Summary
- Firewalls and anti-virus and anti-spyware software are crucial
- Be spam-savvy – delete, delete, delete
- Destruction is the only safe end for an old computer
- Shred documents before you throw them out
If you use the internet, you need to read this.
Viruses always infect or corrupt files on a targeted computer
1. Worms and viruses can wreck your data and your machine
Worms are self-replicating computer programs that use a network to send copies of themselves to other computer terminals on the network. Unlike viruses, worms do not need to attach themselves to existing programs. Worms always harm your network, even if just by taking up bandwidth, whereas viruses always infect or corrupt files on a targeted computer.
The easiest and most effective way to guard against these threats is to install anti-virus and spam-stopping software. The trouble is that not enough of us are doing this. In a 2006 survey, 46.3% respondents said they kept their anti-virus software up to date but only 10% had spam-stopping software installed. Protect yourself and your data by buying a recognised anti-viral program and setting it to auto-update regularly. Free software is also available but be warned that it carries no warranty.
Spyware is used by criminals to steal personal information and passwords
2. Spyware can allow others to learn your passwords
Spyware is software that can be lodged in your computer when you visit websites or open emails, and then used by criminals to steal personal information and passwords for the purposes of financial or identity theft. It’s difficult to detect whether spyware has affected your computer… until it affects your life! Protect yourself by purchasing and installing anti-spyware software and setting your browser preferences only to accept cookies you recognise.
If your operating system includes a firewall, make sure it is switched on
3. Other users can access your PC while you’re online
Connecting to the internet can sometimes open up your computer – and the information you keep on it – to the world. Guard against nefarious characters snooping around your data by installing and using a personal firewall. If your operating system already includes a firewall, make sure it is switched on.
4. Eavesdroppers tune in to insecure wireless networks
Like many wireless networks, WiFi and Bluetooth are not entirely secure. Only use them to exchange information in places, and with devices, you trust. Keep your device in non-discoverable mode when you are not using WiFi or Bluetooth and use a PIN to keep the device secure. Avoid connecting to non-secure access points in public places, but if you must, do not send or receive sensitive information.
92.6% of all email messages are spam
5. Spam is rife, and some of it has teeth
An astounding 92.6% of all email messages are spam. If you haven’t yet been spammed, don’t worry – your turn will come. What to do about it? First, never reply to phishing emails, which are designed to look as though they come from your bank or an online service provider and may provide links to bogus ‘bank’ websites. These emails may ask you to confirm details such as account number and password but they are ALWAYS fakes: no reputable organisation will ever ask you to send this type of information.
If you do get phished, refuse to bite. Either delete the email or, if you want to tell the organisation that is being imitated, call them using the official number on their legitimate website – you can be sure the numbers on a phishing email or fake website will be false too. People in the UK lose £3.5 billion to scams every year — equivalent to about £70 per adult. Deleting these emails can help ensure you won’t become one of those people.
No reputable organisation will ever ask you to send your account number and password
The second big nasty to look out for is email from unknown sources. No matter how convincing or heart-wrenching, email received from people or organisations you don’t know should be deleted and attachments left unopened, as they are likely to carry viruses. Your anti-viral software should alert you or automatically delete these messages, but if something sneaks through, vigilance is your best asset. Anyone asking for your bank details in order to claim a multi-million pound inheritance… delete, delete, delete.
Spam is a nuisance, it’s true. But it’s a nuisance best ignored: whatever else you do in life, never, ever reply to spam. Replying alerts spammers that the email address is valid and you will be bombarded with more messages from more senders.
A chart embedded in a PowerPoint document can include the entire Excel workbook containing the chart’s data
6. Office documents may be hiding content
Microsoft Office programs can contain hidden information that you had no intention of sharing. Some versions of Word can track any alterations and changes that have been made while writing a document. A chart embedded in a PowerPoint document can include the entire Excel workbook containing the chart’s data.
Our best suggestion is to use plug-ins to strip documents of hidden content or convert documents into PDFs before you send them on from your computer. There are several free PDF makers available and Mac users will find a PDF maker built in to OS X. Office users can check www.microsoft.co.uk for plug-ins.
7. Dirty PCs are very bad indeed
Information does not disappear when you place it in your computer’s recycle bin. Buy and use a clean-up utility to overwrite the disk space occupied by discarded information. Delete sensitive and personal information if you need to send your PC to a supplier for a health check or upgrade.
The only completely safe way of preventing others from recovering data is physical destruction
8. Old equipment keeps secrets
Selling or giving away a computer is fair enough, but be warned that the contents of unwanted hard drives, disks and tapes can always be uncovered by new owners. The only completely safe way of preventing others from recovering data is physical destruction. Contact your local council recycling centre for safe disposal.
9. Portable storage devices tell tales
Modern and innocuous as they are, portable storage devices such as USB key rings are inherently insecure. Keep them as safe as you would your passport or credit cards.
23% of people believe they’ve been the victims of identity fraud
10. Nothing’s safe until it’s shredded
18 million UK households regularly throw away (without shredding) sensitive financial documents, which means that 77% of household waste contains at least one item which could assist fraudsters in identity theft. Be ID savvy – buy a home shredder and destroy anything with your name, address or financial information on it, including junk mail. These documents could be used to steal your identity or financial details.
77% of household waste contains at least one item which could assist fraudsters in identity theft
Finally, check your credit report. At last count, 95% of Britons had never checked their credit report, yet 23% of Britons believe they’ve been the victims of identity fraud. As your credit report contains records of any loans, debts and repayments made by you (or someone purporting to be you), checking it regularly is a good way to ensure accuracy and flag up anything suspicious. Inaccurate information on your credit report can hamper your ability to obtain credit, but if you don’t check your report, you’ll never know it’s there.
Published on: 9 July 2007
