Category Archives: Cyber Safety

10 Things You Can Do to be Safer When Shopping Online

November 19, 2012 By in Cyber Safety, F-secure Tags: , , , Leave a comment

10 Things You Can Do to be Safer When Shopping Online:

I like the convenience of shopping online: no waiting for a turn, no need to drive or find parking; I can comparison shop for the best value, and many sites offer free shipping and free returns, and the stores are always open. Done safely and securely, what’s not to like?

Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the need for safety and security when shopping online. There are two key factors that determine your level of safety when shopping or conducting any financial transaction online: the first is how well you secure your computing environment; the second is how savvy you are at identifying scams vs. legitimate offers. Crooks are counting on you to fail in one of these areas.

10 simple steps will help you have positive, safer online shopping experiences:

  1. Secure your computers and smartphones with anti-virus and anti-spyware – Keep them current and use them unfailingly-as automatically as locking your door when you leave the house. If your computer or phone isn’t protected, your financial information, passwords and identity will be stolen. This concept is so basic, yet only 20% of the US population adequately protects their computers.
  2. Secure your internet connection – Make sure your computer’s firewall is on. If you use a wireless network it needs to be encrypted so someone who is lurking outside the house can’t collect your information. If you need a free firewall, search online for ‘best free firewall’.
  3. Don’t use public WiFi hotspots for financial transactions – Never log onto sensitive sites (banking, shopping…) from an unsecured connection you don’t know what malware may be lurking on it.
  4. Trust is key. Know the merchant – or their reputation
    1. If you know the retail chain, shopping their online store is pretty safe. If there’s a problem you can always walk into the local store for help. Similarly, if you know others who have had consistently positive experiences with the online store, you can be reassured of the site’s quality.
    2. If you don’t know the store, it may still be a good choice; you just need to take a few more precautions. Conduct your own background check by looking at sites dedicated to reviewing e-stores (for example, Epinions, BizRate, or the Better Business Bureau)
    3. Avoid any e-store that promises too much at too low a price. If the price is low, you have to consider whether the merchant came by the items legally, whether you will ever receive the items, whether the items will work, if you will be able to return damaged goods, or if the merchant is also generating revenue by selling your financial information. Disreputable stores frequently run an absurdly low price offer and then, claiming the item is out of stock, try to sell you something else; a classic “bait and switch” technique.
    4. Does the merchant resell, rent, or share your information? Check the site’s privacy policy to understand how exposed your information may become. Many stores clearly state that they do not share, sell or rent consumer’s information – others say they own your info and can use it (or abuse it) however they choose. Stick to the companies that respect your privacy.
  5. Don’t navigate to a store by clicking on links in online ads, unsolicited emails, on social networking sites or anywhere else – It can be very difficult to tell if a link will take you to the site you intend to visit, or a malicious site designed to fool you into giving away your information. Find the correct website yourself using a search engine, the extra 30 seconds of effort will save you from identity theft misery.
  6. Need a Password? – Make it Unique - Creating strong memorable passwords is easy and can actually be fun – and the payoff in increased safety is big. The key aspects of a strong password are length (the longer the better); a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols; and no tie to your personal information.
  7. Does the merchant want more information than is necessary to complete the sale? If you purchase something, you will need to provide some method of payment, your address, and a telephone number or email so the store can contact you if there are issues. If the merchant requests your bank account information, social security information, or driver’s license number, NEVER provide it. Some reputable companies ask additional questions about your interests. These should always be optional and you should avoid providing responses.
  8. Make sure the site is secure  – before entering any personal or credit card info
    1. Look to see if the web address on the page begins with “https”, not of “http” You should also see a small padlock symbol at the bottom or top of your screen.
    2. Never pay, or share financial information, through email; only make payments online though secure sites.
  9. Use Your Credit Card – never Debit Card, Check, Cashier’s Check, Wire Transfer, or Money order – or use a well-respected payment service like PayPal – Credit card purchases limit your liability to no more than $50 of unauthorized charges if your financial information is stolen, and the money in your bank account is untouched. Most debit cards do not offer this protection – and even when they do, you’re the one out of funds in the meantime.
  10. Check your credit reports and consider putting a freeze on your accounts – Block ID thieves from opening new accounts under your name by freezing or blocking access to your credit files. - Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to one free credit disclosure in every 12-month period from each of the three national credit reporting companies. Or, you can pay for credit monitoring services that will immediately alert you to any suspicious activity or changes in your credit scores.

The key to successful online shopping is being careful – getting your ID stolen, having your computer infected, or getting ripped off is no bargain.

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Computer!

December 30, 2011 By in Cyber Safety, F-secure, Frontier Communications 1 Comment

It’s that time of the year again. Everyone is deciding on their New Year’s Resolutions! From losing to weight, to working out and quitting smoking, resolutions run the gamut. Instead of telling you the top resolutions, we’ve compiled a list of resolutions, not for you, but for your computer!

  1. Update Passwords. It may sound simple, but when was the last time you actually updated your passwords?  If you change your passwords frequently the chances of someone hacking your account significantly decreases!
  2. Check Privacy Settings. Believe it or not privacy settings are not just for Facebook and Twitter! Make sure to check all of your privacy settings for ALL the services you use. And don’t forget to use the feature that allows you to see how your profile looks to the general public!
  3. Back Up Your Harddrive. In this fast-paced technology-savy generation, you most likely store your life on your computer. What would you do if you suddenly lost all of your files? You’d probably be devastated. Between hardware failure and data corruption, keeping a backup of your important files should be a top priority in 2012.
  4. Update Contact Information. While we don’t encourage you to reveal any personal information over the Internet – from your work address, home address, phone number, etc. – this is a good time to update information on your online banking profile or other secure accounts.
  5. Stay Up-to-Date. Update the latest versions on your operating systems, installed applications and anti-virus/security software. Neglecting to do so leaves you open to data-loss and other issues. (Source Nos. 1-5)
  6. If You Put it on the Internet, it’s There for Good. Once you put something on the Internet it stays there – virtually forever. Before you give away information over the net, take a minute to read the fine print and see what the site is going to do with it. Sure, reading the legal information is tedious, but it could be something you regret not doing later. In general, use this motto – Think Twice, Post Once. (Source)

And did we mention that Frontier offers PC Security for up to 3 computers in our Frontier Secure package? Frontier Secure is a holistic backup and security solution, designed to protect you from losing your data while maximizing your protections against computer viruses, malware, and spyware.

Tips to Stay Cyber Safe While Holiday Shopping

November 21, 2011 By in Cyber Safety Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

For those Cyber Monday online shoppers we wanted to share some simple tips to help keep you safe while taking care of that holiday list.

1. Make sure your PC is safe. You should have the most up-to-date security software and firewalls.
2. Use common sense. When in doubt don’t open suspicious e-mails or attachments from someone you don’t know or click on suspicious links for too good to be true deals. You might accidentally download malicious software (malware) that gives criminals remote access to your PC. And NEVER respond to an e-mail seeking your personal financial information. Trusted companies such as banks and financial planners never ask for this info via e-mail.
3. Don’t pay with a debit card. Cybercriminals can tap into your checking and savings accounts through your debit card so don’t use it.
4. Pay with a credit card and check your credit card statements often. It’s best to use a credit card because you can dispute unauthorized charges and use a card with a low limit.
5. Keep your online receipts. After purchasing an item online, save your checkout information receipt, and save any e-mail that is a record of the purchase. This will help you keep track of your credit card purchases.
6. Sign up for credit card security measures as credit card companies have detection programs that notify you if suspicious activity occurs on your card.
7. Set up a separate e-mail account for online shopping.
8. When a URL starts with https:// not http:// you know you’re shopping on a secure site. At Frontier, an extra measure we implemented is customers can only pay their bill or shop on www.frontieronline.com by logging into their Frontier account with their username and password, or through their unique account number and pin.

And to help protect all your digital content at home or on the go check out Frontier Secure with backup on a separate secure server, live unlimited U.S.-based tech support 24/7, PC tune-ups and protection from both viruses and cyber theft.

3 Reasons to Backup Your Data Online

May 19, 2011 By in Cyber Safety, F-secure, Frontier Communications, Peace of Mind Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Here’s some good news from our online security partner F-secure: More people are backing up their irreplaceable data and media. Are you?

In 2009, an F-Secure survey revealed that 44% of Internet users failed to do any sort of backup whatsoever.  But times have changed. A new F-Secure poll of 609 Internet users finds that only 14% of users do not make regular backups—a 68% decrease in less than two years.

New methods of backup are catching on—especially online backup. In 2009, only 5% of those surveyed were using online backup. That number is now 24%—a 380% increase.

Why are so many people choosing to backing up their files in the “cloud”? Here are the three reasons why many of Frontier’s customers have switched to online backup.

1. Online backup is easy and automatic.
Once installed and running, Online Backup doesn’t require the discipline that tape/disk/CD/DVD backups do. The backup occurs without interruption as you work. Most importantly, it doesn’t require me to remember to do it.

2. You can’t step on it, spill anything on it or leave it out in the sun.
Any backup system that works for you is better than no backup at all. But having backup disks and drives around may not be the best option for your lifestyle. Online backup saves your files in a location that’s not on your computer and not anywhere in your general location so you can’t lose the data. It also organizes your files in a way that makes sense—important files, Office files, pictures and videos, music and E-mail are automatically saved in your own little corner of the cloud using the same file system as on your PC.

3. New online threats require constant backups.
Have you heard of ransomware? It’s malware that encrypts your files and holds them hostage unless you pay a ransom for their release. If you’re hit by this obnoxious threat, you only hope is that you have your files backed up somewhere not on your computer recently. Online backup greatly increases the chances of having a current version of your files safe and sound if the worst case scenario becomes a reality.

Ready to start backing up your digital life? Sign up for Frontier Peace of Mind through the Great Frontier Donate and we will donate $10 back to your local chapter of the American Red Cross, our partners in preparedness. For details visit our partnership page – www.frontier.com/redcross.

Stay Safe While Social Networking

April 5, 2011 By in Cyber Safety Tags: , , , 1 Comment

There are now more social networking accounts than there are people in the world according to figures from In-Stat research firm. Now more than ever, it is important to keep your social networking site safe from malicious programs and hackers trying to steal your personal information.

When you are the target of malicious programs on social networks hackers gain access to all of the personal information that is on your site, and they gain access to your network; your friends on Facebook and your followers on Twitter. Check your social networking sites every day to make sure you have not been hacked.

The best case scenario is that an attack never happens at all. So, what can you do to prevent an attack? Follow these 5 steps:

  1. Passwords: Don’t choose a common password such as “123456”. Make your password more personal, such as the name of your favorite sports team combined with your favorite number, or the name of your favorite teacher.
  2. Information: Include as little personal information as possible. That might be difficult considering that’s exactly what you are doing most of the time on your Facebook page or Twitter site, but do not include information such as any financial information, your birthday, address, e-mail address, phone number, etc.
  3. Limit Participation: The more social networks you are a member of, the greater your chances are of being attacked. Keep the number of social networking sites you use to two or three at the most. Stick to the networks that are the most popular, such as Twitter and Facebook, because they are more credible and have more safety standards.
  4. Safety: Speaking of safety, make sure you update the privacy settings on your social networking pages. You can limit which friends and followers see your content. For example on Facebook, you can control who your posts go to by customizing the “Settings” icon of your profile page. On Twitter, you can make sure you receive a notification when someone new is following you, which alerts you to any new people that are able to view your content.
  5. Security: Make sure your computer has the latest security software. It protects your computer against attack from social media hackers, viruses, spyware, and other Internet threats.

Following these tips should keep you safe from attacks on your social networking sites.

Electronic Preparedness is Peace of Mind Before & After a Disaster

March 24, 2011 By in Cyber Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Frontier Communications, Red Cross Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Frontier Communications Peace of Mind PC Support Keeps your Files Safe at All Times

Preparedness is top of mind for all of us across the Pacific Northwest. Most notably the recent series of disasters: earthquake, tsunami, flooding, snow, and nuclear crises are reminders of the reality that could happen in our backyard. According to a survey by Acronis,  29% of consumers do not back up the files, photos and music on their machines at all.  In fact, only 15 percent of consumers back up on a regular basis.

“An important step of being prepared involves making the necessary arrangements to be able to fully restore your electronic data after a disaster. In today’s digital world many people have large amounts of their personal information stored electronically on their computer,” said Denise Baumbach, President of Frontier’s West Region. “Through Frontier’s Peace of Mind unlimited hard drive back up service we are able to help our customers easily restore their most precious photos, videos, and data.”

Imagine what it would be like after a disaster having to rebuild your life from a necessities standpoint of shelter, food and clothing. Now imagine adding the complexity of having to rebuild your most important data files and documents. Frontier’s Peace of Mind service ensures unlimited backup of your electronic data files, which are stored at remote backup centers throughout the United States. Important files are not only protected but also easily retrievable and accessible.

“Having an external hard drive backup is not enough after a disaster. Being digitally prepared means backing up your data to a secure online site,” said Baumbach. “Frontier’s Peace of Mind PC support is the leading service available for online data backup and more. We are committed to helping customers in our communities be prepared to recover vital information and communications, regardless of Mother Nature’s impact or a virus attack. Frontier is offering Peace of Mind at a reduced rate through April 30, 2011 for $12.99 per month. When you sign up through the Great Frontier Donate, we will donate $10 to your local Chapter of the American Red Cross, our partner in preparedness.”

Frontier Communications and the American Red Cross are partnering to promote public and personal safety and crisis preparation in Oregon and Washington. Through the end of the year, the communities Frontier serves in these states will see enhanced support through events and activities on preparedness education in addition to CPR/AED (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator) safety training, blood services, and Service to Armed Forces.

In addition to Frontier’s electronic preparedness and ensuring your data is protected, the Red Cross encourages you to be Red Cross Ready by taking three simple steps to ensure you and your family is prepared: get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.

Frontier Communications is also supporting the Red Cross through the Great Frontier Donate program. As new customers sign up for Frontier High Speed Internet, Digital Phone and Peace of Mind PC support services, through the Great Frontier Donate, Frontier will contribute up to $85 to the customer’s local chapter of the Red Cross.

For more information on Frontier services, preparedness and to sign up for The Great Frontier Donate visit www.Frontier.com/RedCross or call 1.855.FTR.4ARC and mentioning code 20273.

Tips for Parents on How to Stay Cyber Safe

March 3, 2011 By in Cyber Safety Tags: , , Leave a comment

Computers are in nearly every home in America today. Students all over the world use computers on a daily basis at school. Although computers are a great resource to enhance education, social circles, and of course join in the latest craze of social media and social networking sites, there is potential for risks online lurking beyond the screen, which young adults and parents need to be aware of.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, “Online bullying, called cyberbullying, happens when teens use the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.” Unfortunately this is a very common issue that many young adults are exposed to on a daily basis.

Predators pretend that they are other people online to trick others, they spread lies and rumors about victims, trick people into revealing personal information, send or forward mean text messages, and post pictures of victims without their consent. It’s a very sad and harmful issue for young adults, which can and has lead to suicide of some victims.

What can parents do? Trust is key! The first and most important step to take is to establish an open dialogue. Talk with your children about potential online dangers like cyberbullies. Your children need to know what’s out there and tell you if they are exposed to any of it. If you establish an open dialogue, they will be more likely to come to you if they are experiencing a problem online. Talk with your children about what sites they like to visit, who they like to talk to, and let them know you will be happy to answer any questions they may have about the Internet.

Know the signs if your child is being cyberbullied. According to the cyberbulling research center, he/she may: “Unexpectedly stop using the computer, appear nervous or jumpy when an Instant Message, text message, or Email is delivered, appear to be uneasy about going to school or outside in general, appear to be angry, depressed, or frustrated, after using the computer,  avoids discussions about what he/she is doing on the computer, becomes abnormally withdrawn from usual, friends and family members.”

Become a member of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to learn more about how these sites work and how your kids are using them. Stay up to date on the latest Internet trends and technology.

Install parental control software on the computer and advise your children of your doing so. Confirm that you are tracking their use not because you do not trust them, but because you want to do everything you can to keep them safe. Parental controls will limit access to potentially harmful online content and provides parents with logs of their children’s online use. Software such as KidsWatch can provide you with real-time alerts and Instant Message monitoring, and record instant message conversations as well.

Don’t let your children give out personal information over the Internet. Tell your children that any personal information they give out over the Internet is easy to track and difficult to remove, and stress to them the importance of not giving out this type of information. Make sure the username and passwords they create are generic and don’t reveal anything about themselves. If they have an e-mail address, tell them not to give it out.

Take action and report any suspicious activity to Frontier or your Internet service provider and to local and federal authorities. You can also report suspicious or inappropriate behavior to the website manager as well. In today’s advanced technological age, kids are using the Internet earlier than they ever have before. The earlier you take steps to keep them safe, the better off your family will be. Open dialogue and a commitment to keep up these steps are the keys to cyber safety.

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