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email or instant message. Fraudsters often forge these links to make
them look convincing.
A shopping, banking or any other Web site where sensitive
information should have an "S" after the letters "http" (i.e.
https://
www.yourbank.com
not
http://www.yourbank.com
). The "s" stands
for secure and should appear when you are in an area requesting
you to login or provide other sensitive data. Another sign that you
have a secure connection is the small lock icon in the bottom of your
web browser (usually the right-hand corner).
• Pay attention to privacy policies on Web sites and in software. It is
important to understand how an organization might collect and use
your personal information before you share it with them.
• Guard your email address. Spammers and "phishers" sometimes
send millions of messages to email addresses that may or may not
exist in hopes of finding a potential victim. Responding to these
messages or even downloading images ensures you will be added to
their lists for more of the same messages in the future. Also be
careful when posting your email address online in newsgroups,
blogs or online communities.
Online offers that look too good to be true usually are
The old saying "there's no such thing as a free lunch" still rings true
today. Supposedly "free" software such as screen savers or smileys,
secret investment tricks sure to make you untold fortunes, and
contests that you've surprisingly won without entering are the
enticing hooks used by companies to grab your attention.
