Protect Yourself after you Connect

Know whom you're dealing with

There are dishonest people on the Internet, just as there are dishonest people out on the street every day. But when you're online, you can't judge an operator's trustworthiness with a gut-affirming look in the eye. It's remarkably simple for online scammers to impersonate a legitimate business, so it's important to be cautious.

• If you're shopping online, check out the seller before you buy. A legitimate business or individual seller should give you a physical address and a working telephone number at which they can be contacted in case you have problems.
• If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. For example, if someone is selling current software at a fraction of its cost, the software is either an illegal copy, has a virus installed to send personal information back to a hacker, or both.

Guard your personal information and read privacy policies

Anytime you provide personal information to a website, that information could be sold to others. Before you enter any information, check out the website's privacy policy to find out:

• What personal information the website collects
• How the information is used
• Whether any personal information is provided (or sold) to third parties
• Whether you have the right to see the information the website has about you
• What security measures are taken to protect your information

If you don't see a privacy policy — or if you can't understand it — consider doing business elsewhere.

Pay attention to warnings

If you're downloading a picture, a document or any other type of file, and your operating system gives you a warning that you are downloading an application, think twice. Install software only from vendors and websites that you know and trust.

Watch out for “phishy” e-mails

“Phishing” is a technique used by thieves who send e-mails pretending to be from a legitimate retailer, bank, organization or government agency. These thieves are trying to trick people into providing their Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, PIN information, mothers' maiden names and other personal information. The sender asks to “confirm” your personal information for some made-up reason — they may say that your account is about to be closed, an order for something has been placed in your name, or your information has been lost because of a computer problem.

Another phishing tactic is to send an e-mail that looks like it's coming from the fraud department of a well-known company and ask to verify your information — because they supposedly suspect you may be a victim of identity theft! In one case, a phisher claimed to be from a state lottery commission and requested people's banking information to deposit their “winnings” into their accounts.

Once scammers have “phished” out your information, they could use it to make unauthorized purchases, sell it to identity theft rings or even clear out your bank accounts. If you accidentally open something suspicious, here's what to do (and not do):

• Do not open any attachments
• Don't click on any links
• Delete the e-mail right away — and permanently (don't just “trash” it)
• Notify ANB immediately if you receive anything questionable that claims to come from us

Don't click on links within e-mails that ask for your personal information

Be wary of any e-mail requesting your account information and password — particularly if the information is needed to “award a prize” or “verify a statement.” Clicking on the links within these e-mails will take you to a phony website that impersonates the authentic site of a well-known company, organization or agency. If you follow the instructions and enter your personal information on the website, you'll deliver it directly into the hands of identity thieves.

To check whether the message is authentic, call the company, organization or agency directly or use your search engine to find the real website (do not click on the links inside the suspicious e-mail).

Use secure websites for transactions and shopping

Secure websites will provide encryption of any data you enter. ANB.com provides 128-bit encryption — the highest level commercially available today.

How can you know if a site is secure?

• Look for a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window.
• Check to see if the Web address of the page you are viewing begins with “https://...”. The “s” indicates that the site is secured using encryption.
• If you go to a secured website and a box pops up asking you to accept “credentials,” you are more than likely not going on a legitimate site. Quit your browser immediately.

Protect your passwords

Keep your passwords in a secure place and out of plain view. Don't share your passwords on the Internet, over e-mail or on the phone. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) should never ask for your password.

In addition, hackers may try to figure out your passwords to gain access to your computer. To make it tougher for them:

• Use passwords that have at least eight characters and include numbers or symbols. The longer the password, the tougher it is to crack. A 12-character password is stronger than one with eight characters.
• Avoid common words: Some hackers use programs that can try every word in the dictionary.
• Don't use your personal information, your login name or adjacent keys on the keyboard as passwords.
• Change your passwords regularly (at a minimum, every 90 days).
• Don't use the same password for each online account you access.
• Memorize your passwords — don't write them down or share them with anyone.
• Do not use your Social Security number as a username or password.
• Click here to see a video that demonstrates how to protect yourself.

One way to create a strong password is to think of a memorable phrase and use the first letter of each word as your password, converting some letters into numbers that resemble letters. For example, “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck” would become HmWc@wC.

Avoid file-sharing software

Every day, millions of computer users share files online. File-sharing can give people access to a wealth of information — including music, games and software. How does it work? You download special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers running the same software. Millions of users could be connected to each other through this software at one time. Often the software is free and easily accessible.

But file-sharing can have a number of risks. If you don't check the proper settings, you could allow access not just to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your hard drive — like your tax returns, e-mail messages, medical records, photos or other personal documents. In addition, you may unwittingly download pornography labeled as something else. Or you may download material that is protected by copyright laws, which would mean you could be breaking the law.