Protect Yourself and Your Business From Nasty Spam Emails and Viruses

July 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Spam e-mails are not only annoying and time consuming, but they’re also becoming more dangerous you and the security of your computer.. Millions of computer users and restaruant owners are getting infected, spoofed, and tricked by spam e-mails every year, forcing them to pay heavy fees to clean and restore their computer POS systems back in order.

These are the 3 dangers that any PC user must be aware of:

1. An increase in hijacked and spoofed e-mail addresses. Spammers has a new technology that effortlessly allows them to fool you by making it appear as though their spam e-mails are coming from YOUR own computer. This could result in having your Internet connection terminated or put on hold by your ISP - without you even knowing it. A good spam blocking software blocks inbound spam as well as unauthorized outbound spam from your serves. That's why it would be a better idea to install one for your own protection.

2. Spam e-mails with viruses attached to them. Accidentally or intentionally opening an e-mail from an unknown sender can cause you a lot of problems. Most of these unknown senders are the spammers who merrily speard their virus-infected e-mails and waits for the unlucky person to open it and/or download its content. This can cause your computer to slow down, identity theft, loose data, endless popping of adult sites or even crashes the system! What's worst is that the personal information collected from your PC can be uploaded to the internet without your permission and use it to comit crime.

3. Phishing spam. A phishing e-mail may appear to be a legitimate e-mail from a bank, vendor, friend, or other trusted source. The purpose of this is to trick you into giving confidential information such as bank accounts, social security numbers, passwords, and credit card information. You’ve probably already received you have verified your information|e-mails from banks you don't use, or even from Paypal, that notifies you to verify your account in order to continue using their service|e-mails from banks you don't use, or even from Paypal, that notifies you to verify your account or else they will close it]. It then directs you to a very convincing web site where you input certain information the spammer is trying to acquire illegally. In reality, this is a malicious third party that is going to use your information to open credit card accounts, access your account, steal money, and cause you other major identity and financial problems.

What to do to prevent this?

First and foremost, you should have a reliable spam blocking software installed.

Many retail business owner over look into this, so their restaruant POS system pays the price.

Next, you better make sure you don’t get on a spammers list in the first place. Once you’re on a spammer’s list, it’s impossible to get off; and changing your e-mail address can be a major inconvenience especially if you rely on it to stay in touch with important business and personal contacts.

Here's a couple of ways you can do to reduce the chances of your e-mail address getting on a spammer’s list:

1. Use a disposable e-mail address.

Using a free e-mail address like with Gmail or Yahoo to reduce your chance on getting listed on a spammer's list. Use this when subscribing or shopping online to avoid your main e-mail address from ending up on their broadcast list.

2. Pay attention to check boxes that automatically opt you in.

Better make sure you don't check on the box that says "Yes! I want to receive offers from third party companies." when you shop online. Chances are, your e-mail address can (and will) be sold to every online advertiser.

3. Don’t post your main e-mail address in public places like your website or blog.

Spammers uses a special program that can automatically collect e-mail addresses from web sites without your permission. If you want to post an e-mail address on your home page, use “info@” and have all replies forwarded to a folder in your in-box that won’t interfere with your main address.

4. Don’t open, reply to or try to opt-out of obvious spam e-mails.

Opening, replying to, or even clicking a bogus opt-out link in an obvious spam e-mail signals that your e-mail address is active, and more spam will follow.

The only time it is safe to click on the opt-out link or reply to the e-mail is when it is sent by a company you know or do business with (for example, a company that you purchase from or a newsletter you subscribed to).

For more information or to have a local POS professional serving the restaurant industry and your location see more information at POS-For-Restaurants.com.

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