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Protect Yourself — Protecting Yourself Online

Use the Internet at home and you have a 1-in-3 chance of suffering computer damage, financial loss, or both because of a computer virus or spyware that sneaks onto your computer, according to the 2005 Consumer Reports State of the Net survey of online consumers. The Internet is no longer the sophisticated information motorway it was five years ago. Consumers now face assaults through e-mail, Web sites, messaging services and downloads.

At Community Bank, we feel it is important to share with you helpful hints you can use to enhance security when you use the Internet.

Viruses and Worms
These are the most destructive online hazards, and they’ve plagued Internet users for nearly two decades. Typically, they infiltrate a computer via e-mail attachments or files downloaded from Web sites. Once they seize control of your computer, they can destroy critical files or disable your system. Some enable hackers to use your computer to send large volumes of spam or to attack specific Web sites.
Use virus protection software to reduce the risk of your computer becoming infected. We recommend that you purchase a program that automatically upgrades your virus protection on a recurring basis.
Follow these guidelines for additional virus protection:

1. Act with caution when downloading programs, which can compromise your computer’s security safeguards.
2. Do not open file attachments received by e-mail unless the source of the attachment is known and trusted.

Spyware
This is a fast-growing and complex threat. As the Federal Trade Commission defines it, spyware gathers data from your computer and may transmit that information or assert control over your computer without your knowledge or consent. It may be used to send you pop-up ads, redirect your computer to unwanted Web sites, monitor your Internet surfing or record your keystrokes, which, in turn, could lead to identity theft.

To lower your risk of spyware infections:

1. Update your operating system and Web browser software, and set your browser security high enough to detect unauthorized downloads.
2. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly.
3. Download free software only from site you know and trust.
4. Don’t click on links inside pop-up windows.
5. Don’t click on links in spam that claim to offer anti-spyware software; you may unintentionally be installing spyware.

Clues that spyware is on a computer:

1. Barrage of pop-up ads.
2. Hijacked browser – that is, a browser that takes you to sites other than those you type into the address box.
3. A sudden or repeated change in your computer’s Internet home page.
4. New and unexpected icons on the system tray at the bottom of your computer screen.
5. Keys that don’t work. For example, the “Tab” key might not work when you try to move to the next field.
6. Random error messages.
7. Sluggish performance when opening programs or saving files.