Familiar email functionality is enhanced and made safe through Confluency Solutions’ CSCoact.

10 things Confluency Solutions recommends doing to protect yourself and your computer

1. Never send personal information or files via email. ( Email Safety )
2. Never enter credit card information or Social Security number in a form that is not secure. ( How to tell if a form is secure )
3. Always update your computer with the most up-to-date security patches. ( More Information )
4. Never open email attachments from people that you don't know. ( Email Safety )
5. Always run a virus scan application and scan every email before opening it. ( Virus Applications )
6. Run spyware applications on a regular basis. ( Spyware Applications )
7. Use the safest and most up-to-date browser. ( Recommended Browser )
8. Run a firewall on your computer. ( Firewalls )
9. Do not reply to or click on any links in spam mail. ( Why? )
10. Never give out your credit card or Social Security number to someone who contacted you via email, instant message, chat or any web site that you do not have a business relationship with. ( More )

1. Never send personal information or files via email.

Sending an email is like sending a postcard. Anyone who really wants to read it can. Do not ever send credit card numbers, social security numbers or any sensitive information (ex: tax information) via email. Some email applications do encryption however; this encryption is typically not enough to protect you.

2. Never enter credit card information or Social Security number in a form that is not secure.

   How to tell if a web site is secure using Firefox:

   Look in the address bar. In Firefox, the address bar is yellow and has a yellow lock on the right side. Also, look for HTTPS:// in the URL.

   
   

   Look for a SSL lock on the bottom of your browser*:

   
   

   How to tell if a web site is secure using Internet Explorer:

   Look at the address bar. A secure site will have https:// in the URL
   
   

   Look for a SSL lock on the bottom of your browser*:


*Verify the integrity of the certificate by double clicking on the lock. Make sure the certificate is issued to the web site you are visiting and has a valid date.

3. Always update your computer with the most up-to-date security patches.

Microsoft has a web site for computer updates. http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com This site will scan and make sure it has all of the needed up-to-date updates and security patches.

4. Never open email attachments from people that you don't know.

You wouldn't accept candy from a stranger so why would you open an email attachment from one? Rule of thumb when it comes to email attachments. If you don't know the person or if you weren't expecting a file from someone that you do know do not open it.

A lot of viruses spread by sending emails to every person in a user's address book. So, even if you know the person; if you aren't expecting a file, do not open it. If you get an email with an attachment that you weren’t expecting, send the person an email asking them what they sent you to make sure it's legit. (This may seem a little extreme, but trust me, you'll be glad you did if it means not getting a virus)

5. Always run a virus scan application and scan every email before opening it.

There are a lot of credible virus scan applications two of the more popular virus scanners are: Symantec and McAfee.

6. Run spyware applications on a regular basis.

There are a lot of credible spyware applications Lavasoft offers a free application that does a very good job.

7. Use the safest and most up-to-date browser.

Firefox is a fairly new browser but has become very popular for its strength and security.



8. Run a firewall on your computer.

Think of your computer as a castle. There is a guard at your castle who determines who can enter and who can leave. This is exactly what your firewall does for your computer. Without a firewall, any application running on your computer can connect to the internet. Remote computers can also attempt to connect to your computer. Zone Labs offers a very good free firewall.

9. Do not reply to or click on any links in spam mail.

Do not reply to spam mail:

If you reply to spam mail the spammer now knows that your email is a legitimate email address.

Do not click on any links in spam mail:

One technique used by spammers is to include a link to a web site

Example Spam:

From: spammer@test.com To: your email@example.com     Subject: Great Offer Click Here for this great offer.

All you see is a link that says "Click Here" however the webpage that the link points to could look like this:

www.example.com/offer.htm?yourmail@example.com

Did you notice the email address on the end of that web address?

www.example.com/offer.htm?yourmail@example.com

When you click on the link in that spam email you are now validating that your email address is legitimate and that you read spam mail.

The best thing to do with spam is delete it!

10. Never give out your credit card or Social Security number to someone who contacted you via email, instant message, chat or any web site that you do not have a business relationship with.

    It is important to use common sense whenever dealing with your credit card and social security number. Never send this information out via email and NEVER give out this information to someone who contacted you. Always be cautious.