No security method is completely foolproof. So it’s important to back up critical files regularly, before you get hit with a problem. Learn how at www.microsoft.com/protect.
Back up your files
• Use technology to reduce your risks— Many Internet service providers and e-mail services or programs, such as Windows Live Hotmail® and Outlook® 2007, use spam filters and other technology to identify and delete billions of spam e-mails daily. New technologies, such as the Phishing Filter in Internet Explorer® 7, can detect and help block potential phishing scams.
• Manage your personal information—Before sharing personal information on a Web site, read the privacy statement. Check for https in the Web address, or other signs that the site protects sensitive data. Match the name on the Web address and the security certificate to make sure the site is legitimate and not a fake.
• Be smart online—Ignore and delete spam—any offer that seems too good to be true, probably is. Keep your personal financial information private—do not reply to e-mail from your bank or financial institution asking for account information; instead, contact the bank directly by phone or by typing their Web address into your browser. Use strong passwords for better security—at least eight characters that combine letters, numbers, and symbols. And don’t download files or click links or attachments unless you are confident you can trust the source.
By understanding how criminals use the Internet to commit crimes, you can learn to limit your risks:
Protect your personal information
0907 Part No. 098-108775 ©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Hotmail, Internet Explorer, OneCare, Outlook, Windows, Windows Live, Windows Vista, Xbox, Xbox LIVE, and Xbox 360 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT AND THE SPONSORS LISTED HEREIN, MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT.
www.staysafe.org www.microsoft.com/protect update.microsoft.com onecare.live.com kids.getnetwise.org/tools www.onguardonline.gov
Helpful Resources:
• Send all requests in writing and keep copies. When you receive your credit reports, review them carefully for inquiries you didn’t initiate, accounts you didn’t open, and unexplained debts.
• Get a copy of your credit report (free to victims of ID theft), request a fraud alert, and ask that no new credit be granted without your approval.
• Change the passwords on your online accounts.
• Speak with the security or fraud department at your banks and financial institutions, as well as other businesses where you regularly use your credit card.
If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft:
• Contact the company that is being misrepresented. It may have a special address for such reports. Example: abuse@microsoft.com.
• File a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Go to www.onguardonline.gov, and click File a Complaint.
• Forward the e-mail message to your Internet service provider.
To report phishing:
• Contact the CyberTipline at 800-843-5678 or at www.cybertipline.com, which is hosted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
• Call your local police; if the threat is immediate, call 911.
• Contact your school or community organization, if your child is being bullied online by a fellow student or teammate.
To report cyberbullies or suspected child predators:
What to do if you run into problems
Online safety and security begin with you
Fortunately, you can take a few simple steps to help protect your computer, your family, and your personal information online. The information provided here is a good start. For more online safety tips, visit www.microsoft.com/protect.
But using the Internet can expose you and your family to nuisances such as spam e-mail and instant messages, or risks such as identity theft, child predators, and security threats that may damage your computer or destroy your valuable data.
Every day, more than a billion people worldwide use the Internet to work, shop, play games, stay informed, and communicate with family and friends. For children, the Internet is a virtual classroom and playground; for adults, it is a powerful tool.
• Use up-to-date antispyware software— Antispyware programs—such as Windows Defender from Microsoft—monitor your computer for spyware and other potentially unwanted software that tracks your online activity or makes changes to your computer. Antispyware programs alert you about the software they detect and help you make decisions about how to deal with it. As with antivirus software, update your antispyware software regularly.
• Install antivirus software and keep it up to date— Antivirus programs scan everything that goes into your computer—including e-mail, discs, and data files— searching for thousands of known viruses and working to remove any they find. Subscribe to an antivirus update service, and automatically download updates to help protect your computer from the most current threats. Windows Live OneCare offers antivirus protection as part of its comprehensive computer care service.
• Keep your operating system and software updated— One of the most important things you can do to protect your computer is also one of the easiest: keep your operating system and other software up to date with the latest software. The easiest way to do this is to use the Automatic Updates feature in Windows Vista® or Windows XP SP2. You can also manually update your operating system at Microsoft Update (update.microsoft.com). For even greater protection, try the 90-day free trial of Windows Live™ OneCare™ (onecare.live.com), an always-on computer care service from Microsoft that helps protects your computer from malicious software and enhances computer performance.
• Use a firewall and keep it turned on—The firewall in your Microsoft® Windows® operating system helps to protect your computer by placing a protective barrier between your computer and the Internet, camouflaging it from criminals and malicious software such as viruses and worms.
By taking four basic steps, you can help keep your computer secure from many malicious software attacks.
Protect your computer
• Use family safety software—Microsoft provides family safety settings in a range of products— such as Windows Vista, Xbox 360™ and Xbox LIVE®, and Windows Live OneCare Family Safety—to help you manage your children’s Internet use. For a comprehensive list of popular family safety tools from many companies, see kids.getnetwise.org/tools.
• Keep personal information private—Teach your children to check with you before they share personal information about themselves or your family. Teach them to be very cautious when talking with anyone they don’t already know or trust in the real world.
• Set clear rules for Internet use—Establish clear rules about when and how your children can use the Internet, and post the rules near your family computer. Make it clear that kids will not lose their computer or other privileges if they tell you about online situations that make them uncomfortable.
• Talk to your children about what they do online—Explain Internet risks to your kids and how their behavior can increase or lessen those risks. Learn the games your children play online, which chat rooms they visit, and what they write in their blogs and their profiles on social networking sites. Teach kids to trust their instincts and to tell you immediately if they ever feel threatened or scared by something that happens online.
By understanding the benefits and risks of Internet use, and following a few basic guidelines, your family can have a safer, more secure online experience:
Protect your family