Friday 30 July 2010

Keep your wits about you

It's easy to be wise after the event.

Someone who seems genuine calls you to say that they're following up a report that your machine may be infected with a virus, or some newly released software needs to be adjusted, or they're from your bank and they want you to confirm some details about account irregularities.

What do you do - they sound plausible don't they? But remember that you're probably the 100th person they've called today and if they call enough people then just by chance their story will sound convincing to someone.

Whatever you do don't fall into their trap, don't let them remotely logon to your machine, don't part with any information that they may use to steal your identity. Just put the phone down and if they persist call Trading Standards or the Police.

Stay safe online by installing and keeping Internet Security software up to date, but also don't let fraudsters in by following links to their websites or by replying to their email.