Consumer Advice | acs60560

We want you to be safe

Don't open emails when you are not sure who they are from.
Never open attachments that come in emails unless you know and trust the sender.
When you get popups on your computer saying "buy this" to fix a problem you can pretty much be sure that it is not safe to do.
Backup your data. A USB flash drive or external hard drive is an excellent way to backup your important data.
Never give any personal information out over the internet or telephone. Examples: passwords, phone number, social security number, bank account numbers, address, etc.
Make sure your firewall in enabled.
Keep your anti-virus software updated. Enable the auto-update if you virus protection offers that feature. If not, update your program every time you turn on your computer.
Only download software, videos, music, pictures, etc from sources you know and trust.
Turn off your computer at night and when not in use for extended periods of time.
Change your passwords periodically, at least every six months. Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create a more secure password. For more information and tips see the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team.
Different site, different password. Use a unique passwords for each site you sign into, E-mail, banking, shopping.
Anyone can forget a password. Keep a list that's stored in a safe, secure place away from your computer.
Protect your money. When banking and shopping, check to be sure the sites is security enabled. Look for web addresses with "https://" or "shttp://", which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. "http://" is not secure.
Ask the person you hire to do a job if they are a member of the Association of Computer Repair Business Owners.