Internet Safety

• It's Not Private:  People have become so comfortable with email they often forget that anyone could be reading it on the other end.  Don't give out your personal information over email.
• Passwords:  Again?  This is one of the most common mistakes on the internet.  If someone got a hold of your email password, they could set up your email on their computer.  They could read your email, and send under your name.
• Don't Announce Your Address:  Wonder why you keep getting spam and advertisements sent to your email?  Hackers use programs to scan the internet to "harvest" email addresses posted in public.  If you need to enter your email address on a website or forum, use a free service email address, like Hotmail, one that can be easily deleted.
• Spam and Junk Mail:  Never open any mail unless you know the sender.  Opening spam mail, or replying to them, only tells the sender that the email account is active, and you get more junk mail.  Do not open it, put it in your "junk sender" list, and delete.
• Urgent Message:  Be wary of "urgent" emails claiming you must act fast for a prize, or to prevent accounts from being deleted.  If you have a concern, speak with the company by telephone.
  

 

-Phishing For Dollars-

     The latest and greatest internet scam is known as "phishing".  Phishing is pretty easily done, and just as easy to avoid if the public is made aware of the dangers, and follow simple internet safety tips.  The number of reported phishing attacks has been increasing astronomically over the past year, sending the cost to consumers into the billions.

     According to the Federal Trade Commission, phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with – for example, your internet service provider, bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to “update” or “validate” your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don’t respond. The message directs you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site, but it isn’t. The purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

The Scam

• Hackers collect peoples email addresses from the internet by using a simple program that searches for the "@" symbol.
• Then they create a bogus email and website using a respected bank, ISP (AOL), or online auction (eBay) as bait.
• The fake emails may look different or have you do different things, but the bottom line is the same, they all ask you for your account information, PIN numbers or passwords.
• Then they send the bait out to the pool of email addresses they "harvested" from the internet.  Some emails ask for your information directly, some include a link to a bogus website, where a form or pop-up will ask for your information.
• Some people who get these "phishing" emails respond with their account information.  Fraudulent credit charges quickly follow.
• While only a very small percentage of the public report falling for this scam, when millions of fake emails can be sent at the push of a button, even a 1% return could wreak havoc.

Protect Yourself

• There is a surprisingly simple solution to this crime.  The vast majority of bait companies are major banks, EBay and AOL.  In response, these companies have altered their operating procedures, and have announced a simple rule.....they will NEVER initiate a request for sensitive information from you, via email !!!    If you get an unsolicited email asking for you to respond with, fill out a form with, or go to a website and enter account numbers, PIN numbers, or any personal information, do not respond, do not click on any links, and delete it.
• Be wary of any email with urgent requests, and exciting statements, such as "your bank account will be closed if you don't...".  If you are concerned about your accounts, look up the customer service phone number from an account statement (NOT from the fake email), and inquire by telephone.
• Never use a link found in an email to get to any web page.  While these links can announce they are bringing you one place, they may bring you somewhere unsafe.
• Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information.  You should only communicate this information via secure websites or telephone.
• Always ensure that you're using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via the internet.  To make sure you're on a secure Web server, check the beginning of the Web address in your browsers address bar; it should be "https://" rather than "http://".  "S" is for secure.
• Above all, use common sense.  If there is an email or website that makes you feel uncomfortable, give the company a call by telephone.  If someone gives you an excuse about why you must send a bank check or you must hurry, take your business elsewhere.

     The internet is a truly wonderful thing.  To be able to have literally anything you need at your finger tips; information, books, music, movies, games, education for kids, and millions of places to shop, it's a great thing.  But the internet is like anything else, if your not careful, you could get into trouble.  So be smart, be safe, and teach others young and old, how to safely surf the internet.

     If you have any questions or concerns, Patrolman Joe Zanghetti would be happy to speak with you or your kids about internet safety, just give the station a call, or you can send an email to:

Internet Safety Email