Internet -
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rarely possible, the following list contains some advice for how to
share personal information safely online:
• Keep an eye out for phony email messages. Things that indicate a
message may be fraudulent are misspellings, poor grammar, odd
phrasings, Web site addresses with strange extensions, Web site
addresses that are entirely numbers where there are normally
words, and anything else out of the ordinary. Additionally, phishing
messages will often tell you that you have to act quickly to keep
your account open, update your security, or urge you to provide
information immediately or else something bad will happen. Don't
take the bait.
• Don't respond to email messages that ask for personal information.
Legitimate companies will not use email messages to ask for your
personal information. When in doubt, contact the company by
phone or by typing in the company Web address into your Web
browser. Don't click on the links in these messages as they make
take you to fraudulent, malicious Web sites.
• Steer clear of fraudulent Web sites used to steal personal
information. When visiting a Web site, type the address (URL)
directly into the Web browser rather than following a link within an
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
