Beware of the online scams out there and learn how to protect yourself. In this age of the World Wide Web, scams are pretty much a part of the terrain. They are out there, they are prominent, and they work. While you may think that you are above getting scammed, you have to stop and consider that the solicitations out there would not be so visible if there was not someone falling for it all the time. Protecting yourself can happen in a number of ways, and it pays to be up on all the latest methods in order to ensure your online safety. If you want to avoid the hassles of online scams, then here are some things that you need to start doing immediately.
Secure Your Passwords
Password cracking software is out there, and it is effective. Unfortunately, when a thief steals one password, he usually has the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. The reason for this is entirely the fault of the user for using and reusing passwords on important accounts, and for not making them strong enough to begin with. By avoiding the obvious - mother's maiden name, birthdays and anniversaries, for instance - you can keep the thieves guessing or moving on to easier passwords.
Take Precautions with Email
If you ever get an email from a supposedly legitimate source asking you to log in at a website for a crucial update to your account, avoid it like the plague. These malicious attempts are there to steal your personal information. And if it is a Paypal dummy site, or perhaps a dummy site for your bank, it can end up costing you dearly. While some of the money may be recoverable, the long term effects will always be more hassle than they are worth. If uncertain, visit the site separate and apart from any links included on the email and talk to a customer service representative.
Never Buy from a Non Secure Site
Buying online is not as risky as many old timers believe, but it can be, if you are not careful with how you disperse financial information. This is an easy fix, but one that many are not aware of. Instead of buying from a site with the "http" protocol, it is important to look for "https." The "s" on the end stands for "secure," and it is the symbol that your information will be well protected online.
Hackers, spam bots and a variety of other Internet ne'er do wells are out there and always on the prowl for your information, but if you are careful and follow the three steps listed above, you can avoid the setbacks that they will place on your time, sanity and pocketbook.
