Computer Security
A firewall is a barrier between the internet and your computer that protects your computer from harmful attacks that linger out in the online land.
Spyware is a bug that was downloaded on your computer with or without your consent. Spyware infections usually show up in the form of non stop pop ups, hijacked browser (where your browser takes you to other sites than the one you want), and slow preformance of your computer.
For more details on firewalls and spyware, please click here.
We all know that passwords are a pain to remember, but in the long run, you will be happy that they are required. There are many malicious hackers out there in the world today and having a complicated password is just one step to making it even more difficult for them to get your personal information.
A couple of tips on protecting yourself with your passwords are:
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Make the password as long in length as you can.
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Use numbers and letters.
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If the form is case sensitive, make some characters upper case and some lower case.
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Do not use generic passwords such as the word password, 123456789, any part of your name, address, birthday, phone number.
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Try to make the password at least seven (7) characters in length
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Any additional password characters such as * is more complicated to figure out.
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Never give out your password to anyone (not even to the bank).
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Do not write your passwords down to where someone could easily see them. Hide them in a safe spot or get a program on your computer to store them.
Need a little help determining how good your password is? Click here to go to Microsoft's password checker.
Phishing is a scam that is used mainly through e-mails in which they are trying to offer something that seems too good to be true. In the e-mails, there is usually a link that "need" to click on to claim a prize or whatever they are offering. Once the link is clicked, the new site that comes up will prompt for verification your personal information. Once personal information is entered, the scammers behind the phishing e-mail will then use the sensitive information for financial gain.
Pharming is the practice of hijacking a web site where a FI's customer will input their sensitive information such as login credentials and bank account information. The hijacker will then use the sensitive information for financial gain.
For more information on phishing and pharming, please click here.
