| We live in a digital world. Even if our careers don't | | | | SPAM |
| include the everyday use of computers (which is | | | | It's not canned meat! It's simply electronic junk mail. I |
| unlikely), the information of our lives is being stored on | | | | learned recently that only about 12% of emails |
| a server somewhere - you can count on it! For most | | | | received are legitimate and welcome. Whatever email |
| of us, computer usage is not optional. With the | | | | program you use (such as Microsoft Outlook), make |
| increased dependency on our computers and their | | | | sure you've set up your junk filters to help you. |
| resident software programs, and the critical position of | | | | However, don't depend on these filters to always be |
| email communication, we simply cannot afford to | | | | right; I've had to fish a lot of email out of the junk folder |
| overlook the dangers of this digital world. | | | | that went there by mistake. Just right-click on the email |
| Let's look at some top concerns: | | | | and change the status to "Add this sender to the Safe |
| Identity Theft | | | | Sender list." That should be enough to keep future |
| Most of us have either been a victim of identity theft, | | | | good emails from a trusted sender out of the junk |
| or we personally know someone who has. Identity | | | | folder. |
| theft is the number one revenue generator for | | | | Again, just use some common sense and don't sign up |
| organized crime and in the USA alone, an identity is | | | | for everything you see on the internet by giving out |
| stolen every 3 seconds. You do the math. | | | | your email address. If you simply can't help yourself, |
| Primarily, our identity is stolen via our credit card info, | | | | get a special email account with Gmail or Yahoo, just |
| Social Security number, medical records, and driver's | | | | for the express purpose of your "surf and sign up" |
| license info, although there are other methods as well. | | | | habit. |
| There are many good products that can be | | | | Data Protection |
| purchased for a small monthly fee to help protect our | | | | Three rules here: |
| identities. Just do a Google search on "How to Avoid | | | | 1. Backup |
| Identity Theft" and you'll see some good choices. It's a | | | | 2. Backup |
| wise investment. | | | | 3. Backup |
| Viruses | | | | I think you get the point. |
| As recently as last week, I inadvertently opened an | | | | There are actually three methods: |
| email attachment that contained a virus; I had to call in | | | | None (not recommended!) |
| an expert to help clean up the mess. And I know | | | | Local - This would include flash drives (also known as |
| better! A virus is defined as a "program or piece of | | | | jump drives), external hard drives or any other device |
| code that is loaded onto your computer without your | | | | with a removable disk. |
| knowledge, and runs itself and has the ability to | | | | Off-site |
| replicate itself." Malware, spyware, adware, worms, | | | | Anything is better than nothing, but the off-site option is |
| Trojan horses...they're all first cousins and wear a wide | | | | the very best. There are some companies that are |
| variety of masks, some easier to detect than others. | | | | very well known with bargain-basement prices. Again, |
| It's essential that you have anti-virus software running | | | | something is better than nothing, but I would not |
| in the background with current virus definitions. NEVER | | | | recommend trusting your mission-critical data to one of |
| open attachments from unknown sources and just be | | | | these companies. They do a good job overall, but a |
| on the alert for anything suspicious. Ask your local | | | | more robust backup platform is recommended when |
| computer technician or an expert which programs are | | | | the loss of your data would cripple you or even put |
| recommended. Some are free and do a pretty good | | | | you out of business. |
| job. I personally use a free version of AVG. | | | | |