How to keep your inbox safe

Emails asking people to send money abroad so that they can collect lottery money are passe now. Latest is a new online scam with an all new modus operandi that has left even security experts clueless.

Recently a college student received an email from his friend asking for 1,200 pounds (Rs 85,000) as he had lost his wallet. It came from the account of someone she knew and even bore his digital signature. However, later she found out that his friend never wrote the email.

Few months back, a businessman approached the cyber crime cell after some of his friends received a mail from his Hotmail account requesting them to send him Rs 1.27 lakh.

And mind you, such incidents are on a rise, security experts have warned that cyber criminals are hacking mail accounts and sending mails to addresses in the contact list to extract money.

So, how can you make sure you don't become a victim of one? Here are five golden rules to follow to make sure you don't become a victim.

Separate personal and official IDs

The best way to avoid such a situation is to have two email IDs with separate and long passwords -- one official, the other for personal use. Not only it will leave you better organised, but is the easiest way to keep cyber criminals at bay.

Also, be sure of the password you use. Remember, while easy passwords leave little room for forgetting, they leave a lot of scope for tinkering by cyber hackers.

With Internet becoming an important repository of our personal information both financial and otherwise, the stakes can be high if the same is tampered with.

So try using some mixed combos that can secure your mail. Length is a huge advantage to memorise your password. And always remember your name, spouse name, children names or birthdays are a strict no no.

Don't click tempting links

In case you receive emails saying 'You have won $50,000' or 'You won a trip to US', beware. There is surely a hidden trap in it. Don't get tempted by such mails as these may lead you to malicious sites. You may end up downloading a virus or in a worst case surrender your computer to a hacker.

Also, do not click on random links, especially on invitation from ‘hot sirens.’ Watch out for email-related scams such as phishing lotteries, windfalls, jobs, gifts, inheritance, etc.

If you receive an email asking you to give your personal information by clicking a website link in the email, do not do so. Instead, go directly to the sender’s website by typing in the sender’s website address.

Install security software

Install security software to scan and remove viruses and spywares. Regularly check for security updates for your computer. Most security updates are aimed at reducing risks to your computer, these may be data-related or otherwise.

In a 24X7 online environment, it is important to have anti-virus and anti-spyware programmes installed for secure online experience. Also, these programmes need to be frequently updated to avoid any attack on your computer.

You can do a recee of the Internet for popular anti-virus and anti-spyware solutions. There are also several paid options like McAfee, Norton Anti-virus and Trend Micro.

Beware of fake mails

Beware of mails from ‘banks’ seeking personal information. Almost ninety percent of such mails are fake. If you receive an email asking you to verify information like account number or password, do not respond. Check the url of the mail carefully.

Never give out personal information over mail or on the Internet unless you are sure you know whom you are dealing with.

If you are sharing personal information, confirm that you are dealing with a legitimate person or organisation.

Be `to the point' at Cyber cafes

Cyber cafes are the hot breeding grounds for online criminals. So never send mails with personal details like PINs or other financial details like account number or passwords from cyber cafes.

Also don't leave the PC unattended after keying in information while transacting on the website. Avoid accessing your emails at cyber cafes or on a shared or public computer.

Also, avoid locations that offer online connections through wireless networks (Wi-Fi), where privacy and security are minimal. It may give hackers an effortless way to hack your mail and access your personal information.

Source : infotech.indiatimes