Anti-Virus and Spyware Information Part Two

How can I decrease my risk of being a phishing victim?
Here are some safety tips:

~Be suspicious of demanding messages. Messages threatening to terminate or suspend your account without your quick response should be treated as suspicious. A legitimate business should not request personal information from you over an unsecured Web site. When in doubt, call the business' customer service number (available on your account statement) to confirm the status of your account. DO NOT use telephone numbers or click on links found on the suspected Web site or E-mail.

~Be cautious of downloads. Installing unknown software on your computer can put your personal information at risk and potentially harm your computer's hard drive. Make sure the software comes from a legitimate Web site, not an E-mail message. If you are not sure whether you should download a program, contact a customer service representative for more information.

~Always type in the URL of the Web page you need. Phishing scams rely on embedded links that take you to fake Web sites. It is safer to type your intended Web address directly into your browser so you know you are visiting the legitimate site. Bookmark the legitimate web address in your web browser if you use it repeatedly.

~Protect your password. Do not write down sensitive personal information such as your login ID, password or Social Security number. Use a password that is random enough that it can't be guessed. Try to use letters AND numbers when creating it.

~Keep your computer up-to-date. It is strongly recommend that you install anti-virus and firewall programs to help keep your computer safe and that you keep them updated with the latest patches and updates from your software providers. Also, if you use Windows, be sure to run Windows Update regularly to patch vulnerabilities as they are discovered.