Security tips to stay safe this summer
July 4, 2012 by Network Security
Filed under Software security tools
PandaLabs published its protection guidelines for customers to stay safe this season and prevent becoming a victim to pc scams. During summer time season, individuals (especially children) have more sparetime on their hands for using computer systems and linking to the internet more frequently, thus increasing the risk of becoming victims to harmful code.
One of the latest frauds that has appeared lately involves sending bogus flight verification e-mails. The potential victim gets a bogus verification for ‘recently purchased tickets’ with instructions on how to start an connection to view the ticket. The file, however, is a Virus from the Sinowal family that is designed to grab users’ private details.
“In the summer, many people book flights online to get to their holiday destinations,” said Luis Corrons, technical director of PandaLabs. “Cyber-crooks are taking advantage of this situation to send a new wave of fake emails aimed at tricking users into opening the attachments and infecting their computers.”
PandaLabs is continually assessing the latest Internet trends, and with this in thoughts, offers the following advice to help safeguard users’ protection this season:
Use cautiously the community media sites: People give out too much details about their vacation plans on websites, even giving hints to criminals off about their vacant homes. Check privacy settings and prevent giving personal details on community social networking websites.
Install adult controls: Kids take more time in front of computer systems during summer season vacation. Installing a good adult control program on the pc will help minimize children’s weeknesses on the Internet.
If you can prevent it, never use a shared computer: If using a shared or community pc on vacation is a must, prevent identity scams by making sure your account doesn’t automatically save your password and user ID. If you suppose the computer’s protection has been affected by a viruses, leave it and use another. Take care when linking an external device to the pc, as it may become infected without your knowledge.
Take care with email: E-mail is one of the main viruses places, so pay special attention to it. Do not start messages from unknown senders or click on suspicious links.
Beware of open/shared Wi-Fi networks: You could be connecting up to a network set up by online hackers to grab any details that you share across the Internet. When you connect to email, websites, be sure you are using a protected connection (https), so that traffic is secured and no one else can access the details.
Keep your pc up-to-date: Malware looks to manipulate existing protection holes in systems to contaminate them. Ensure that all necessary protection areas and up-dates are properly set up.
Protect your computer: You should have reliable, up-to-date protection set up on your pc.
“By following PandaLabs’ tips for staying secure, users can enjoy their summer vacations with greater peace of mind. Just as people would lock all doors and windows before going on vacation, consumers should also take great care to protect their digital worlds,” Corrons also said.
