.: Tips on How to Avoid Spammers and Hackers
By:David McKone
Category:Home / Computers / Security
Just about everyone will be familiar with the power of the Internet and the great things it can offer. Whilst it is true that the Internet offers 24-hour access to an endless wealth of information, as well as a vast number of entertainment options, there is a dark side to the Internet as well. Every computer user should be concerned with avoiding spammers and hackers who write malicious code intent on wreaking havoc on your computer or trying to obtain personal information about you.
Of course avoiding spammers and hackers is not always as easy as it sounds. For one thing, anyone who has an email address is likely to receive at least some spam, and some of that comes embedded with nasty surprises like viruses and Trojan horse programs.
So let us take the subject of avoiding spammers and hackers one step at a time, beginning with the growing problem of spam.
Giving spam the boot
Over the past few years spam has grown to be such a problem that junk email can now outnumber legitimate email, and the situation is only expected to get worse as time goes by. Whilst spam is annoying for all computer users, it is thought to cost corporations millions of dollars in both server space and wasted productivity.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps computer users can take to reduce the number of spam emails they receive, including:
1) Do not respond to a spam email. Many spam emails will contain an unsubscribe link, but instead of unsubscribing you, clicking this link will just verify to the spammer that they have found a valid email address. In almost every case, responding to an unsolicited email will simply result in more spam.
2) Delete the email at once. The best way to deal with spam is to simply delete it without reading it. That is because some spam contains viruses, adware or other malicious code. The safest thing to do is to send the spam to the trash and then empty the trash folder.
3) If you shop online, create a separate email address for your online shopping. Many merchants, even legitimate ones, sell email addresses to others. Keeping your main email address private through the creation of a separate online shopping identity is one of the best ways to avoid spam.
Staying ahead of the hackers
Keeping a step ahead of hackers and other nefarious Internet users takes some skill, and a lot of common sense. Perhaps the most important thing Internet users can do is to run a good anti virus program and keep it up to date. Updating your anti virus software on a regular basis is probably the best way to protect yourself against hackers.
Another important step you can take to prevent hackers from stealing your personal information is to keep your operating system software, and your web browser, up to date. Keeping your computer up to date, through a combination of anti virus updates and operating system updates, is one of the best ways to keep hackers, spammers and scammers at bay.
Article keywords: computer security, spam
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
David McKone has been involved with network security for several years, providing secure networks for both small businesses and large corporate clients. Sign up for my free newsletter and receive my special report "Computer Security" absolutely free at Computer Security
.: New Security Articles
1). Phishing - How to Avoid Getting Caught
Phishing - what is it and how do you avoid it? Find out how you can protect yourself from the newest member of the fraud family in this article.
2). Save Your Computer Files From Hackers
In everyday practice, we have always regarded a computer as the safest place to store our important information.
3). The Important Needs of a Virus Scanner
Having a reliable virus scanner on your computer is a necessity if you use the internet at all. There are so many viruses and forms of spyware out there that it can be difficult to keep up with them.
4). Your Complete Guide to Shopping Online Safely
A discussion about how to stay safe when shopping online.
5). She Chainsawed The Furniture!-Online Public Records Search
Find out who they really are with an online public records search and even find out what is on you. Government bodies are building databases of public records for public viewing, safety, knowledge, and for law enforcement that can be accessed online.
6). How To Handle Your Passwords
To make your passwords more secure you have to consider some easy rules for your password management.
7). How To Keep Your Home Wireless Network Secure
If you have even a passing interest in the topic of wireless network, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of wireless network.
.: Top Security Articles
1). Why Not to Start using CGI Proxy sites?
Everyone now these days is concerned with protecting their personal information form prying eyes on the web. With the continuing increase cases of stealing personal web identities, many people have been misdirected about what information needs to be hidden on line and the best way to achieve a more secure Internet environment. One of the most common ideas is that when you start using cgi proxy sites the security level increases.
2). Phishing And Fraud – What Is It?
Phishing is a very sneaky type of fraud conducted over the Internet. Its name is a throw back to the early days of hacking and identity theft and the practice of phone phreaking. While there can be very complicated schemes devised, they are all based on a very simple concept.
Phishers try to persuade you, or trick you into giving them sensitive information which they can then use to make money out of the system.
3). Why Do You Need A Registry Cleaner?
Before we understand the need of registry cleaner, let us understand what registry is and why you need a registry cleaner to enhance PC performance. Just as you would store your documents in a file, the Windows stores all information about your computer in a Registry, such as all the software and hardware settings, and everything about the system configuration.
4). E-mail Tracking -The Truth Is Revealed.
Have you ever wondered whether your boss, coworkers or family read your e-mails? Well, now you can track your sent e-mails.
In fact, there are many approaches to e-mail tracking. We all know the "read-receipt" system, in which you send an e-mail requesting a read confirmation. When the recipient reads your e-mail, he or she is asked by the software, "Would you like to confirm you received this e-mail?" Then the recipient may choose "No", and we will never get a confirmation.
5). Norton: The Free Security Software You Need
Computer viruses are becoming so hard to battle. The more the technology becomes booming the more these viruses become more notorious.
6). Combating Viruses with Security Software
Do you know the difference between a worm, a Trojan, and spyware? When selecting your security software know exactly what it will do.
7). The Importance of Parental Control Software
Protecting children is the responsibility of every parent, and it is vital for them to keep up with the ever changing threats faced by children as they navigate the Internet. Perhaps the most important tool to help with this is Parental Control software.