Gmail users take note - After the recent Gmail account compromise, it's highly recommended that Gmail users change their passwords.  This is yet another reason to keep Microsoft Windows up to date.  Scroll down to see tips on how to update your Windows System.

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UPS/FedEx/DHL Scam - This is a tempting email to open because it takes advantage of our curiosity.  Who wouldn't want to check on the status of an unexpected delivery?  If you receive a failed delivery notice claiming to be from UPS/FedEx/DHL, DO NOT open the attachment - it's a trojan.  If needed, you can check the shipping status of packages from major carriers here:

UPS - http://www.ups.com/tracking/tracking.html

FedEx - http://fedex.com/Tracking?cntry_code=us

DHL - http://track.dhl-usa.com/TrackByNbr.asp

US Postal Service - http://www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm

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Verizon users, be careful. A scam email is asking Verizon users to run a "balance checker tool" that is actually a trojan. 

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Facebook is being targeted again. Facebook is not making mass password changes. If in doubt, surf to http://www.facebook.com and log in using your existing password.

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Yet another phishing scam; this one appears to come from the FDIC. This is social engineering at its best! The scammers know bank failures are a hot topic and they use this to hook unsuspecting users with the clever wording in this latest email scam.

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Be careful when opening .zip attachments from untrusted senders. If in doubt, delete the entire mail without attempting to open any attachments. A trojan is making the rounds by email that appears to be a notice to reconfigure Outlook. Opening the attachment results in malware being installed on your PC.

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Thousands of Windows Live passwords were compromised and leaked. To be safe, change your password if you use Hotmail, MSN, or any other Windows Live based service. Try to make a habit of changing passwords every 60 days or so to keep your accounts safe.

Keep your PC secure by performing a few simple steps every couple of weeks.  Visit the links below to ensure your programs and Operating System are current.

• Keep your operating system and programs up to date:

Update Microsoft Windows: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

(The above link must be opened in Internet Explorer)

Update Microsoft Office: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/default.aspx

Update Mac OS X: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338

Update Java: http://www.java.com/en/

Update Adobe Reader (Windows): http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3970

 

If Automatic Updating is enabled, Microsoft Windows will alert you with the following icons in the system tray:

Windows Vista

 

Windows XP

 

• Keep your antivirus / antimalware software up to date by using the updates feature that is built in.  The procedure varies based on manufacturer, but most can be updated by right-clicking the logo in the system tray and choosing "update."  Don't have antivirus?  Check our downloads page for the free programs we recommend.

• Don't "click through" on any emails you receive, especially those that appear to be from financial institutions or the IRS.  (The IRS does not conduct business by email.)  If you think the sender is legitimate, type the site address in your browser, then log in with your credentials once the site is loaded.

• Don't reply to spam with "unsubscribe" or click on an "unsubscribe" link in a spam email.  This tells the spammer your address is valid.  Simply delete any spam emails you receive.