What can I do to protect myself from spyware?
Q: Nearly every day, I hear of some new Internet threat. What can I do to protect myself from spyware and other online hazards?
A: (Attorney General Rob McKenna) Here are some of the hazards, and ways to protect yourself:
Spyware: deceptive software that can monitor, collect and transmit personal information; change settings affecting privacy and security; and take control of your computer.
To protect yourself, don’t install any software unless you know exactly what it is. Install anti-spyware software, and regularly scan for programs that may sneak onto your computer. Several free anti-spyware programs are available online at CNET.com and Microsoft.com .
Phishing: e-mails that appear to come from businesses such as a bank, online auction site or Internet service provider. The messages usually ask you to validate your account information and contain links to lookalike Web sites that instruct you to “re-enter” personal information.
To protect yourself, don’t reply to e-mails that ask for personal information, and don’t click on links in e-mails or pop-ups.
Spoofed Web sites: bear similar names to legitimate ones and even include trademarked images. Hackers may also use a ploy known as “pharming” to redirect Internet traffic from one Web site to another, tricking you into entering your user name and password, which they can later use to access your account.
To protect yourself, always verify that you have a secure connection. Look for the yellow lock icon on the status bar and a Web address that begins with “https” instead of the standard “http:” Double-click the lock icon to display the security certificate for the site. Don’t click on links in e-mail messages or pop-ups.
If you’re a victim of any of these ploys, here’s how to report them:
• Malicious or deceptive spyware: File a complaint with the FTC at www.ftc.gov and the Attorney General’s Office at www.atg.wa.gov .
• Hacking or computer viruses: Contact your ISP, the hacker’s ISP (if you can tell what it is) and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov .
