The benefits of being connected to the Internet are undeniable. Without question, this accessibility is one of the greatest innovations for the workforce, appraisers included, of all time. It places data at our fingertips in ways we never thought possible. However, there is a growing number of users who have learned that the Internet doesn’t only allow us to look OUT. It allows the whole world to look IN as well.
When email was first widely used, in the mid 1990’s, it became one of the most quickly adopted new technologies in history. It didn’t take long before unwanted advertising appeared in your Inbox. SPAM-that’s slang for junk email-now comprises 90% of all email received. That is the least of it. Viruses, adware, Trojan horses, strings, ants and any number of unwanted programs and monitoring devices are finding ways to enter your computer. It is a very serious problem. Legitimate users of email are turning away from the medium, frustrated by mailboxes filled with then, fifty, or a hundred unwanted messages every day.
How can you protect yourself? Here are a few simple steps:
INSTALL VIRUS PROTECTION &/OR MAKE SURE YOURS WORKS-Just because you have anti-virus protection does not mean it is working. Check and check often. The most common program is Norton Antivirus. However, in new computers, it generally comes with only a 30-day trial which requires registration to continue working. Did you let yours laps? The cost of no protection is a computer filled with viruses.
INSTALL A FIREWALL-Keeping the viruses from entering your computer is an even better first step. There are programs that automatically install themselves on your computer anytime you open a site. The click to open a site is also a "yes" to install the virus software; it may slip by your antivirus software undetected. However, with a firewall, the virus program is denied installation access. A firewall creates a secure area that stops snooping and unwanted access into your computer. If you have Windows XP there is a built-in firewall system that you simply turn on (for some reason it defaults to "off" during the installation process). Go to help and type: firewall. You will find step-by-step instructions for turning it on again.
SECURE YOUR BROWSER-The main source of unwanted email is actually residing in your Browser. It is called a cookie and it’s not the kind you eat! Every time you enter a site, something called a cookie can be sent to your computer. The cookie places a bit of information about who you are (at least that you went to this site) on your computer. SPAM uses this information to direct unwanted email to your computer. If you go to the Wells Fargo site, for example, you may have indicated to junk mailers where you bank. There software can follow your cookie crumbs. You can deactivate the cookies or be warned every time a program sets a cookie. Go to the Tools Tab and find the Cookies setting. If you trust the site and don’t mind a piece of information from them, let the cookie be set. Otherwise reject it. Also clear out your cookies at least once a week.
GET RID OF THE FREEBIES-Are you running a weather program on your screen? Like that nice screen saver program that changes your landscape? Did you know it’s likely monitoring your every keystroke and sending it to someone? Get rid of these programs. Sometimes a harmless little freebie can increase your junk email by 50%.
This is a good start. Next issue we will focus on what you can do within the email program itself. Good Luck!
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