My mother is on the Internet and uses email somewhat frequently to communicate with myself and her grandkids. Sometimes she mentions strange emails she receives. How can she protect herself from online scams?
Dear Kansas Consumer,
Internet crime is a growing problem in Kansas and across the country. It can cause seniors to feel vulnerable in their online activity. On the one hand, the Internet allows us all to communicate with loved ones; at the same time, it provides a gateway for criminals to exploit our most private information.
Seniors sometimes feel embarrassed if they are taken advantage online. People of all ages become victims of Internet crime, and they should seek help immediately.
There are several steps we can take to better protect our personal information from online criminals:
• Protect your personal information (name, social security number, account numbers, etc.). To minimize your risk of identity theft, don’t share this information unless you know how it will be used and protected. Don’t reply, or click on, emails asking for this information.
• Know who you’re dealing with. When shopping online, look for the dealer’s physical address and telephone number. Call to make sure the number works. Before you download free software, make sure you read the small print to avoid spyware.
• Understand any offers you take. Read the fine print and ask the company for more information about products or services if needed. A legitimate company will be willing to provide this, a scammer won’t. Make sure you know the total costs, delivery date and any cancellation or return policies. Print out the information so you have documentation.
• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall. Update them all regularly. Look for anti-virus software that removes or quarantines viruses and anti-spyware that can undo changes the software makes to your system. Make sure your firewall is set up properly and turned on.
• Be sure to set up your operating system and web browser software properly. Select security settings high enough to reduce your risk of being hacked and make sure to regularly update your system with the latest patches.
• Protect your passwords. Keep your passwords in a secure place, and don’t share them on the Internet, over email or on the phone. The longer the password, the better.
• Back up important files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them to a removable disc and store it in a safe place.
• Don’t download programs from web sites you’re not familiar with. Suspicious sites may contain viruses in their downloaded programs.
These are a few easy tips all Kansans can use to stay safe online. As your Attorney General, I am working through our Cyber Crime Unit to protect Kansans who may fall victim to Internet crime. We will continue to educate consumers to help prevent Internet crime and prosecute crimes perpetrated over the Internet.
For more tips about online safety, visit our website at www.ksag.org or call our office at (800) 432-2310. Or file an Internet crime complaint at www.ic3.gov.
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