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MINIMIZING THE EFFECTS OF
MALWARE
Malware is short for "malicious
software;" it includes viruses- programs that copy themselves
without your permission- and spyware, programs installed
without your consent to monitor or control your computer
activity. Criminals are hard at work thinking up creative ways
to get malware on your computer. They create appealing web
sites, desirable downloads, and compelling stories to lure you
to links that will download malware, especially on computers
that don't use adequate security software. Then, they use the
malware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit
fraud.
It doesn't have to be that way.
OnGuardOnline.gov says consumers can minimize the havoc
malware can wreak, and reclaim their computers and their
electronic information.
Computers may be infected
with malware if they:
* Slow down, malfunction, or
display repeated error messages
*Won't shut down or restart
* Serve up a lot of pop-up ads,
or display them when you're not surfing the web
* Display web pages or programs
you didn't intend to use, or send emails you didn't write
If you suspect malware is on
your computer....
If you suspect malware is
lurking on your computer, stop shopping, banking, and other
online activities that involve user names, passwords, or other
sensitive information. Malware on your computer could be
sending your personal information to identity thieves.
Then confirm that your security
software is active and current: at a minimum, your computer
should have anti-virus and anti-spyware, and a firewall. You
can but stand-alone programs for each element- or a security
"suite" that include these programs- from a variety of
sources, including commercial vendors or from your Internet
Service Provider. Security software that comes pre-installed
on a computer generally works for a short time unless you pay
a subscription fee to keep it in effect. In any case, security
software protects against the newest threats only if is
up-to-date. That's why it is critical to set your security
software and operating system (like Windows or Apple's OS) to
update automatically.
Some scam artists distribute
malware disguised as anti-spyware software. OnGuardOnline
offers a list of security tools from legitimate security
vendors selected by GetNetWise, a project of the Internet
Education Foundation. Resist buying software in response to an
unexpected pop-up messages or emails, especially ads that
claim to have scanned your computer and detected malware.
That's a tactic scammers have used to spread malware, and that
has attracted the attention of the Federal Trade Commission,
the nation's consumer protection agency, as well as a number
of law enforcement agencies.
Once you confirm that your
security software is up-to-date, run it to scan your computer
for viruses and spyware. Delete everything the program
identifies as a problem. You may have to restart your computer
for the changes to take effect.
If you suspect that your
computer is STILL infected, you MAY want to run a second
anti-spyware or anti-virus program. Some computer security
experts recommend installing one program for real-time
protection, and another for periodic scans of your machine as
a way to stop malware that might have slipped past the first
program.
Finally, if the problem
persists after you exhaust your own ability to diagnose and
treat it, you might want to call for professional help. If
your computer is covered by a warranty that offers free tech
support, contact the manufacturer. Before you call, write down
the model and serial number of your computer, the name of any
software you've installed, and a short description of the
problem. Your notes will help you give an accurate description
to the technician.
If you need professional help,
if your machine isn't covered by a warranty, or if your
security software isn't doing the job properly, you may need
to pay for technical support. Many companies- including some
affiliated with retail stores- offer tech support via the
phone, online, at their store, or in your home. Telephone or
online help generally are the least expensive ways to access
support services- especially if there's a toll free helpline.
but you may have to do some of the work yourself. Taking your
computer to a store usually is less expensive than hiring a
technician or repair person to come into your home.
Once your computer is back up
and running, think about how malware could have been
downloaded to your machine, and what you could do to avoid it
in the future. If your security software or operating system
was out-of-date, download the newest version and set it to
update automatically. Use the opportunity to back up important
files by copying them onto a removable disc. Other ways to
minimize the chances of a malware download in the future:
* Don't click on a link in
an email or open an attachment unless you know who sent it.
Links in email can send you to sites that automatically
download malware to your machine. Opening attachments- even
those that appear to come from a friend or co-worker- also can
install malware to your computer.
*Download and install
software only from websites you know and trust.
Downloading free games, file-sharing programs, and customized
toolbars may sound appealing, but free software can come with
malware.
* Talk about safe computing.
Tell your kids that some online activity can put a
computer at risk: clicking on pop-ups, downloading "free"
games or programs, or posting personal information.
Finally, monitor your computer
for unusual behavior. If you suspect your machine has been
exposed to malware, take action immediately. Report problems
with malware to your ISP so it can try to prevent similar
problems and alert other subscribers , as well to the FTC
(www.ftc.gov).
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Helpful Hints to Avoid Debit Card
Fraud |
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In order to protect yourself against
debit card fraud, here are a few helpful reminders
regarding Fraud Trends.
* Hotels are the "hot" target for
debit card fraud. Hackers have successfully hacked into
several of the major hotel chains' data bases. Hundreds
of debit card fraud cases have been linked back to a
common point of purchase at the major hotel chains. The
fraudsters capture the card info from the data base and
create fake cards that are sold all over the world.
"Free trial offer, just pay shipping
and handling"- There are thousands of these offers
online and 99% of them are bogus. The two most popular
offers seen are for Acai berry diet drugs and Dazzling
White Teeth Whitener. They both offer a 30 day trial and
money back guarantee.
*Job Offers- Fraudsters are
capitalizing on the economic times and natural
disasters. Fraud analyst have seen an increase in
online/email offers for mystery shoppers, gulf oil spill
clean-up workers, disaster relief workers, etc. The job
offers require that you send money for a list of
merchants needing shoppers or government contracting
agencies, etc. The general rule is that if the "job
offer" requires you to send money first, it's a scam.
*Stranded Friend- Emails or texts
from a friend that has ended up in trouble while
traveling. Fraudsters get personal and contact
information from social networking sites and use it to
blast out emails and texts appearing to be from your
friend stating that they need your help, send money
fast.
*Phishing-eBay, PayPal, Amazon,
FaceBook are currently the most popular targets for
phishing scams. The phishing email request you to
download a form or follow a link to verify your account
information.
In order to protect against
fraud......
*Keep all your contact information at
the bank current, phone numbers, addresses and email.
*Know who you are providing your
personal information to. Do not provide it in a response
to unsolicited emails, texts or phone calls. Grandview
Bank will never send emails requesting customer
information.
*Do not share your online banking
user ids or passwords with anyone-not even family.
*Do not share your ATM or Debit card
PIN numbers with anyone-not even family.
*Review your account activity
regularly using your monthly statements or online
banking. Notify the bank immediately if you discover a
problem.
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