I wrote an article for Global Knowledge about fast growing issue of Identity theft.
In the article I gave 15 Simple steps to prevent becoming a victim, here they are:
- Think security. If you are not sure about something, do not open or install it.
- If asked to download a file, and you are not sure what it does, do not download it.
- Get an anti-spyware program, keep it updated, and use it.
- Do not open e-mails from people you do not know.
- Do not open attachments if you are not positive you know what they are.
- If an e-mail offers something too good to be true, it probably is a scam.
- Use anti-virus software; update it at least once a day or more.
- Patch your computer’s operating system (all vendors have updates).
- Patch you applications (word, games, mail programs, etc.).
- Be smart; know what services run on your computer, and what ports are open.
- Stay away from peer-to-peer sharing software programs.
- Think! Computer Security is about what you do as well as what you don’t do.
- If your computer has a Trojan or worm, you can try to fix it BUT it probably has more than one Trojan or worm. It’s better to rebuild if you want to be truly secure.
- Wipe out the hard drive when disposing of computers with utilities such as Active KillDisk (Free) WipeDisk, or BCwipe.
- Think before you click.
To read the full acticle go here