Password length can also add
protection. Those extra few numbers and letters make all the difference.
Read the article, "Safety
in numbers and letters" for more information.
Web masters, if you are keeping
user information on your web server, ensure is is stored in the proper
directory with the proper permissions. Better still, wherever possible,
store minimum client information on your server. Best of all, ensure
that sensitive details are submitted by visitors over an SSL connect. A
web server is the equivalent of a 7/11 store - open all hours for all
customers. There is NO 100% guaranteed safe system.
Firewalls - A personal firewall is
now a necessity, not a
luxury. The script kiddie problem is on the rise. A script kiddie is
someone who fancies themselves a hacker, and utilizes
freely available
programs to compromise your system via the internet. Script kiddies have
caused major problems recently, and have been known to post credit card
numbers for all to see. Why? Usually bragging rights. There are over
60,000 points of entry on your PC. Read more about firewalls at:
Who are you? Before you click the
submit button for that ezine you really gotta have, how much information
are you having to give away? A name and email address should be all
that's needed in most cases. Even if you don't have to submit credit
card numbers, you're still giving away information that enables people
to build profiles of you, which make it easier for identity that to
occur. It's amazing how much information you can access just knowing
somebody's date of birth. If a service provider is asking for more than
your name and email address, I strongly advice checking them out before
submitting.
Web masters, you need to have freely
available details about your organization if you want visitors to sign
on for your services. An applied and publicized
privacy policy along
with an "about us" page will put your visitors' minds at ease.
Read more about this at:
In the clear = danger - When you
are asked to submit
sensitive details such as credit card numbers, check your browser
address bar. Does the address begin with https:? If it doesn't, you will
be submitting details "in the clear" - unprotected. The https
signifies a secure line of communication using inbuilt browser
encryption. The best you can hope for these days.
Online Banking - If you do it, log
in every few days to review transactions. Major banks, while quick to
sniff out fraudulent activities, don't always pick up on fraudulent
transactions. If you see something that looks suspicious in your
transaction history, don't panic. Immediately contact your bank. They
may freeze your account while they investigate. In most cases you won't
be liable for the invalid transactions. But it can be frustrating to
have your account compromised, as it can take up to two weeks to reissue
cards. And if, like me, you use online services frequently, you'll find
it a time-consuming ordeal to contact your suppliers and explain
changes.
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