Important Email Security Tips You Should Know About

1. Use Separate Email Accounts

If you’re like most people, your email account is probably the centralized hub of your personal activity. All of your Facebook notifications, website registrations, newsletters, messages, etc. get sent to your email box, right? That means you’re putting all of your eggs in one basket – if that basket happens to fall, you’ll lose all your eggs with it.

In other words, if you bring all of your activity into a single email account, what happens when someone breaks into it? I’d say it’s plausible that they would gain access to everything else. This is why you should use multiple email accounts.

Having separate email accounts will not only help boost your security, but also your productivity. Imagine if you could consolidate all of your work emails into a single work account; all of your friends and family communicate with your personal account; you have a recreational account for various websites; and a throwaway account for potential spam links. This way, if someone hacks your work account, all of your personal emails are still safe.

2. Create A Unique Password

Going along with the multiple account idea, you should also have an entirely unique password for each of your email accounts. Even if you decide to keep one “master” email account, make sure that its password is 100% unique.

Using one password for all of your accounts is a rookie-level mistake. Suppose someone did hack into your personal email and they see all of your incoming Facebook notifications, eBay reminders, and more. Any half-wit hacker will test those accounts with the same password as your email account–and in your case, they would succeed.

This is common advice, I know, but so many people still neglect it. Admittedly, for the longest time, I too used the same password for literally every account that I had. When one of my friends figured out my password (without messing with anything, thankfully), I knew it was time to wise up.

3. Beware Of Phishing Scams

When dealing with a particular company or product that requires account information, have you ever seen the following message: “Never give away your personal information. We will never ask you for your password.” When someone sends you an email asking you for your personal information, you know right away that it’s a trick.

But there’s another level to this scam and it’s called “phishing.” Basically, malicious users will imitate and impersonate high-profile websites (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Facebook, etc.) and say that they’re experiencing trouble with your account; all you have to do to fix it is to send them your username and password to verify your authenticity. Sometimes they’ll even link you to a false website that looks exactly like the real thing.

Be wary. In fact, whenever your personal information is ever brought up in a non-face-to-face capacity, your scam detector should go off loud and clear.

4. Never Click Links In Emails

Phishing brings me to my next point. Whenever you see a link in an email, 99% of the time you should not click on it. The only exceptions are when you’re expecting a particular email, such as a forum registration link or game account activation email. Things like that.

If you receive a spam email that tries to sell you a particular service or product, never click on any of the links inside. You never know where they’ll lead you. Sometimes they might be safe; other times they’ll bring you straight to the doors of hell and swarm you with malware and viruses.

If you get an email from your bank or any other service (e.g., bill payments), always visit the website manually. No copy and paste. No direct clicking. You’ll thank yourself later.

5. Do Not Open Unsolicited Attachments

Attachments are a tricky thing when it comes to email. If you’re expecting something from a buddy or an uncle, then sure, go ahead and open the attachment. Have a laugh at the funny photo they sent you. It’s all good when you know the person sending the attachment.

But if the email is unsolicited, never open any attachments. Even if the file looks innocent, you could be in for a world of hurt. Filenames can be spoofed. JPEGs could be EXEs in disguise and those EXEs will run as soon as they’re downloaded. And then you’ll have a virus on your hands.

6. Scan For Viruses & Malware

If you open an email and it seems suspicious in any way, go ahead and run a malware and virus scanner. Not every spam email will infect you with a virus and it may seem like overkill to run a malware scanner every time you open a fishy email, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. The one time that you decide to let it go could be the time your computer loads a keylogger.

7. Avoid Public Wi-Fi

And lastly, avoid checking your email when you’re on public Internet. Yes, I know that when you’re waiting for an airplane to reach your gate, it can be tempting to whip out your smartphone or laptop and check for new messages. Unfortunately, public Wi-Fi can be extremely insecure.

There are programs out there called “network sniffers” that run passively in the background of some hacker’s device. The sniffer monitors all of the wireless data flowing through a particular network – and that data can be analyzed for important information. Like your username and password.

It’s strange that as the years go by, security grows tighter in some ways and we remain just as vulnerable as we’ve always been in other ways. Email security comes down to common sense and careful decisions. Don’t let laziness and convenience overshadow your desire for protection and peace.

19 essential tips to stay safe on Twitter

Twitter is a virtual and public place. As a social network, it’s more open than Facebook or G+, as it’s designed to share and discuss events and opinions of all kinds, without filters or barriers. Anyone can follow you and you can follow anyone. In this sense, there are very few restrictions.

Due to its public nature, Twitter is also one of the most dangerous social networks for your personal privacy and security. But that doesn’t mean that you’re doomed: follow the tips below to tweet safely.

Check suspicious links
Most tweets have shortened links. Occasionally, these links lead to dangerous places, like fake forms or viruses that are downloaded onto your browser. Since clicking where we shouldn’t is the main cause for malware infection on social networks, avoid clicking on links you don’t trust.

Use a unique, strong password for Twitter
The greatest security mistake you can make is to repeat passwords across multiple services, because if a hacker gets hold of one of your passwords, trying it in multiple accounts is the first thing a hacker will try. That is why you must pick a unique and secure password for Twitter. Too lazy? Use a password manager.

Don’t share your account with others
Sharing your account with others is very tempting and even fun, if that’s the whole purpose of the account. But if you care about your account information, don’t ever share your password with somebody you don’t fully trust: the more people know your password, the more likely it is it will be stolen.

Enable two-step verification on your mobile
If you enable two-step verification, you’ll have to enter a code that is sent to your phone every time you try to access your account from a new computer or phone. So, even if someone knows the password to access your account, they won’t be able to access it. To enable two-step verification on Twitter

Enable personal information verification to reset the password
Another good idea is to make Twitter ask you for personal information when you forget your password. If you tick the box on the Security menu, you will be prompted to enter your email and your phone number. It’s more reliable than just asking for the username.

Remove unknown apps from your Twitter account
The app to see who’s not following you anymore, the photo app, the chat… There are loads of apps that want access to your Twitter account, and sometimes we grant permission without really thinking about it. The result? If an evil app sneaks in with the good ones, your data will be in danger.

From time to time, check the list of apps that have access to your account from the application settings menu: just click on ‘Revoke Access’ and the app will be disconnected instantly, unable to continue reading your data. If you click on the wrong one, click again and it will be restored.

Pay attention to the signs of a compromised account
There are a number of signs that indicate that your Twitter account is compromised. Some of these signs are:

• You have been notified that you have sent direct messages that you didn’t
• You get answers to tweets you don’t remember sending
• You follow, or stop following, accounts you don’t remember
• You receive non-requested or strange security notifications
• The appearance of your profile has changed, but you didn’t do it.
• If you see these signs, revoke the authorization of unknown apps (previous tip) and change your password immediately. And remember you can always use a password manager.

Don’t reply to emails that ask for your password
It could be possible that, taking advantage of the panic caused by a recent password theft, you receive an email that looks like it was sent by Twitter. If the email asks you to send your current password or write it in some form, ignore the message. In general, be wary of any suspicious email: if you haven’t asked for it, don’t click.

Download a backup of your tweets periodically
Imagine that someone accesses your account and then closes it. Or that you authorize an app that deletes half of your posts. That could be a disaster, especially if you use your account for work. Luckily, you can download full backups of your Twitter profile from the account menu. When the file is ready, you’ll receive an email with the download link.

Block those who bother or offend you
Your time is too valuable to waste it ignoring the responses of anonymous trolls. Twitter will let you block any user at any time: when you block them, the messages you have exchanged disappear from your account, and the other person won’t be able to send you tweets or tag you.

Prevent others from finding you by your email address
Your email account is a separate universe that shouldn’t be mixed with that of Twitter. When you uncheck this box, no one can find you by your email. Ideal if you don’t want your ex, creditors or customers to find your anonymous profile.

Disable photo tagging
Someone tagging you without permission can be very annoying. If you think something like that could violate your privacy, go on to privacy settings and choose whether you want to be tagged by anyone, only those who you follow or no one. You decide.

Disable tailored ads
Internet advertising is becoming increasingly intelligent and increasingly disturbing. This is called ‘behavior-based advertising’, which guesses your interests from the content you share and access online. Twitter does too, but you can disable it here.

Disable the geolocation of your tweets
For some years now, Twitter lets you attach geographic information to your tweets (via GPS). It has never been very helpful, and could be a privacy risk. Imagine, for example, that a potential thief discovers that you are temporarily tweeting from a different country: it’s an open invitation to rob your house. Disable this function from the privacy settings.

Flag inappropriate tweets, ads or images
You can also help make the internet a more secure and pleasant place. When you see images or inappropriate messages you can flag them so Twitter can take action. Don’t RT or answer messages that are clearly dangerous or illegal: just use the link to flag the message.

If you are threatened, report to Twitter and the authorities
Cyber bullying is a serious issue. If someone harasses you, threatens or verbally assaults you via Twitter, report the problems using this form. At the same time and if you consider your physical safety is at risk, contact the authorities. For impersonation, use this other form.

Think before you post personal information
Anything you post on Twitter that includes personal data could be used against you. Think before posting any of this information on Twitter. Advice? Use tools like Hootsuite, which allows you to schedule posts and follow their impact easily.

If you don’t want to worry, protect your tweets
This lock is a classic feature, and offers a way to have control over who follows you. When activated, from the security settings page, your Twitter profile will become as private as Facebook, with the exception that you can’t pick and choose who sees your tweets: all publications will be private, and only your approved followers will be able to see them.

Follow the Twitter rules
You also must be a good Twitter ‘citizen’. If you don’t want your account to be blocked, you must follow its rules: don’t impersonate another person or brand, don’t post other people’s confidential information, don’t threaten anyone, don’t violate any copyrights and don’t use Twitter for illegal purposes. If you are blocked, you can appeal the decision.

Above all, don’t let panic take over
Twitter is a public place, but it’s a safe one. If you don’t attract the attention of the bad guys, you use a good password and don’t post any compromising data, the chances of something bad happening to you are close to none.

5 Tips for Safe Chatting

Aside from the endless hours we spend on Gchat at work, online chatting is mostly a kid’s game. But the responsibility falls on adults to know the basics of safe chatting so that they can educate their children. It can be difficult to get the point across to your kids that online chatting can be a dangerous pastime, so here are five tips to help accomplish that task.

• Protect Your Identity: 

Don’t choose an online ID that uses your real name, and never give any information during a chat that can be used to identify or locate you. This includes your last name, photos of you, what school you go to, where you hang out, and locational information such as your state, city and, obviously, your street address.

• Trust No One: 

It’s fine to chat with your friends online, but know that people online are sometimes not who they say they are, so you should never meet anyone in person who you only know online. Even if you’re sure you know who someone is, remember that predators are really good at creating personas to deceive kids.

• Chat Rooms vs. IMing: 

You should always use a secure chat room, but even those aren’t completely safe just because they are observed by moderators, as that won’t stop some people from starting inappropriate conversations and saying things that can make you feel uncomfortable. And IM chats aren’t necessarily safe either; don’t accept a chat invitation from anyone you don’t know personally, and never give your IM or chat password out to anyone, including friends.

• Talk to your Parents: 

Parents need to talk to their kids about what type of chat rooms they are using, and what kinds of conversations are appropriate. Allowing kids to chat only with people that both the kids and the parents know personally is a safe approach. Kids need to feel free to talk to their parents when a chat starts to become uncomfortable or inappropriate.

• Keep your Guard Up: 

When it comes to online chat, never let your guard down. There are a ton of predators out there who are really good at deceiving and earning the trust of children, so both parents and kids alike need to always be vigilant about who they are chatting with, what they are chatting about, and what information they are sharing. 

10 online and mobile security tips

As more people bank and shop online, proper internet security is more important than ever. Safeguarding your information can be as simple as consistently reviewing your bank accounts and reporting any suspicious activity. But there are a number of other things you can do to stay safer online. Here are ten tips to help protect you and your money.

Use strong passwords

A strong password (one that is not easily guessed by a human or computer) will have eight or more characters, including letters, numbers and symbols. Make sure to use different user IDs and passwords for your financial accounts and for any other sites you use online. Check out our best tips for creating a strong password.

Be mindful of the numbers you use

Don’t use any part of your Social Security number (or any other sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or birthdays) as a password, user ID or personal identification number (PIN). If someone gains access to this information, it may be among the first things used to try to get into your account.

Look out for strange emails

Don’t respond to emails that claim to be from your bank (or any other company) requesting your account details. No bank is ever likely to approach you this way to ask for personal information.

Beware email attachments

It’s never a good idea to click on email attachments or free software from unknown sources. You could end up exposing your computer (and the information on it) to online fraud and theft. Keep in mind that links you receive in emails or in messages on social networking sites can be harmful or fraudulent, even if they appear to come from friends.

Watch how much you share online

The more you post about yourself on social networking sites, the easier it might be for someone to use that information to access your accounts, steal your identity and more. Maximizing your privacy settings on social networking sites can also help protect your personal information.

Be careful about what (and where) you click

Look for security-enables website addresses that start with “https” (the extra “s” indicates security). These sites take extra measures to help secure your information. This is particularly important if you’re making purchases using your credit card. If you receive requests for personal information while surfing the web, or calls for immediate action, these are almost always scams. If you suspect a link might give you a virus or steal personal data, don’t click on it. If the link was sent to you, talk to the sender directly to verify where it came from.

Secure your smartphone

Many mobile devices give you the option of locking your screen, which helps keep data stored on them secure. Depending on your phone, this can come in the form of a passcode, a pattern you draw on your phone’s touch screen or even your fingerprint.

Don’t keep sensitive information on your phone

Sensitive information includes your bank account numbers, identification information, passwords and other personal details such as answers to your security questions. If you bank via mobile app, don’t worry. Banks won’t expose your account information or passwords.

Think before you download apps

It’s a good idea to review the privacy policy and understand what personal data an app can access before you download. It’s best to purchase or download apps from authorized stores.

Keep your technology up to date

Make sure to update your computer’s operating system, your internet browser and the software on your mobile devices. Updates generally include the latest security patches. Be sure to also use antivirus and anti-spyware software: These programs help find and remove malicious programs from your computer.

By following these online and mobile security tips, you can help protect your personal information from falling into the wrong hands. If you suspect information related to your bank account has been compromised, contact your bank immediately for assistance addressing the issue.

4 Cardinal Twitter Safety Tips for Teens and Tweens

Twitter is now the second largest social networking website on the planet. Still, there remains a lot of room to grow for this social network. Internet security and how it relates to Twitter continues to be a hot topic. 

Follow these steps to optimize your account security when using Twitter:

Change Passwords Regularly

As with almost any other website, frequently changing the password is a good way of staying safe. Sometimes, passwords are stolen by computer hackers. In other cases, someone may simply figure out what your password is if they see you type it in or if it is just too obvious. Thus, changing the password on a regular basis can help minimize the chances of the account being compromised.

Here are some other best practices teens can use for optimal password security:

Avoid anything on a list of most common user passwords - sequences of numbers like 123456, names of family members or pets, or the word "password" itself should all be avoided.

Don't make a password too short. Generally eight characters is considered the minimum for security.
Lowercase and capital letters matter in passwords, so mix both in.

Adding numbers to the password is also a very good way to improve security, though try to avoid things like birthdays.

Ideally you would choose a series of numbers and letters that don't spell out anything - something like "ix5SgB2QEn6".

It's important to use different usernames and passwords on different sites.

Reserve Your Real Name 

Twitter offers usernames on a first come, first serve basis. You should consider reserving an account that includes your real name even if you do not plan on immediately using it. You can always tweet under a different name, but saving your real name for a future time when your tweets may be more carefully reviewed costs you nothing and could be of a real benefit to you. 

Make Tweets Private 

Check the settings of your Twitter account to enable tweets to only be accessible to your own followers. This will ensure that anyone who perhaps locates your Twitter account through an Internet search is unable to access any tweets that have been posted. This can be achieved by going into your account settings and checking the "Protect My Tweets" feature, located under Security and Privacy < Privacy Tweet < Privacy.

Be Wary of What You Write

The trouble with this specific social network is that people feel that their tweets are directly written to just their followers and the nature of the network can leave users to feel comfortable tweeting anything and everything. The network operates as a kind of press conference of personal thoughts delivered from a user to their network. 

Twitter is indeed designed for short little thoughts and burst of information. However, not carefully considering what is being written there is how so many people get in trouble. Oversharing is a major concern with this kind of social network. Even if a Twitter user utilizes privacy settings, making tweets available only to followers, any follower has the ability to screen shot a tweet and, thus, make a tweet permanent on the Internet.

Twitter can be an excellent means for teens and tweens to express themselves, further connect with their peers, develop interests, and explore other ways of thinking. However, as with all social networks, safety precautions must be made in order to make sure that digital dangers are minimized. Parents may rest assured that kids are safe online through the use of a tool like uKnowKids, which enables them to keep tabs on kids' mobile and digital activities.

10 Facebook Safety and Security Tips for Teens

Facebook can be a scary place if you're not careful

While many people are fully aware of all the dangers associated with Facebook and other social networks, many teens are just now getting their first account and exploring their new freedoms.

Unfortunately, there are bad guys out there who seek to exploit these new Facebook members. Follow these safety and security tips to help make your Facebook experience a safer one:

1. Don't Register For an Account Until You're 13

While you may want an account when your 11 or 12, Facebook specifically forbids anyone younger than 13 from registering. If they find out you are lying about your age they may terminate your account and all of your content including your pictures.

2. Don't Use Your Real First or Middle Name

Facebook's policy forbids fake names but does allow for nicknames as your first or middle name. Don't use your full legal name because doing so could help predators and identity thieves obtain more information about you. Check out Facebook's Help Center for more guidance on what names are permitted

3. Set Strong Privacy Settings.

While you may want to be a social butterfly, you need to set your Facebook privacy settings so that not just anyone can see your profile and content. It is best to only make the details of your profile available to people you have already "accepted" as your friends.

4. Don't Post any Contact Information on Your Profile

Don't make your personal e-mail or your cellphone number viewable on your profile. If you do post this info it's possible that a rogue Facebook application or hacker could use this information to SPAM or torment you. I recommend not even allowing your Facebook friends to have this info. Your real friends will have your cell phone number and a-mail anyway. The less exposure the better.

5. Don't Ever Post Your Location or That You Are Home Alone

Criminals and predators could use your location information to track you down. You might think that only your friends would have access to this information, but if your friends' account is left logged in on a public computer or their account gets hacked then strangers will now have your location information. Never ever post that you are home alone.

6. Report Any Abusive Postings or Harassment

If you ever feel threatened by anyone on Facebook or someone is harassing you by sending unwanted Facebook messages or posting something abusive on your public wall, report it by clicking the "report abuse" link on the post. If someone posts a picture of you that you don't like, you have the right and the ability to 'untag' yourself.

7. Create a Strong Password For Your Account And Don't Share it with ANYONE

If your password is too simple, someone could easily guess it and break into your account. You should never provide anyone with your password. Always make sure that you log out of Facebook completely if your using a public computer in a Library or school computer lab.

8. Be Smart About What You Post

There are some things you should never post on Facebook. When you post something, always remember that it can affect other people and could be used against you in the future, so be smart.

Just because you delete something on Facebook after you say it, doesn't mean someone didn't take a screen shot of it before you had the chance to remove it. If you post something embarrassing about yourself or others, it may come back to haunt you in the future when you apply for a job or try to get into a college that checks Facebook profiles. If you don't feel comfortable enough saying something in front of someone then it's probably best not to post it online either.

9. Keep an Eye Out For Facebook Scams And Rogue Applications

Not all Facebook apps are made by good people. Usually a Facebook app will require access to parts of your profile as a condition of using it. If you give an app access and it's a bad application then you might have just opened yourself up for SPAM or worse. If in doubt, check it out by Googling the app's name followed by "scam" to see if there is any reported shenanigans.

10. If Your Account Gets Hacked, report it IMMEDIATELY!!

Don't be too embarrassed to report your account getting hacked by someone. It's important that you report the hack immediately. Hackers may try and impersonate you using your hacked account for the purpose of getting your friends to fall for their scams. Check out How to Tell a Facebook Friend From a Facebook Hacker for more information.

TOP 10 INTERNET SAFETY TIPS

Children spend twice as long online as their parents think they do and start using the internet at the average age of three, a study has found.

The survey disclosed that parents are rarely aware of their children’s internet activity.

While three quarters believe their child spends less than an hour a day online, children admit that they are actually surfing the web for an average of two hours a day.

Although two thirds said they had had a negative experience online, only 22 per cent of parents realised this.

Talking to your child is essential in keeping them internet savvy and safe. We need to teach our children to be sceptical and get them to ask questions before they consider any actions online, just as they should do off line. 

Here we share our 10 most important things to talk to your children about: 

1)      Don’t post any personal information online: your address, email address or mobile number.

2)      Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself.  Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online, most people can see it and may be able to download it; it’s not just yours anymore.

3)      Keep their privacy settings as high as possible (see safe search lock below).

4)      Explain to them, never give out your passwords.

5)      Don’t befriend people you don’t know.

6)      Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. 

7)      Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.

8)      Think carefully about what you say before you post something online.

9)      Respect other people’s views - even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views there is no need to be rude.

10)   Explain to them, if they see something online that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried, leave the website, turn off your computer and come and go and talk to a parent. 

Finally, encourage your children to be as open and honest as they can about what they are viewing and talking about online. Try and be as much a part of your child’s virtual world as possible, ‘friend’ them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter. Ask questions about anything new they have read about online and keep the dialogue open.

If there is one thing that you should do straight away, it’s set your Safe Search Lock settings.

SafeSearchLock is a conveniently simple web safety tool designed to AUTOMATICALLY enforce and LOCK ON the child safety 'strict safe search' content screening features offered by ALL major search engines and other key content providers, providing a considerably safer online environment for young children to explore and enjoy.

LinkedIn Security: 5 Tips For Keeping Your Data Safe

With many high-profile data breaches taking center stage in recent weeks, LinkedIn wants to make sure users know all of the ways to keep their personal-account information private.

While a series of automatic checks already protect all LinkedIn accounts, designed to thwart unauthorized sign-in attempts and keep users' data safe, you can take several additional steps to ensure your account is totally protected, including:

1. Update "Privacy Settings" to understand how you're sharing your information: In addition to the built-in security features, there are some additional privacy settings users can turn on or off, depending on what they want to share, display and receive. These setting options include:

• Turn your activity broadcasts on or off: If you don't want your connections to see when you make changes to your profile, follow companies or recommend connections, uncheck this option.
• Select what others can see when you've viewed their profile: When you visit other profiles on LinkedIn, those people can then see your name, photo and headline. If you want a higher level of privacy, you can choose to only display anonymous profile information, or show up as an anonymous LinkedIn member, to people whose pages you've visited.
• Select who can see your connections: You can share your connections' names with your other first-degree connections, or you can make your connections list visible only to you.
• Change your profile photo and visibility: You can choose to have your photo displayed only to your first-degree connections, only to your network or to everyone who views your profile.

2. Opt into Two-Step Verification to prevent other people from accessing your account: Two-step verification requires a person to use more than one form of verification to access an account, usually by "knowing something," such as a password, and by "having something," such as a mobile device that the account already knows. Two-step verification is a much stronger form of account protection. It can greatly reduce identity theft and unauthorized access to sensitive information since most accounts become compromised from new or unknown computers or devices. LinkedIn offers members the ability to turn on two-step verification for their accounts. This will require an account password and a numeric code sent to your phone via SMS whenever you attempt to sign in from a device that your LinkedIn account does not recognize.

3. Opt into Secure Browsing (HTTPS) for extra protection against unauthorized access to your Internet activity and to ensure you're connected to the real LinkedIn website: A good indicator of a protected connection on a website is an "https://" connection. While LinkedIn automatically secures a connection when you are on certain pages that require sensitive information (such as using a credit card), you also have the option to turn on this protected connection when viewing any page across LinkedIn.

4. Keep your password up to date to help safeguard your LinkedIn account: Best practices for password security include:

• Change your password every few months.
• Don't use the same password on all the sites you visit.
• Don't use a word from the dictionary.
• Think of a meaningful phrase, song or quote and turn it into a complex password using the first letter of each word.
• Randomly add capital letters, punctuation or symbols.
• Substitute numbers for letters that look similar (for example, substitute "0" for "O" or "3" for "E").
• Never give your password to others or write it down.
• Sign out of your account after you use a publicly shared computer.

5. Watch out for phishing and spam emails requesting personal or sensitive information: Phishing is a common tactic that criminals use to try and steal your information, and your money, so you should always be on the lookout for fraudulent emails. LinkedIn will never ask for users' sensitive personal or financial information via email. To confirm whether or not a message is really from LinkedIn, here are a few things to look for:

• All valid LinkedIn messages will contain a security footer.
• In general, it's not a good practice to open any attachments or click any links in an email that seems suspicious, or that is from a person or company you don't know.

A few indicators should raise your suspicions that an email claiming to be from LinkedIn is not legitimate:

• The message tells you to open an email attachment or install a software update. LinkedIn will never ask you to do this.
• The message contains bad spelling and grammar.
• The message contains a threat of some kind, such as, "Your account will be deleted unless you act right away."

Before clicking on any links within an email, move the cursor over the links to see where they actually direct you. If an email claiming to be from LinkedIn directs you anywhere but back to the LinkedIn website, you can treat the message as a phishing attempt.

6 Ways to Avoid Telemarketing Fraud

1.    Don't Call Me. 
The first rule of telemarketing safety is to ignore pleas and pitches of anyone who calls you uninvited, including sales people, charities and even companies with whom you already do business. You have no way to confirm they are who they say they are. Don't rely on your caller ID, either. That can be faked.  

2.    Give Them Nothing. 
Fraudsters are hunting for information. Your best defense is to tell them nothing, and I mean nothing. If they try to confirm your name, don't tell them. If they ask if your spouse is home, don't reply. If they want to verify your address, hang up. Any bit of information you give to scammers, including even your name, can be a tool they use to part you from your money or otherwise harm you.

3.    I'll Call You. 
If the callers insist they have to speak with you — for example, they are from your bank and need to give you important information — tell them you will call them directly. At this point, fraudsters will often offer a phone number for you to call as proof they are who they say they are. Don't believe them. Instead of accepting the phone number they offer, you're much safer looking up the number independently — in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet. If the caller says he's with a company that you're already doing business with — such as a utility or phone company — you can also call the number on the monthly billing statement. 

4.    Stay Alert. 
Even if you initiate the call, you might not be safe. Before you give any personal or financial information over the phone, check out the company's credentials — ask the person to mail you information, check with the Better Business Bureau, take a look at the company's website and ask for references. 

5.    Take Your Time. 
Scammers often try to create a false deadline. If you feel pressured to make a decision, hang up. You've spent a lifetime earning your money. You deserve a little time to choose how to spend it.

6.    Be Part of the Solution. 
You can help prevent others from falling victim to scammers. The early warning system for the Cyber Crime Department is every one of us. If you've received a call, mailing or email you think might be from a scammer, report the incident to the Cyber Crime Department.

7 ways to keep your devices safe while travelling

It’s almost that time of the year again. You’ve worked hard and now it’s time to relax and enjoy a well-earned holiday. But, before you get to lay by the pool there’s a couple of things to think about so as your information stays safe, no matter if you’re travelling home or abroad. 

While you are already benefiting from security features developed to protect your personal data such as passwords, usernames, and credit card numbers it’s always good to be proactive and consider how you will ensure your private details stay private while you enjoy a carefree break.

Here’s our 7 top tips to keep your devices secure while travelling:

Get the latest updates for your smartphone or device.

One of the first line of defense is keeping up-to-date with the latest updates for your device. Ensuring security measures are fully updated on old and new devices is wise.

Old and obsolete security leaves your gadgets vulnerable to thieves and hackers. And since you use your device for all kinds of personal transactions on your mobile device, maintaining a solid level of security is one of the best things you can do.

Activate auto lock and Password protection on your devices before Leaving.

If you haven’t been using password protection and your devices auto lock features now’s the time to start. It’s a good way to ensure that if you accidentally leave your laptop or phone unattended, or it’s lost or stolen, a would-be criminal will have a much harder time getting into your device if there’s a password set. It’s simple and easy to do and could prevent unwanted access to your life.

Turn off Bluetooth connectivity

Bluetooth is a great feature to use in the car or at home, after all it’s pretty safe to communicate with other electronic devices. However, most of us forget to turn Bluetooth off when we are in public places, especially when we travel.

With Bluetooth connectivity left open, anyone sitting nearby in a hotel lobby or nearby coffee shop can pick up your signal and access your phone. This can happen with speed and without your knowledge so the only way to avoid the threat is to keep this feature turned off while you’re on holidays.

Only Use secure Wi-Fi

This is probably one of the most important measures to take especially if you’re traveling abroad this summer. Other countries don’t have the same regulations on public Wi-Fi as Central Europe does, so sticking to a password-protected network, like the ones offered at most hotels, is your safest option if you need to access the Internet.

Similarly, if you use a public computer to access your email or check your flight details, always make sure you’ve logged out of your account before leaving. Look for the HTTPS extension at the beginning of the URL to ensure it is protected and avoid free public Wi-Fi whenever possible.

Leave Smart Devices locked in the safe.

Most hotel rooms have safes for storing sensitive info or valuables while traveling. Use the safe to store any smart devices you don’t need for the day, like a laptop, USB, external hard drive, or wearable technology. Don’t leave these things lying around your hotel room for anyone to sneakily grab.

Check sensitive accounts regularly

Before you leave your accommodation for a day of sightseeing, get into a routine of checking sensitive financial accounts. Also, check them when you get back. The sooner you spot fraudulent behavior, the better. Just make sure you log out of your accounts after each use!

Don’t Broadcast Your Vacation on Social Media.

Isn’t it exciting to share your holiday plans with the whole of your social media? Hang on a second though… You don’t hang a sign on your home letting everyone know your plans so why do it on social media?

By broadcasting your location across social media every few hours is in fact telling online criminals that you’re not at home, where you may have left important personal data unsecured—and let’s not forget about your house and valuables !

Perhaps try to post all your pictures after you get back home and limit the amount of information you share on your specific whereabouts when using social media.

No matter where you’re traveling, home or abroad. Enjoy your journey with peace of mind. Follow these seven tips, and you’ll enjoy a secure and memorable holiday.

7 ways to hack-proof your smartphone to keep your data safe

1. UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE

One of the most important safety precautions as a smartphone user is to keep its operating system (OS) up to date. It's important because, when OS vulnerabilities are discovered, updates are sent out that contain patches for those flaws.

That makes it critical to install OS updates ASAP. Here are the steps to update both Apple iOS and Android OS:

Apple

Go into your "Settings" app and select "General." From there, select "Software Update" and your iPhone will begin to check for updates. Then select "Download and Install."

Android

Open Settings >> Tap About Phone >> Tap System Updates >> If there is an available update tap Restart and Install.

2. KEEP CRIMINALS OUT OF YOUR PHONE

If your phone is stolen, the thief can gain access to all of the sensitive data that's stored in it. That means it is important to make it as difficult for them to get into it as possible.

Apple

iPhones used to only allow you to create a four-digit passcode for protection.

Do the math on that and you'll realize that allows just 10,000 passcode combinations. Now consider that someone watching you might see the simple combination you use to enter your passcode. Or, someone who knows you well might guess your four-digit passcode based on your birthday, street address or another PIN you use a lot.

Now, Apple gives you the chance to create stronger alternatives. You can choose between a four-digit numeric code, a six-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code, or a custom alphanumeric code. These options are more secure than the original four-digit option.

Go to Settings >> Touch ID & Passcode >> Tap Turn Passcode On >> Enter a six-digit passcode or tap Passcode Options and choose among the options we've listed above >> Enter your passcode again to confirm it and activate it.

Android

Android phones have multiple options when it comes to setting a screen lock. Go to Settings >> tap Security under the Personal section >> tap Screen lock. You will see a few options to choose from:

None - This leaves you with no lock screen security.
Swipe - Selecting this option is basically the same as having no lock screen security. Anyone can unlock your gadget by swiping the lock screen.
Pattern - You can unlock your phone by using a specific swipe pattern along a series of dots.
PIN - Choose an uncrackable Personal Identification Number.
Password - Creating a password specific to the lock screen is an option, but it's the most inconvenient option available.

3. USE PHONE LOCATING APPS

Losing your phone or having it stolen is scary. There's so much personal data stored in it you don't want it getting into the wrong hands. If this unfortunate situation happens to you, there are apps that will help you track down your gadget.

Apple

Find My iPhone: This is a free app you can download from the App Store. If you lose your phone, you can log into your Apple ID account from another device and see a map of where it is. Getting the phone back is great, but the real saving grace is being able to wipe the phone clean; this app allows you to erase all your phone's content and settings.

Android

Android Device Manager: This is a free app you can download from the Google Play store. If you lose your phone, you can log in to your Google account from another device and see a map of where it is. This app also allows you to wipe the phone clean, erase all your phone data and reset your lock screen passcode.

4. ONLY DOWNLOAD TRUSTED APPS

Whenever you want to download an app, make sure it's from a trusted source. Third-party apps don't go through the rigid security checks that apps found in Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store do. That means third-party apps could be malicious and infect your phone with malware.

Here are some ways to avoid being infected by a malicious app:

App stores - Stay away from third-party app stores. There have been a few examples of malicious apps in the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store, but they are very rare. Third-party app stores do little vetting of apps, making it easier for scammers to spread malware there.
Check the apps' developer - Verifying the name of the app developer is important. Copycat apps will have a different developer's name than the actual one. Before downloading an app, do a Google search to find the original developer.

Reviews - Most popular apps will have reviews by other users in the app store. You can sometimes find reviews by experts online. These are helpful at pointing out malicious or faulty apps. If you find a review warning the app is malicious, do NOT download it.

5. TURN OFF APP NOTIFICATIONS

Certain apps constantly send you notifications that pop-up right on your lock screen. Some can actually give away private information to anyone within view of your phone.

Think about your messenger app of choice. If you're having a private conversation with someone and they send you a personal message, it'll appear right on your lock screen. It could be a conversation that you don't want others around you to see.

You do have the option of turning off notifications for any app on your phone.

Apple

Go to Settings >> scroll down to the app you want notifications turned off for and select it >> tap Notifications >> slide the toggle to the left next to Allow Notifications. Follow these steps for each app that you want notifications turned off.

Android

Open Settings >> tap Notifications >> select an app >> choose Block all. Follow these steps for each app that you want notifications turned off.

6. USE A PASSWORD MANAGER

Passwords are critical to keeping your personal data safe. The key is creating hack-proof passwords that criminals won't be able to breach. Click here to learn three proven formulas that will help.

If you're like almost every other person with a laptop, tablet and smartphones, you have so many passwords it's simply impossible to remember them all. Plus, many online accounts require you to change your password often.

The problem is, just when you finally remember that complicated, super-long password, you have to change it. So frustrating!

Don't worry, we've got a solution for this. They're called password managers, and they're really helpful. Instead of remembering lots of passwords, you simply remember one password. When you type it into your free password manager, it opens up all your saved accounts with their website addresses, logins and passwords.

7. SET UP A VPN WHEN USING PUBLIC WI-FI

It's very convenient to bank, shop and post photos and status updates online. It means you don't have to physically go to the bank, the store or travel long distances to catch up with family and friends who might be scattered around the country.

The drawback to doing these and other things online is that your information is traveling through the internet. It isn't a straight shot between you and the site you're using, either. The data can bounce through servers around the country or even around the world.

That gives hackers a lot of opportunities to steal your information. If they can grab it in transit, they can learn your passwords, details about you they shouldn't know, or even pretend to be you to trick your bank or other secure sites.

That's especially true if you're using public Wi-Fi. Hackers on the same network have plenty of tools to snoop on what you're doing.

To encrypt your connection, you can use a virtual private network (VPN).

A third-party VPN service lets you create an encrypted connection with one of its servers and you use that server to browse the internet. The connection is encrypted through the server, so the VPN can't see your traffic either. OK, it's a bit more complicated than that behind the scenes, but that's the result.

11 Tips for Social Networking Safety

Social networking websites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Windows Live Spaces are services people can use to connect with others to share information like photos, videos, and personal messages.

As the popularity of these social sites grows, so do the risks of using them. Hackers, spammers, virus writers, identity thieves, and other criminals follow the traffic.

Read these tips to help protect yourself when you use social networks.

• Use caution when you click links that you receive in messages from your friends on your social website. Treat links in messages on these sites as you would links in e-mail messages.
• Know what you’ve posted about yourself. A common way that hackers break into financial or other accounts is by clicking the “Forgot your password?” link on the account login page. To break into your account, they search for the answers to your security questions, such as your birthday, hometown, high school class, father’s middle name, on your social networking site. If the site allows, make up your own password questions, and don’t draw them from material anyone could find with a quick search.
• Don’t trust that a message really is from whom it says it’s from. Hackers can break into accounts and send messages that look like they’re from your friends, but aren’t. If you suspect that a message is fraudulent, use an alternate method to contact your friend to find out. This includes invitations to join new social networks.
• To avoid giving away e-mail addresses of your friends, do not allow social networking services to scan your e-mail address book. When you join a new social network, you might receive an offer to enter your e-mail address and password to find out if your contacts are on the network. The site might use this information to send e-mail messages to everyone in your contact list or even everyone you’ve ever sent an e-mail message to with that e-mail address. Social networking sites should explain that they’re going to do this, but some do not.
• Type the address of your social networking site directly into your browser or use your personal bookmarks. If you click a link to your site through e-mail or another website, you might be entering your account name and password into a fake site where your personal information could be stolen.
• Be selective about who you accept as a friend on a social network. Identity thieves might create fake profiles in order to get information from you.
• Choose your social network carefully. Evaluate the site that you plan to use and make sure you understand the privacy policy. Find out if the site monitors content that people post. You will be providing personal information to this website, so use the same criteria that you would to select a site where you enter your credit card.
• Assume that everything you put on a social networking site is permanent. Even if you can delete your account, anyone on the Internet can easily print photos or text or save images and videos to a computer.
• Be careful about installing extras on your site. Many social networking sites allow you to download third-party applications that let you do more with your personal page. Criminals sometimes use these applications to steal your personal information. To download and use third-party applications safely, take the same safety precautions that you take with any other program or file you download from the Web.
• Think twice before you use social networking sites at work.
• Talk to your kids about social networking.