Linda's Blog

Spam Alert: New ‘IRS Stimulus Payment’ Phishing Scam

2009-02-12T02:31:00Z

Playing on the financial angst of consumers, criminals posing as the IRS and armed with e-mail addresses such as service@irs.gov and tax-refund@irs.gov , are trying once again to deceive the unwary. How do you know if it’s a scam? For starters, the IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail. Ever. This scam contains a ‘form’ for you to download. In the variant I received, clicking on the form actually took me to a defunct Web site. In researching this scam, the Web site link appears...(read more)

Internet Safety @ the Consumer Electronics Show

2009-02-12T02:22:00Z

Last week, I was a panel moderator for Kids at Play Summit , a unique section of the annual Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas. The show is the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow and this year it featured consumer technology products in 30 categories with more than 2,700 exhibitors showing their wares. Just the fact that there is a unique Kids at Play section of the conference is a testament to the growing interest in providing a richer and safer online experience for youth, and...(read more)

Evaluating Your Need for ID Theft Insurance

2009-02-12T01:52:00Z

With the dramatic increase in identity theft, there has been a correlating surge in the popularity of ID theft insurance. Advertisements for this type of insurance are everywhere - billboards, radio, magazines, TV and online - but how do you know if you actually need identity insurance? For some, the price of ID theft insurance is well worth the peace of mind it provides, particularly as the incident rate of identity theft continues to rise. However, it is important to know what ID theft insurance...(read more)

Three Keys to Staying Safer Online

2009-02-12T01:33:00Z

Though there are several skills you can acquire to stay safe depending on your activities, there are three main aspects to Internet safety that every user must understand and incorporate into online behavior to be protected online. Understand the potential safety risks online in both a broad and factual manner By broad I mean that the risks aren’t just the oft-publicized trio of ID theft, cyberbullying, and sexual predation. Online risks cover a full gamut of crimes that may leverage the Internet....(read more)

Time to Test Your Spam Skills

2008-12-20T22:27:00Z

It seems that in spite of a major ‘spam bust ’ in October, the amount of junk coming to my email account continues to increase and I suspect you are experiencing the same phenomena. Knowing how to spot spam is one of the best ways to increase your Internet safety, and we try to keep you up-to-date on new spam scams and as well as the general characteristics to always watch for – you can learn more on these recent posts Common e-mail scams , New Email Scams to Watch Out For , The ‘News Alert Scam’...(read more)

Websites That Get You Moving

2008-12-16T20:26:00Z

If your waistline started the outward slide from the Thanksgiving feast through the holiday parties, the Web is a great resource to can help you get out, and get moving. Greg Adler, of PC World recently recommended his five favorite sites for outdoor adventures ; I have added a few more to broaden the list: SkierNet – this is a sister site to Slackerpacker (found on Greg’s list) that is designed by skiers for skiers. It gives a great directory of ski area information by state ‘from community rope...(read more)

Are You Suffering from ‘Cybercondria’?

2008-12-06T02:17:00Z

Are You Suffering from ‘Cybercondria’? New research from Microsoft explores the impact of health-related Web content on consumer behavior. Their conclusion? A great many of us suffer from ‘cyberchondria’ - the practice of drawing dire conclusions about one’s health from researching symptoms and conditions online. The researchers found that among their study sample, roughly 2% of Web queries were health-related, and about a quarter of these included at least one medical search. About a third of sample...(read more)

New Email Scams to Watch Out For

2008-12-05T20:13:00Z

A new crop of email scams making the rounds follow the 2 key principles every scam artist learns: make the scam relevant to the concerns of consumers today, and attempt to be plausible. Practice your scam spotting skills to avoid being ripped off by the following emails: The Federal Bailout Claim – “You’ve qualified for a $7,500 recession aid credit line” This scam plays off the hopes of consumers struggling with debt and entices people to fall further behind with overspending. Look at the clues:...(read more)

Kid-Safe Web Worlds – Déjà vu or Smarter the Second Time Around?

2008-11-30T22:20:00Z

Several new kid-safe websites like KidZui and iLand5.com have emerged that provide controlled environments where the content and communication are carefully monitored to protect kids from a variety of online risks. Sound familiar ? These products represent the latest evolution of the Internet walled garden concept – where only an exclusive set of content is provided to subscribers. Walled gardens can be a great way to go for families as long as you understand the limitations with using them. A quick...(read more)

Product Review - eGuardian

2008-11-29T07:08:00Z

Product: eGuardian Claim: Provides “unparalleled protection from online predators” Price: $29.00 for a lifetime enrollment Their pitch: Their Guarantee: “ eGuardian is guaranteed to protect your child online — while not limiting his or her Internet options” How it works: “ eGuardian is not site-blocking software or content filter. eGuardian uses its unique process to identify your child’s age group, allowing sites to provide age-appropriate content, build communities with other eGuardian-verified...(read more)

Savvy Shopping this Holiday Season

2008-11-27T04:18:00Z

With the economy down, online bargain hunting is fast becoming a national sport. Internet retailers are expecting to win big as traditional stores struggle to match the Internet’s convenience and prices…. and the holiday sales wars are just heating up. Getting a great deal online involves more than just getting the lowest price. You want to be sure that products arrive on time, that quality is what you expected, that items include a proper warranty, and that there is a way for you to return products...(read more)

What are Bots, Zombies, and Botnets?

2008-11-23T04:23:00Z

News about internet crimes often mentions 'bots', 'zombies', and ‘botnets’. It’s not hard to figure out from the context that these are computer or network security threats. But what exactly are they and how do they work? A 'bot' is a type of malicious code that allows an attacker to take complete control over the affected computer – turning the computer into a ‘ro bot ’ that the criminal can remotely control. Once infected, these machines may also be referred to as 'zombies'. While taking over one...(read more)

Protecting Children From Online Sexual Predators

2008-11-18T00:44:00Z

I recently asked “how can parents help protect their children from sexual predators online?”. The answer is, the same way you help keep them away from predators everywhere else. Protect children when young, arm them with the skills they need to value themselves, and help them feel empowered to say no . Give them the love and support they need, and pray that they will be among the majority of kids and teens that will go through childhood without being victims of sexual exploitation. Then, you give...(read more)

Cellphones Help Connect Families

2008-10-22T03:59:00Z

N ew research confirms what many families already knew – cellphones help them stay closer. While most news articles focus on the negative aspects of new technologies and Internet services, the benefits we reap as a society, as couples, as families, and as individuals, far outweigh the risks – when some basic safety precautions are in place. According to a new report published by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (PEW), technology has become a central feature of families’ day-to-day lives....(read more)

LOOKBOTHWAYS and CyberPatrol Launch Internet Safety Video Series

2008-10-09T05:09:00Z

In recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, LOOK BOTH WAYS and CyberPatrol have created four family-oriented Internet safety videos that give parents, educators and others, quick and accessible advice on how to protect children online. See the Video: Discussing Internet Safety Guidelines in a Positive and Collaborative Way Watch for these three additional videos during the month of October: • Exposing Private Information-Things You Can Do To Be Safer • Careful Where you Click-Family...(read more)