Cyber Monday 2009 deals - avoiding the Internet Grinch this holiday season

November 28, 12:52 PMYoung Adult Pop Culture ExaminerConnie Ann Kirk

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Cyber Monday 2009 deals -  avoiding the Internet Grinch this holiday season
(AP Photo/Russel A. Daniels)

Cyber Monday 2009 deals - avoiding the Internet Grinch this holiday season -  Cyber Monday is to the Internet what Black Friday is to retail stores, the busiest shopping day of the holiday season.  In shoppers' zeal to acquire the best deals on Cyber Monday, however, they may be vulnerable to Internet scams and other computer and identity safety issues. The tips below have been provided to the Young Adult Pop Culture Examiner by Check Point Software Technologies in the interest of consumer safety. 

Even though many young adults are pretty savvy when it comes to the Internet, it's never a bad idea to review safety tips such as these, and you never know, you might just pick up a new one here or there:

• Be cautious of any email claiming to be from a legitimate company. A Phishing scam is usually sent by email or instant message. Do not click the link provided in the email because the scammer can change the direction of the link's destination even if the link appears to be correct.
• Always access the legitimate company's website by typing in the company's information yourself in a new web browser.
• Do not enter your personal information on a popup screen as this is a way for thieves to steal your personal information.
• Shop only using websites that are SSL secured. Websites with SSL certificates will have a padlock icon. The website URL will also start with https://. Websites that are SSL secured which will encrypt sensitive information such as credit card numbers during the transaction. You can also click on the padlock icon to verify the identity of the certificate owner.
  
• Beware of Spyware. An example of Spyware is a Keylogger that logs and transmits keystrokes to a fraudulent source. To protect yourself against spyware, download ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, which has keystroke encryption to safeguard everything you type.
• Be sure to keep all installed programs and your operating system up to date with the latest security patches.
• Beware of Scareware. Never respond to an unexpected offer for security software, via a pop-up or bubble, telling you that you are at risk.
• Keep a secured password for accounts that you use for online shopping. Here are some tips to create a secure password:  Make your password complex by adding uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters such as %#$^@\.  Make your password longer than 8 characters.  Consider a passphrase, such as “8 hens ride 6 buses!” to make your password harder to guess.  Consider customizing a single password for each different Web site by using a memorable website characteristic. For example, if your website is Amazon.com, and your password is “8 hens ride 6 buses!” try “8 hens ride 6 AMA buses.” For Citibank, it would be “8 hens ride 6 CIT buses.”
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• Use credit cards instead of debit cards. If a thief steals your debit card and withdraws money from your account, the money is gone. The bank will investigate and repay you, but this will take time and there could be a delay in receiving your money. A credit card is safer because the consumer is borrowing from the bank, and if the credit card is stolen the consumer is not required to pay any charges on their account due to the spending spree of a criminal.
  
• If you encounter fraud contact the Federal Trade Commission's complaint form at http://www.ftc.gov.
  
   

Thank you to Mirka Janus of Check Point Technologies for the tips!

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Cyber Monday deals 2009 - info and link lists

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Connie Ann Kirk is the author of 10 books and has a Ph.D. in English.  She is currently at work on a novel and a screenplay.  Contact Connie at: ConnieAnnKirkOnExaminer@gmail.com.  Check out Connie's Examiner pages at: National Books on Film Examiner; National Literature Examiner ; and  National Young Adult Pop Cullture Examiner. Please feel free to visit Connie's website any time.