Anti Virus:
www.grisoft.com
ZoneAlarm firewall:
www.zonelabs.com
Ad-Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com
SpyBot Search & Destroy:
www.safer-networking.org