Warning

Antivirus Software

Top priority.  This is essential to help stop your PC from being infected by a Computer Virus.  This must be up to date.  New updates for detection are released almost daily.  If your subscription or software is out date you are at risk!

There are some good free programs available for home use.

Firewall

Spyware/Adware/Worms and Trojans

These problems can range from having your internet hijacked to not even being able to connect.  If  your internet is hijacked you may not be able to visit any sites except the ones they send you to.

Note:  Be careful if you download free spyware scanners, some are bogus and will infect your PC with spyware.  The same can be said of any software you choose to download, make sure you know it is trusted, it could be a Trojan.

Here is a link to a list of Bogus Spyware scanners

Premium Rate Dialers

Premium rate Dialer software disconnects you from your internet connection and then dials premium rate or international phone numbers to using your modem.  Charges are then billed to your phone number as you were no longer using the internet on your low rate 0845 number or free dialup.

Dialers are usually installed by activeX plugins. Be very careful clicking Yes to any popup windows saying that you agree to install the plug in!  Once the dialer is installed if it is from a malicious company, it may connect automatically at anytime and run up a large telephone bill.

Dialers are usually installed from Hacking sites, Pirate software sites and Adult sites.

Do you need to check the nature of a premium rate number that has appeared on your telephone bill?

Do you have a complaint regarding the content and / or promotion of a service running on a premium rate number?

If  you have been a victim you may be able to claim compensation from ICSTIS. Visit their website for more information, www.icstis.org.uk

Keep Your Windows Operating System Up-to-date

-It is not integrated with Windows, which helps prevent viruses and hackers from causing damage if they somehow manage    to compromise Firefox.
 -There is no support for VBScript and ActiveX, two technologies which are the reasons for many IE security holes.
 -No spyware/adware software can automatically install in Firefox just by visiting a web site.
 -Firefox doesn't use Microsoft's Java VM, which has a history of more flaws than other Java VMs.
 -You have complete control over cookies.

Another great thing - it's FREE!!

Can be used at the same time as Microsoft Internet Explorer and does not replace it.

Bogus emails and Telephone Scams

If you have an ebay or Paypal account, it is now very common to get bogus emails warning you to log in to your account through a link and verify your account information or it will be suspended!.  Of course this is bogus and should not be done.  Contact ebay for confirmation or to warn them if you have done this.

Below is an example of what they might try.  With the images in the email it can look quite authentic.  It has several spelling mistakes, would Paypal release an email without spell checking it?  The paypal link actually pointed to a website ns.marinework.co.jp and has since been closed down.  Paypal are now quick to act to stop this kind of thing happening. Military Grade Encryption is Only the Start At PayPal, we want to increase your security and comfort level with every transaction. From our Buyer and Seller Protection Policies to our Verification and Reputation systems, we'll help to keep you safe. We recently noticed one or more attempts to log in to your PayPal account from a foreign IP address and we have reasons to belive that your account was hijacked by a third party without your authorization. If you recently accessed your account while traveling, the unusual log in attempts may have been initiated by you. However, if you are the rightfull holder of the account, click on the link below to log into your account and follow the instructions. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_login-run If you choose to ignore our request, you leave us no choise but to temporaly suspend your account. We ask that you allow at least 72 hours for the case to be investigated and we strongly recommend to verify your account in that time. If you received this notice and you are not the authorized account holder, please be aware that it is in violation of PayPal policy to represent oneself as another PayPal user. Such action may also be in violation of local, national, and/or international law. PayPal is committed to assist law enforcement with any inquires related to attempts to misappropriate personal information with the intent to commit fraud or theft. Information will be provided at the request of law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Thanks for your patience as we work together to protect your account. Sincerely, PayPal Account Review Department PayPal, an eBay Company

The email contains a virus attached to it called installer.exe.  Typically a WORM.  It will disable  Firewalls and Antivirus software and harvest your email contacts and spread the worm to them.

The links in this email seem to be valid Microsoft site links, but sometimes will be bogus links.  It is very easy to copy a website and make a few changes so it looks like the real McCoy, be wary and always check the links.  Hover your mouse over them and the bottom of your internet browser should show the web site address.  Check it has the official website address. 

System requirements	Windows 95/98/Me/2000/NT/XP
This update applies to	MS Internet Explorer, version 4.01 and later MS Outlook, version 8.00 and later MS Outlook Express, version 4.01 and later
Recommendation	Customers should install the patch at the earliest opportunity.
How to install	Run attached file. Choose Yes on displayed dialog box.
How to use	You don't need to do anything after installing this item.

Another typical scam is to say that you have one the International Lottery.  Think calm and clearly about any email saying that they want to give you stacks of money.  Remember almost all companies will contact you officially by post, but then again, there are still so many postal scams also. Make sure you keep your brain engaged and don't get carried away with emotion and seek advice.

From:Benjamin.K. Oni
Add :Nigeria National Orientation Agency
     Federal Ministry of Information
     Radio House-Abuja.

Dear Sir,

I am Director of Civic registration and finance, Nigeria National Orientation
Agency (NNOA) Federal Ministry of Information. I must start this email by
acknowledging the wisdom in choosing to reveal my 2 years AMBITION
since the National Identity Card project was kicked off some 2 years ago
by a bill passed into law by the national assembly for the registration and
identification of every Nigerian above the age of 18 years.

During our final verification exercise we discovered an excess allocation
to our agency to the tune of Sixteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollar and we intend to keep this money for our personal
use by fronting you as one of the foreign contractors due for payment.
This sum (US$16.5Million) will be paid into your account as your
contractual entitlement.

The good news is that precisely 1st of April, 2004, 2 years after, the
government has started distributing the national identity card. The reason
am writing you this mail is that theGovernment of my country,have
approved allocation for payment due to all contractor (Foreign and Local)
to the agency and this gives us opportunity to enrich ourselves and fulfill
my ambition of becoming rich for the first time but I cannot achieve this
without the support of a foreign partner.

We are handicapped in the circumstances, as the Civil service code of
conduct does not allow us to operate offshore accounts hence your
importance in the whole transaction. Therefore, we want to utilize this
opportunity, as a lot of foreign contractors will be paid in this quarter of the
year  to transfer the fund out of the country.

But do not disclose my identity or the actual nature of this transaction as I
am still a serving officer in the ministry.In other to present you/your
Company as the beneficiary of the sum of US$16.5M. For this
purpose we will incorporate your company and register you as a
contractor with the Nigerian National Orientation Agency (NNOA).

We will also by virtue of our official positions secure for your company the
necessary backup documentation that will facilitate the release/transfer of
the fund into your account. These documents of course will be destroyed
within 10-14 working days at the successful completion of the transfer.
We want to assure you that your help will not in any way bring your
company name into disrepute.

As soon as we confirm receipt of this money in your nominated bank
account, my partner and I will come over to your country to arrange for
our own share and
possibly invest part of this money in your country.
We have agreed that you will retain 20% of the entire US$16.5M for your
efforts in this transaction, 80% for us here partners in nigeria.

Please reply urgently through my email address as we expect that the
transaction will not take more than ten working days. Please note that this
transaction must be top secret and let honesty and trust be our
watchword throughout.

Best Regards,

Oni.K.B.

  Telephone Scams

Be wary of businesses contacting you as an individual or as Business to Business.  There are so many scams around and it's easy to fall foul of them.

Remember all transactions should be slept over and you have time to read and agree to them.  Many record you stating they are recording you wanting you to say that you accept the deal and then they say they have evidence that you agreed to it.  Good examples of this are publishing companies offering to advertise for you in wall planners or other publications.

Recorded conversation cannot be offered in court, further more, failure to notify a person 
that the conversion is being recorded is a criminal offence and liable to penalties from OFTEL, plus the potential loss of the telecom license.

Unless mutually agreed in writing a contract is not binding, any changes in a contract have 
to be mutually agreed in writing,  failure to do this is non-binding.

Where a 'donation' of more than £50 is made as a result of a telephone call, the fund raiser 
must issue a notice explaining which institutions will benefit and how, and provide full details 
of the right to cancel, this is usually included on the invoice. The donor then has 7 days to 
cancel and their donation must be refunded.

Under the Charities Act, 1992 and Charitable Institutions (Fund Raising) Regulations, 1994 all 
charity related publishing houses have a responsibility to provide prospective donors and 
clients with a 'solicitation statement'. This must set out what proportion of their donation 
will be used for charitable purposes and has to be given during the course of any and each 
representation made by the publisher. It is an offence to fail to give this solicitation 
statement.

If you wish to complain about what you suspect is a 'rogue' publisher, or want further 
information you can contact your local police or local Trading Standards Office or Business Link adviser.

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