| CONTENTS | | | | File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at |
| ACTIVITY MARKETING INFORMATION | | | | |
| SCAMS @ TAXTIME | | | | Shaw is my server and they supply me with a free |
| SECURITY | | | | centralized firewall, which check for signs of |
| LIGHTSIDE | | | | unwanted visitors. They provide a log of attempted |
| SEARCH ENGINE INFORMATION | | | | access to my computer, so you know who is trying |
| RINGTONE-CLONING | | | | to get in. This paper trail is for prevention and tracing. |
| SPAM MAIL | | | | Most fraud artist knows this and will go to a less |
| Scams At Tax Time | | | | secure site. |
| This is the time of year the scammers promise you a | | | | LIGHTSIDE |
| quick refund for tax. They will come up with emails | | | | A young man was standing on the corner with a |
| pretends to be from the tax department for | | | | stack of newspaper, yelling "Extra! Extra! FIFTY |
| mistakes you made in your return. Remember, | | | | people are swindled! Read all about it." |
| governments do not communicate with taxpayers by | | | | Curious, a woman walked over and bought a paper. |
| email. | | | | "Hey, this is an old paper, where is the story about |
| If you did your taxes with a computer program or | | | | the big swindle?" she demanded. |
| online, make sure you protect your files. Store them | | | | The newspaper man ignored her and went on calling, |
| on a USB drive. Don't leave them on your computer, | | | | "read all about it: FIFTY ONE people swindled!" |
| as the information could be stolen | | | | SEARCH ENGINE INFORMATION |
| SECURITY | | | | FILE TYPES |
| The costs involved for security in the early 2000's, | | | | In addition to HTML files, Google search also supports |
| made this part of Internet marketing the domain of | | | | 12 other formats such as PDF, Microsoft Office, |
| large corporations. However by the middle of 2000, | | | | PostScript, Corel WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and |
| with widespread of network appliances coming online, | | | | others. Additionally, Google also offers the user the |
| small business and homeowners have found security | | | | ability to "View as HTML, which allows users to view |
| is becoming reasonably priced. | | | | these files in case the corresponding software is not |
| Some sound computer advice if followed will not cost | | | | installed on the user's PC. It also eliminates the |
| you a cent and should be the main most important | | | | hazards of opening a virus-infected document. |
| security you can give to your online marketing | | | | ADVANCED NEWS SEARCHES |
| experience. Just don't get lured into a false sense | | | | A new offering from Google - Advanced News |
| of security just because you have security software | | | | Search, allows visitors to scour headlines by date, |
| installed. There is no software on the market that | | | | location, exact phrases or publication. People can use |
| can stop a virus from getting on your computer. | | | | it retrieve articles from more than 4,500 news |
| Start with a solid password for your computer. | | | | outlets publishing on the Web. |
| Forget your favourite cat or dogs name. Come up | | | | WEB PAGE TRANSLATION |
| with something, like close your eyes over your | | | | This feature is particularly helpful if your search has |
| computer and punch 15-20 keys. Then pick out about | | | | non-English results. Google offers a facility to |
| 11-12 of the keys you punch and this will be your PW | | | | auto-martially translate a page for you in English. |
| Code. Write it down in a little codebook you can | | | | Currently, Google supports Italian, French, Spanish, |
| carry in your pocket, never leave it on your | | | | German, and Portuguese languages. |
| computer. | | | | Ringtone-Cloning |
| Next never open a attachment unless you know | | | | Crooks can use scanners to read your cell phone |
| who is sending it and you are expecting it. Be careful | | | | identity, including the number and its unique serial |
| when downloading free offers, gifts, too. Great | | | | number. |
| place for a virus to get a free ride into your | | | | Then they clone a cell phone to make calls at your |
| computer. | | | | expense. |
| SPYWARE | | | | Downloaded ringtones could be exposing you to a |
| Just when you thought you was Web savvy, one | | | | couple of potentially costly cell phone scams. Usually |
| more privacy, security, and functionality issue crops | | | | free ones or those exchanged via peer-to-peer |
| up — spyware. Installed on your computer | | | | software can and have been hacked by scammers |
| without your consent, spyware software monitors or | | | | and can install a virus that either damages the phone |
| controls your computer use. It may be used to send | | | | or steals confidential information. Get your tones only |
| you pop-up ads, redirect your computer to websites, | | | | from established, reputable companies. And don't |
| monitor your Internet surfing, or record your | | | | return messages or calls from people or organizations |
| keystrokes, which, in turn, could lead to identity | | | | you don't know. The same applies to text |
| theft. | | | | messages. Text scams have many various ways of |
| All computer users should take preventive steps to | | | | costing you money. |
| avoid spyware, get wise to the signs that it has | | | | Sometimes you find what seems to be a really |
| been installed on their machines, and then take the | | | | sweet cell phone rental deal. You don't find out |
| appropriate steps to delete it. | | | | you've been ripped off till the bill arrives, showing all |
| Signs that show you may have spyware are: | | | | sorts of additional charges you didn't know about. |
| 1.Barrage of pop-ups. | | | | Read the fine print (all of it) and only deal with name |
| 2.Hijacked browser, a browser that takes you to | | | | suppliers that have been around for years. |
| sites other than those you type into the address | | | | SPAM MAIL, Spreading Malicious Software |
| box. | | | | Emails are circulating on the Internet, claiming to be |
| 3. A sudden or repeated change in your computer's | | | | updates for Outlook and Outlook Express. They |
| internet home page. | | | | look like a tech bulletin from Microsoft. The URL |
| 4. New and unexpected toolbars. | | | | that you are supposed to click on to get the updates |
| 5. Random error messages. | | | | is only slightly different from the real URL, which is |
| 6. Slow performance when opening programs or | | | | Yes this is a phishing scam; so do not fall for it. |
| saving files. | | | | Microsoft does not send out emails advising you of |
| Use the following information to lower your risk of | | | | updates. You have to go get them at the update |
| spyware infections | | | | site. |
| 1.Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as | | | | Another one. You get a check in the mail, and you |
| a firewall, and update them all regularly. | | | | are asked to deposit it in your account. The check is |
| 2.Download free software only from sites you know | | | | supposedly for some kind of payment, lottery win, |
| and trust. | | | | deposit, rent, etc. |
| 3.Don't install any software without knowing exactly | | | | Then suddenly the sender discovers the whole thing |
| what it is. | | | | is an error, and asks for part or all of the money |
| 4.Don't click on any links within pop-ups. | | | | back. Don't send any money back, 99% of the time |
| 5.Don't click on links in spam or pop-ups that claim to | | | | the check you deposited will not clear the bank and |
| offer anti-spyware software. | | | | you will be out any money you refunded. It can take |
| If you believe your computer has spyware, the FTC | | | | over a month for a check to clear. |
| wants to know. | | | | |