Spyware: Spyware is a general term that encompasses the majority of malware like Trojans, adware, pop-ups, altered cookies, key-loggers and so on. Spyware is typically designed to spy on your Internet activity, seeking to find any weak points in your security. Hacking experts have come up with advanced weapons like key-loggers able to recall each keystroke, allowing them to reveal your password, banking info, and email.

Stop Spyware in its Tracks: Seek out spyware-fighting software that is well-known, like Norton or McAffee; or that comes with an endorsement from a reputable source like CNet or PC World magazine.

Identity Theft: It is possible for computer hackers to rob your confidential information with an array of means. After these details are acquired, they are exploited to buy products on the Internet with your credit card information, as well as to steal paychecks or produce fraudulent records. Ordinarily, most leading online security software includes a type of safeguard to protect you from this issue.

Stop Identity Theft: Be aware of who you are conducting purchase transactions with. Make certain that a legitimate SSL certificate is located on any page where you will enter information without the presence of error or warning icons appearing in your browser. Safe pages start with ‘https:’ instead of ‘http:’.

Spam: Spam email (email you did not sign up for) can contain malicious links that can do all sorts of things, including infecting your computer with a virus, introducing spyware, as well as attracting additional spam. Having an effective online spam filter is generally a wise choice. Utilizing Internet security software as well as a certain amount of common sense will help you avoid having your inbox swamped with spam.

Avoid Spam: Don’t ever ‘unsubscribe’ any email messages you did not solicit or subscribe to. This notifies the spammer that you are an actual person and your spam potentially could double or triple very quickly.

Phishing: Phishing is associated with identity theft as described above, and presents a real threat to online security. This operates by delivering an email message posing as a reliable site like PayPal or even your own bank. The links take you to a fraudulent website that poses as the legitimate site. Once you enter your personal details, a hacker exploits this to purchase things online using your identity or your cash.

Do Not Allow Phishing: Never enter a link that appears “phishy”. Find out exactly what the “.com” is linked to. The URL ought to conclude with the expected name, instead of starting with the expected name. If you go to the Bank of America site, the URL should look like this: http://somesubdomain.bankofamerica.com. But if you are at a phishing site, the URL may look like this: http://bankofamerica.myphishingdomain.com. And immediately exit if the website directs you to an IP address (an IP address looks like: 111.22.333.456) You can be more confident (but it is not 100% effective) if you are using Internet Explorer, as it has a phishing filter that can alert you to suspected phishing sites.

Along with spam advertisements hawking prescription medicines, ‘cheap’ mortgage rates and online gambling sites, there are a number of common scams whose sole goal is to separate you from your money.

One well-known example, circulating for years now, is the Nigerian bank scam. The sender, allegedly the wife or relative of a former dictator or government official (usually in Nigeria, hence the name) tells the sad story of how millions were deposited in a bank account which is no longer accessible. In exchange for your help, they’re willing to share this wealth – for a few mere thousands from your bank account for ‘expenses’. As ludicrous as it seems, people fall for this every year. In one well-publicized case an elderly Czech man who had lost his life savings to this scam shot the Nigerian consul in Prague.

Another fairly common scam is investments with extraordinary returns. They’ll claim to be risk-free but this is obviously not the case. Once you send them your initial investment, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever hear from them again, unless it’s to ask for more money.

These fake offers are particularly bad for legitimate businesses who use email for doing business. Because so much email is spam, the internet service providers and email hosting companies work hard to filter it out. But these filters can sometimes stop legitimate email from businesses you want to hear from.

How To Avoid Getting Stung

Never reply to spam. Doing so simply indicates to the spammer that your e-mail address is valid, and you’ll receive more spam than before. Some spam contains a message offering to remove your e-mail address from their mailing list. Don’t use even this service – it’s nothing but another method for verifying e-mail addresses.

Never send any private information like credit card numbers or username & passwords by email. Legitimate companies like Paypal or your bank will never ask for these things directly through email.

Spam isn’t an easy things to stop, but if you don’t recognize the person sending you the message, and it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Besides, how many dead Nigerian dictators with huge bank accounts can there really be?