computerbob1's Journal

Scammers find new weapons

I'm posting this for DS friends. I compiled the information myself. Share it with others if you like. Wherever possible I suggest you remain anonymous on DS and mark personal photos in your album for friends only. Choose your friends carefully and only after you research them by reading their profiles and postings. If you are discussing personal information in your journal, mark it for friends only.

Learn how to use the chat system. It works very well now. If you choose to use hugs to carry on a chat with another member just be aware that everyone can read it. Some of the “My Groups” have a group chat that allows several people to chat at once. Ask you’re my Group founder if you don’t know how but remember everyone in the group chat can see what is being typed. The message system on DS is semi private but messages can be forwarded to the wrong person by mistake so don’t include private or sensitive information in them.

Remember that social networks are really just virtual friends who may or may not be who they say they are. On DS we share many experiences with each other that would take many hours of research, expense or group meetings to find out otherwise so it is a valuable tool when used this way. Many of us can find and give support on DS to/from members all over the world.

To scammers, Ds, Myspace, Facebook and blogs are a never ending resource of personal information and photos of family they can use to try to scam or steal something from us. The articles below tell us what to watch for and how to avoid problems. I'm not saying don't post personal pictures but if you do, label them as child or grandchild instead of using their name and mark them for friends only.

DS is considered a social network just like Myspace, Facebook and blogs. We should be aware of a new scam that was covered on the news recently. Take a look at the story below and if you or a family member get a suspicious call from someone like the story; it is important to ask lots of questions and call someone to verify what the caller is saying. They may be using information they collected from a family member or friends on DS, Myspace, Facebook or blog:

Scammers find new weapon in social-networking sites and blogs

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5491388

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If we are going to use the internet, we need to stay on top of the latest scams that are out there.  This is the super highway to the World Wide Web. A search of this topic on Google found these helpful links:

Phishing scams infiltrate social networking sites

http://www.jsonline.com/business/37543334.html

Phishing attacks get personal

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/2009-01-01-phishing-attacks_N.htm

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Protect yourself by practicing these rules

·       Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from e-mails. Files can contain viruses that can weaken your computer's security.

·       Don't reply to an e-mail or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, and don't click on links in the message, even if it appears to be from a well-known institution. Also, don't cut and paste a link from the message into your Web browser. Phishers can make links look as if they go one place but actually redirect you to another.

·       Some scammers call with a recorded message, or send an e-mail that appears to be from an institution, and ask you to call a phone number to update your account. Because they use Voice Over Internet Protocol technology, the area code you call does not reflect where the scammers are. To reach an institution you do business with, call the number on your financial statements.

·       Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall and update them regularly. Make sure you download and install security patches as necessary by checking your software vendors' Web sites on a regular basis.

·       Don't e-mail personal or financial information. E-mail is not a secure way to send sensitive information.

Thanks for reading my Journal and have a safe online experience.

Please add helpful comments and I will incorporate them in a future journal.