Get Net Safe - Stay Safe Online
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-10-23 11:48:32.299925-04:00
If you're like more than half of 40+ computer users in the New York City area, you may be at risk for being "phished."
In a phishing scam, online thieves go fishing for your personal information. They send an amazingly real-looking email, claiming to be a company you know (sometimes a bank, an internet service provider, a credit card company, or an online payment site—among others).
They ask you to provide personal information—perhaps because "your account has lapsed" or "you need to reactivate your account." Phishers will link you to a site that looks nearly identical to the real site—except that it's a scam. The thieves will use the information entered to open new accounts in your name—in short, stealing your identity.
According to a recent AARP survey, "Caught in the NET: A Survey of New York City Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety," 54% of computer users surveyed couldn't identify a phishing scam. Those respondents thought their bank might actually send an email asking them to verify account information.
"Your bank and your credit cards already have your account information," said Lois Aronstein, State Director of AARP New York. "They'll never contact you to ask for it. Never, ever, respond to anyone who asks you for personal information—whether it's on line, by phone, or in person. Treat your information just like cash—protect it from those who would take it."
As part of its continuing work to fight fraud, AARP is proud to be part of the Get Net Safe tour. A collaboration between AARP, Microsoft, the Federal Trade Commission, and other national sponsors, the nationwide tour seeks to raise awareness among computer users about what threats exist, and more importantly, empower them to protect themselves. AARP New York, Microsoft, and the Geek Squad hosted two events in New York City to give computer users the tools they need to protect themselves and their computers.
AARP offers these additional tips to help protect your computer and your personal information online:
- Use strong passwords
They should be at least 8 characters long and include letters, numbers and symbols—for example, 5pec!al or si!!ysa!!y. - Think first, click later
Don't open emails or attachments from someone you don't know, and beware of following links in emails, instant messages, or pop-ups. - Check that Web sites protect your data
Look for "https" in the url line (the "s" means it's a secure site), a lock or unbroken key in the lower right corner—and understand the privacy policy of the site before you give any information. - Beef up your computer's defenses
Use a firewall, install anti-virus and anti-spyware software, spam filters, and pop-up blockers. Keep them all up-to-date. - Report abuse
Report internet fraud to the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center. Report all kinds of consumer fraud to the Federal Trade Commission by calling: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
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