Baltimore, MD - Social networking websites themselves are generally safe; however the content people put on them may not be.
--Do not post anything on the internet you wouldn’t want someone to see no matter how innocuous it seems to be.
--These are just a few of the tips Jon Aumann shared with Jamie Costello on Good Morning Maryland, where he was a guest....Other include:
--It is your responsibility to stay informed on changes implemented on social networking sites. Facebook undergoes dramatic changes a few times every year, and most of those facelifts affect privacy settings in some way – though users may not be directly alerted of those specific changes. If you notice changes on social-networking site homepages, it’s a good idea to revisit your privacy settings, perform a quick internet search to learn more or ask a Geek Squad Agent to give you the scoop.
--. Always remember that any content you post on the internet will be there forever, for anyone to read, store, and republish. Remember that this information is stored somewhere, likely in multiple places, for almost all eternity.
-- Avoid sharing personal information such as license plate numbers, house numbers or other addresses as well as specific names of schools, workplaces or towns. Information can be used like pieces in a puzzle to paint a bigger picture of you.
-- Just because the screen says your friend John has sent you information doesn’t mean John is actually the person who did. A recent scam, called a 419 scam, has run rampant on Facebook. In this common scam, hackers disguised as blast messages to your friends claiming to need money after being robbed or having lost money in a foreign country.
-- Trust your gut. If it doesn’t “seem right” it probably isn’t. Things free or too good to be true are just that. Social networking sites have been a breeding ground for fake antivirus software ads, so avoid any type of free antivirus offers.
Geek Squad’s General Tips for Keeping you Safe and Secure Online:
Use a secure network: These tips can help you navigate the online world safely and securely:
o Firewalls – Software firewalls help keep your PC secure while you surf the Web and avoid the throngs of hackers. These firewalls help protect your personal information, and can help block it from being transmitted over the Web.
o Wireless Access for Your Laptop – Most laptops have wireless network cards built in. But if yours doesn’t, you’re probably using a public WiFi hot spot. Working on an open WiFi network without a Firewall is like leaving your front door open to your home. So in addition to installing proper Firewalls, another option is to buy an external version that will plug into your PC Card slot (or Express Card slot on newer laptops) to enable you to work from a secure network that only you have access to.
Avoid Spam: Surfing social networking sites opens up a whole new set of doors in terms of inviting in unwanted guests. Geek Squad’s Advice:
o Regularly run a quick, free diagnostic scan for spyware and viruses by going to the Geek Squad Security Center http://www.geeksquad.com/securitycenter/).
o Do not open an e-mail or click on a link from someone you do not know – and never open an attachment from someone you do know without checking with them first to see if they sent it.
o When in doubt, retype the web address in yourself if someone sends it to you. Do not cut and paste from the e-mail.
o Install anti-spyware programs and anti-virus programs.
o Make sure your operating system is up to date.
Password protection: With everything from medical records to banking information available online, those 6-12 alphanumeric numbers can mean the difference between a clean credit report and a very unpleasant surprise on your next bank statement. Geek Squad has some password tips:
o Avoid personal details such as home address, birthday or children’s names. This information is surprisingly easy to get a hold of, and hackers targeting you specifically will likely attempt those key dates.
o Absolutely do not use single words you find in the dictionary. One of the most basic hacker tactics is known as a “dictionary attack,” where an automated program will attempt the words of the dictionary. Any simple passwords are particularly vulnerable.
o Don’t try to fool them by using other languages or scrambled words. Criminals use sophisticated tools that can rapidly guess passwords that are based on words in multiple languages, including words spelled backwards, common misspellings, profanity and substitutions.
o Avoid using the same password for all your accounts. If your password is compromised on any one of the computers or online systems that use it, you should consider the possibility that all of your other information protected by that password is also compromised.
o Take advantage of the shift key, and use the available characters in addition to numbers and capital letters.
For help with all of your technology needs, call 1.800.GEEK.SQUAD to set up an onsite
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