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YawLes
Posted 4/27/2016 06:03 (#5265754 - in reply to #5263697)
Subject: On-line behavior is your biggest risk


The previous posters have submitted excellent information and advice.

I do offer reinforcement of one tidbit that was brought out - YOUR behavior when on-line is the riskiest thing to your vulnerability.

Almost 100% of the ransomware - when a hacker gets into your system and encrypts your information, then holds your pictures, data, files hostage until you pay - comes into your system because of something YOU did.

Almost 100% of your e-mail, bank account, broker account, etc being hacked is because YOU GAVE them information they need to get into your account. The hot thing being done by hackers is to send you a phishing e-mail saying your account has something suspicious happening, and you need to log in to confirm or reject the actions, and provide you a link to click on. When you do, the very accurate duplicate web-site the hacker has set up looks exactly like the true web-page, but this bogus page captures your login information. It's all over.

As piece of mind, look for ways to turn on two-factor authentication - this is where you not only have a user name and password, but you also must verify who you are by a second means.

Two factor authentication is most secure if you can use finger prints or having a security code texted to your cell phone. This security code sent to your phone is then entered into the login page, confirming you have that cell phone, and thus you are YOU.

One of the many geeks I follow is Leo LaPorte - The Tech Guy - who has a series of podcasts and videocasts found on his web site TWIT.TV (TWIT = This Week In Tech). He offers what I consider very sound advice. Below is a direct clip of his advice from his web-page regarding staying secure.


FROM TechGuyLabs.com - hosted by Leo LaPorte -

Cheryl wants to know if she can get infected by HTML email.

Leo says yes. That' why you have to be careful what links you click on. But since she's using an ipad, she's protected. You can't get infected by it. Apple's OS is very secure. But it's always a good idea to train yourself not to click on links. If you get an email from your bank for instance, then just get in your browser and go directly to your bank's website. How can she know if she's on a suspicious site? Leo says that browsers have gotten better at warning you about that. Webmail clients like GMail are also very good at filtering out bogus phishing emails. It's not perfect, but it's getting better. It also helps to not run as an administrator in Windows. Other things you can do are:
1. Google Chrome. It's free and far more secure.
2. Don't click on links in email.
3. Only get your software from original vendors.
4. Keep your anti virus software up to date.
5. Stop using Java
6. Use a password vault like LastPass
7. Turn on second factor authentication
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