Watch What You Click

The Internet is simultaneously an almost unlimited information resource and home to untold numbers of criminals and con artists who live to separate you from your money—or even your identity. Below are the more serious dangers you're likely to face when using the web. IT FOR FIT has designed technology to filter a significant quantity of fraudulent email, but it’s nearly impossible to filter all spam without accidentally blocking good email. Please evaluate with caution any email received that requests you provide security information.

Online Fraud: Don't get hooked by a Phishing Expedition

Phishing is the practice of sending e-mail that looks like it is from a bank, brokerage house, or other (usually financial) institution such as eBay and PayPal. The e-mail directs you to click a link and then enter your account information in order to log onto the institution's website. The purpose is to steal the username and password you've established with the institution and pilfer your account.

Remember that IT For FIT will never ask for your username and password.

Though you can't usually keep such e-mail out of your inbox, you don't have to fall prey to such tactics. If you receive an e-mail from an institution with which you have an account, always expect that the e-mail is a fraud and never use a link in the message to enter your account information. If you suspect the e-mail is legitimate, you should enter the URL of the institution directly into your browser's address line in order to access the institution's website. Never trust a link embedded in a message.

The Anti-Phishing Working Group provides information about recent threats as well as tips on what to do if you fall victim to fraud.

Who's Watching You: The Dangers of Spyware

The term spyware covers a broad range of programs that, among other things, report your browsing habits to various marketing companies; inundate you with pop-up ads; or even record your keystrokes (such "keystroke loggers" are especially interested in the 16-digit sequences that make up credit cards numbers). What separates spyware from viruses is that with spyware you agree to have the offensive software installed on your computer. By clicking "Yes" to the license agreement (which most people never read) that accompanied the file-sharing software, weather-tracking software, online screen saver, password-saving utility, animated greeting card, etc. you downloaded, you agree to give over your computer to spyware. You can even get spyware from clicking a link in your buddy's instant messenger profile.

You can insulate yourself from spyware by exercising caution in where your browse and what you download. Don't download and install “free” stuff from the Internet unless you are certain it is spyware-free. (A Google search will often tell you what programs and services come with spyware attached.) If you can't be certain, don't download it. Never click on a pop-up ad, especially one that purports to be from a “spyware-cleaning” service. And do your friends a favor and don't send them any cute animated greeting cards.

Barbarians at the Gates: Dealing with Spam in your Inbox

Not only is spam an enormous nuisance, it is also the vehicle used to spread viruses and perpetrate fraud. It is therefore very important that you take whatever steps you can do minimize the amount of spam you receive.

More Deadly than Ever: Viruses go Underground

New Virus threats are identified daily with the potential to do far greater harm because it is very hard to detect. Kernel rootkits leave few if any traces of infection on a compromised computer, making them devilishly difficult to detect and erase. Your best defense is to keep your antivirus software up-to-date, use a personal firewall, and to be extraordinarily paranoid about what software you download and install on your computer. IT For FIT automatically distributes and updates anti-virus software to your FIT computer when you login to the network. However, your personal computers also need to be protected. Call Customer Service for advice and recommendations.