AARP Protecting Yourself Online For Dummies

Protect your privacy and use the internet safely!

Dont let news about internet risks deter you from taking full advantage of its benefits! The web is such an amazing and useful resource for connecting with friends and family, shopping, banking, catching up on current events, and getting help in a myriad of ways. Let AARPsProtecting Yourself Online For Dummies arm you with the information you need to use the internet with confidence. Youll learn:

• How and why risks can occur
• Steps to protect yourself from identity theft, fraud, and e-mail scams
• Expert tips for creating strong passwords and storing them safely
• Information you need to keep your online banking and shopping accounts safe

 By reading this guide and following a few safety precautions, you can be confident and risk-free as you enjoy a connected, digital life online!

Nancy Muir arbeitete als Managerin in der Computer- und Videoindustrie, bildet heute Manager in Projektmanagement aus und ist eine erfolgreiche Computerbuch-Autorin.

Ryan C. Williams is a versatile technologist who has written on topics from security to digital music to social networking. He incorporated the expertise of 14 other For Dummies authors into this book.

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Icons Used in This Book 2

Where to Go from Here 2

Chapter 1: Safeguarding Your Identity 3

Assessing Your Information 4

Protecting Your Privacy 5

Dealing with Privacy Thieves 6

How thieves obtain your info 6

What to look for in privacy policies 8

Responding to Identity Theft or Fraud 9

Knowing Your Resources 10

Chapter 2: Protecting Yourself from Viruses, Spyware, and Scams 13

Identifying Common Ways Information Is Compromised 14

Viruses 14

Worms 15

Macro viruses 15

Trojan horses 16

Bots 16

Spyware 16

Rootkits 16

Protecting Yourself 17

Recognizing Scams 18

Gone phishing 18

Looking for love 19

Health care scams 19

Bogus charities 20

Bogus invoices 20

Phony investments 21

Temporary account suspension 21

Job scams 22

Chapter 3: Password Secrets 23

Where Do I Use Passwords? 23

Choosing and Protecting Passwords 24

Storing and Recalling Passwords 25

Understanding Password Vulnerabilities 27

Using Encryption 28

Appreciating Password Enhancements 29

Answering Security Questions 30

Chapter 4: Risk-Free E-Mail 31

Following E-Mail Safety Basics 32

Creating Safe E-Mail Aliases 33

Hiding Your Name in E-Mails 35

Opening an Attachment 35

Managing Spam 36

Using Spam Filters 36

Filing a Spam Complaint 37

Recognizing Fraud and Scams 38

Avoiding the Latest E-Mail Scam of the Day 39

Avoiding Phishing 39

Chapter 5: Shopping and Banking Safely 41

Vetting Websites Critically 41

Considering Online Versus Offline Banking 42

Evaluating an Online Shop 43

Guarding Your Card Online 44

Ordering stuff without sharing your primary account information 44

Embracing safe shopping practices 45

Chapter 6: Ten Things You Can Do Today to Protect Yourself 47

Use Two-Factor Authentication 47

Stay Safe While Gaming 47

Secure Your Public and Private Wi-Fi Connections 48

Understand and Use Privacy Settings on Social Media Sites 48

Protect Devices with Passwords 49

Choose Carefully Whom You Share Personal Info with Online 49

Give Up On Safe Ways to Back Up Your Files Online 49

Consider Location Settings on Devices 50

Create a Google Alert for Your Name 50

Surf Privately in Public 51