A generation ago it took street smarts to avoid being victimized by scam artists. Today "web sense" is a necessary trait to steer clear of online traps that can result in consequences that range from annoying to devastating.
As legitimate businesses follow the web's latest channels to grow sales, so are unscrupulous characters looking to wreak havoc for various purposes. There is actually a cyber war underway that threatens our national security. So there are threats on a global scale. But for personal computing, following a few simple guidelines will keep you safe from almost all the trouble.
The topic came to mind this week as I established a Skype account in order to talk with business associates north of the border. Unlike millions of users who have discovered this almost too good to be true web application, I was new, and unfamiliar with what to expect. And sure enough, before I got completely oriented, I was spammed through Skype with what I concluded was a potentially dangerous invitation. The message was essentially a spoof of my virus protection application and claimed it had detected a vulnerability in my computer's registry. It asked me to click on a link and download a patch to solve the problem. The message was in the form of a warning that suggested that unless I took immediate action, I was at risk. Of course, the exact opposite is likely the truth. I'll never know what I would have gotten into if I had fallen for it and downloaded some malware on my computer.
And over the last few weeks, I've seen a number of my friends' Twitter and Facebook accounts get hacked and received messages that probably contained viruses. Anyone seen this lately on Twitter:
haha. This you??? http://...
Tip 1: You may recognize the person that sent you this, but the link is a trap. Even if you recognize the sender, if you're not expecting the link in the message, better safe than sorry. Confirm with the sender, if you know him, that the message is legitimate. As a rule, I don't click on links or download files unless I know the person and am expecting the link or attachment. Too bad, that leaves me out of the fun of all those forwarded pictures but if I'm really interested, I can send a separate email back to the person and confirm it was a legitimate message.
Tip 2: No brainer: Maintain a well established and respected virus, firewall and spyware protection program on ALL computers. I use McAfee. Many homes today have several computers on a home network. If all the machines are not protected, the risk is that problems that will get in through the weakest point.
Tip 3: Speaking of home networks, make sure the security and encryption is enabled so that no one and no machine can gain access. If your network is not locked down, you're at risk of everything from stolen computer files to being spied upon through that web cam attached to your laptop.
Tip 4: Use strong passwords and change them regularly. This one is a pain for me, but a necessary pain. Passwords should be at least 8 characters and contain a number and a special character. Changing the passwords regularly may keep you a step ahead of those trying to compromise your various accounts across the web.
Tip 5: Be aware that threats are coming from additional sources now. In addition to the threat of picking up spyware from a site you visit or contracting a virus through email, scammers are now all over social networks. You can get victimized just as easily now through Twitter, Facebook, Instant Messages or even SMS messages to your mobile device.
Tip 6: Stay apprised of the latest. The bad guys are always trying new and different ways to trip you up. But there are good guys out there that are just as smart. I stay up to date on the latest threats through RSS feeds from reputable sources such as Mashable or CNET. Your virus protection software should maintain a comprehensive threat center. For more information, the US government has the US-CERT.
Perhaps the most unfortunate casualty of a worldwide web full of traps and scams is our trust. Like most of our cities and towns, the web is not a place to leave the front door unlocked or pick up hitch hikers. But with cyber-street smarts, you'll trust less but need not be afraid.
