From the
Employment and Learning Computer Lab:
Internet
Safety Tips, Part I:
When you
enter the Internet world, the fear is that you are exposing yourself and your
machine to mischief. While that is a possibility, there are easy measures to be
taken to sidestep dangers. Here are some examples of ways to more safely enter
the Internet.
When looking
at your list of new e-mails, if you see that you have received an attachment
from someone you do not know, do not be inquisitive, rather erase the e-mail unopened.
Clicking on an unrecognized email can lead to downloading a virus.
Sometimes
hackers can get cleaver and send an email that looks legitimate from an
organization like a bank, or even from the email provider itself. If they ask
for any information, such as user names, passwords, or other personal data
(Social Insurance number, banking number, phone number, and such), erase the
email. These companies will already have whatever information they need, and
all have a policy of not asking for it over the Internet. Rather, if they
needed to reach you because of something important, they would ask you to
contact them, rather than their reaching out to you for that information.
Sometimes
you may receive an email from someone you know, but it may still look
suspicious, perhaps stating that they are lost in Europe and need money, or
suggesting you check out a product. Do not hit the Reply button, as it will be
redirected to the illicit sender rather than your friend. Instead, send a
separate email to the person and ask if they had sent it. If they have not, then
they have been hacked and someone is remotely using their address. Suggest to
the person that they change their password, which will break the link to the
hacker. If you get a questioning email from someone about an email in your name
and you did not send it, then change your own
password.
