Internet is a dangerous place.

Many people want to make a profit on the Internet, but some people sees scamming as the quickest way to make a buck.

The Internet scams has becoming very sophisticated. The criminal minds are using more of "social engineering" to trick users into buying their product, or worse, giving out private information.

So How can I protect myself from Virus, Spyware, and Phishing?

for starters,

1. Install a "firewall".
2. Patch up your computer regularly with the latest updates.
3. Stay current with anti-virus and anti-spyware definitions.
4. Only purchase products or services from reputable companies.
5. Be cautious about clicking the pop-up offers.
6. Be cautious about clicking the e-mail links

Install an Internet "firewall"
An Internet firewall is a software or a device that blocks potential harmful access from the Internet. Windows Vista and Windows XP has a software firewall build-in. However it may not be enough to block the more supplicated attacks. There are many free and commercial firewalls available. If you don't know where to start, ask an expert for the best product for your situation.

Update your Windows and Applications
Often companies like Microsoft, Adobe, and Symantec will discover new threats or anomalies after a product is released to the public. That is why it is important update your Windows and Applications regularly. Windows Vista will download and install updates automatically, but some applications may require you to turn this feature on manually.

Stay current with anti-virus and anti-spyware definitions
Many new viruses are being discovered every day. Without keeping your anti-virus program up-to-date, you are at risk being attacked by the latest viruses.

Anti-spyware are more important now than ever. Because spyware are profit driven, they seem to be more wide-spread than computer viruses. Make sure you have a anti-spyware installed on your computer.

Only purchase products or services from reputable companies.
This is a difficult thing to do in practice. How do we know a web site is reputable? There are no standard "test" about a site's reputation. In fact, many scammers pretended to be from reputable companies, with beautiful web sites and nice 800 numbers. Use your common sense!

Be cautious about pop-up's
Personally, I never click on a pop-up ad. But I understand a marketer's need to get the users' attention. But there are many dangerous pop-ups that looks like legitimate warning messages.

Here is an example: you may get a pop windows that says "Your computer is infected with a virus, please download "product xyz" at web site "xyz.com" to clean your system. First, how does the pop-up know you have a virus? Magic? I don't think so. And why is "product xyz" the only product that can fix it? It does not.

The pop-up's purpose is to trick you into buying a useless product.

Be cautious about e-mail links
Only click on an e-mail link if you are absolutely certain that it is coming from somebody you know. Also watch closely where the link is going.

One of the most dangerous e-mail is a "phishing e-mail". It pretends to be from your bank and asks you to reset your password. Phishing's purpose to commit identity theft. It will try to collect your personal information and to commit fraud.

Here is an example of a phishing e-mail:

The link in the e-mail does not go to the bank.