7 Online Blunders

The September 2008 Consumer Reports calls these "these common mistakes can ruin your computer or invite identity theft".

  1. Assuming your security software is protecting you
  2. Accessing an account through an e-mail link
  3. Using a single password for all online accounts
  4. Downloading free software
  5. Thinking your Mac shields you from all risks
  6. Clicking on a pop-up ad that says your computer is insecure
  7. Shopping online the same was you do in stores
No. The Problem Your To Do
1 Security software only works if it is registered and currently updated.  A recent survey found that nearly half of users who thought they were protected hadn't updated their software.  Renew your software when asked.  Update it weekly, or better yet enable automatic updates.
2 An e-mail message from a financial source may look official but there is no way to tell.  Clicking on a link in fraudulent e-mail could allow your account number and password to be stolen.  This is Phishing. Never click on a link in an e-mail that has financial implications.  Always access your account as you normally would.  Forward suspected Phishing e-mail to spam@uce.gov or reportphishing@antiphishing.org and forward it to the financial institution.
3 Any one who gets your password can gain access to all your accounts. Use variations on your password for different accounts.  Passwords should be at least eight letters, numbers or punctuation symbols.
4 Spyware can be packaged in with free software. Download only from reputable sites such as download.com or snapfiles.com  tell your grandchildren not to download software on your computer. 
5 Mac users fall prey to as many Phishing scams as PC users. Consider a browser with Phishing protection such as Firefox or Opera.
6 These ads often transfer you to a spyware site. Carefully click on the X to close the ad, never in the ad itself.  Enable popup blocking in your browser.
7 You can't always be sure who you are dealing with and you disclose a lot of personal information. Use a special low limit credit card for online purchases or get a virtual single use number from your credit card company.  Sites showing "https"  are usually safe.

Beware of sites that end in .hk (Hong Kong), .cn (China) or .info.  McAfee reports nearly 20% of .hk sites are dangerous and nearly 12% of the other two are dangerous.

Get an anti spyware program, update and run it regularly.  Examples are Spyware Blaster, Spyware Terminator, and SPYBOT Search and Destroy.