{"id":26141,"date":"2012-12-05T17:37:22","date_gmt":"2012-12-05T07:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/power-up.space\/?p=26141"},"modified":"2012-12-05T17:37:22","modified_gmt":"2012-12-05T07:37:22","slug":"how-to-have-a-relaxed-christmas-protected-from-scammers-spammers-and-hackers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.impulsegamer.com\/wordpress\/?p=26141","title":{"rendered":"How to Have a Relaxed Christmas, Protected from Scammers, Spammers and Hackers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melbourne, 5 December 2012.<\/strong>\u00a0 At this time of year everyone is looking forward to being able to get through Christmas and put their feet up. But before you flick the lever on the recliner or jump in the packed car for the holiday house, AVG Technologies AU provides your wish list of online protection measures to bring you peace of mind.<\/p>\n

Michael McKinnon, Security Advisor at AVG, said: \u201cEvery Internet-connected mobile device holds valuable and private information and should be consciously treated as the powerful computers they are. They need to be secured as you would your desktop.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 8 best ways to protect your online activities these holidays are:<\/p>\n

1<\/strong>. Inside the wrapping paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

As soon as the wrapping paper comes off your new smartphone, tablet or gaming console, change every default setting to a strong individual password, review all privacy settings, and switch on every security option available on the device.<\/p>\n

2. Keep your new toy safe<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before you leave the house for the first time with your new smartphone or tablet, make sure you\u2019ve installed and activated options for Remote Tracking and Remote Wiping. The risk of physical loss or theft of shiny new and coveted gadgets is very high. We all know how easy it is to leave items in a taxi, on a plane or in a cafe \u2013 particularly those that our brains have not yet added to the list of things to pick up. Specifically designed security software for smartphones, laptops and tablets such as\u00a0AVG AntiVirus for Android<\/a> and its built-in phone locator, phone locker and remote wipe facility can save you considerable time and effort in the recovery of your phone and most importantly, protection from third party use of your data.<\/p>\n

3. Don\u2019t get more than you bargained for<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you buy a new mobile device this Christmas, be sure to disable In-App purchases, particularly for devices used by children, so you can\u2019t be automatically charged to your credit card.<\/p>\n

While many Apps are initially free, they often want you to buy extra functionality or in-game currency like \u201cGems\u201d and \u201cBerries\u201d to enjoy them fully. \u00a0And at regular intervals during the year, there can be fees for In-App upgrades, such as Christmas editions of popular games.<\/p>\n

4. Beware of being too friendly<\/strong><\/p>\n

Switch off geo tagging.\u00a0 The precise time, date and location metadata now being automatically captured when you take photos using your smartphone can be easily lifted from Facebook and other social networking pages. At best you\u2019ll only reveal your secret fishing spot, at worst you may be telling the world you’re not home or inadvertently reveal you were somewhere you shouldn\u2019t have been.<\/p>\n

5. Prepare for unexpected guests<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are also risks to your home systems with the arrival of friends and family over the holidays. If you leave yourself logged in and your desktop open, their \u201cCould I just use your computer to \u2026\u201d or \u201cDo you mind if the kids use your computer to\u2026\u201d could result in the inadvertent downloading of malware. Protect your devices and information by running the latest applications and operating systems; plus always on, automatically updated security software on every networked device; and set up a \u2018guest\u2019 login for your home WiFi.<\/p>\n

6. Should your \u2018friends\u2019 be on your Christmas card list?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we would once have filtered our address book each year to decide who was still a friend and who should be sent a Christmas card, we should also review our social networking friends list. If you\u2019ve drifted away from someone then \u2018unfriend\u2019 them; it\u2019s a silent operation and they aren\u2019t notified, so don\u2019t feel obligated to keep divulging personal information to these people.<\/p>\n

7. New Year resolution to be a good digital citizen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cybercrime affects us all and is so insidious because it doesn\u2019t have witnesses, it only has victims. People can feel isolated as they\u2019re attacked via their devices in the privacy of their own homes.<\/p>\n

By immediately reporting any instance of suspicious online activity or a direct scam to the organisation being used as a cover \u2013 be it a bank, retailer or government agency \u2013 the faster these disruptive, costly criminal pursuits can be shut down. All the major companies have dedicated security teams to take action often with direct access to Google, Firefox and so on.<\/p>\n

The Government\u2019s SCAMWatch<\/a> and Stay Smart Online<\/a> sites are also excellent resources for checking the current status of emerging scams and improving your own awareness of issues.<\/p>\n

8. Scammers\u2019 Little Helpers will find you<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just because you\u2019ve joined the Do Not Call Register<\/a>, don\u2019t lower your guard.\u00a0 You\u2019re not protected from scammers just by signing up as it\u2019s only adhered to by legitimate organisations. People are continuing to fall for the \u201cMicrosoft\u201d Technical Support (MTS) scam, often because they believe the Do Not Call Register affords them a measure of safety; all unsolicited calls should be viewed with caution.<\/p>\n

There are even reports of people who\u2019ve fallen for the MTS scam now being contacted by criminals purporting to be from an Indian Government Department, claiming they\u2019ve arrested and jailed the original scammers and offering \u201ccompensation\u201d to those who provide their credit card details!<\/p>\n

Have a merry and safe Christmas.<\/p>\n

Keep in touch with AVG Technologies AU<\/strong><\/p>\n