Security on the Internet
Part 2

Scam e-mails may use the names of real people, or legitimate-looking addresses, authentic-looking logos or graphics, links to pages of a bona fide Web site and official-looking fine print or references to laws.

This seeming authenticity lures the investor into providing sensitive information, usually by requesting that he or she send a reply e-mail or click on a link to a Web site that mimics a legitimate site.

To lower an investor's guard, he or she may be told that: an account will be closed unless information is updated; the investor's identity must be verified because the account is being used by a third party in violation of the law; because of a technical update, the account must be reactivated; or recent law changes require users to identify themselves.

How to protect yourself:

If you receive an e-mail that warns you, with little or no notice, that an account of yours will be shut down unless you reconfirm your billing information, do not reply or click on the link in the e-mail. Instead, contact the company cited in the e-mail using a telephone number or Web site address that you know to be genuine.

Avoid e-mailing personal and financial information. Before submitting financial information through a Web site, look for the "lock" icon on the browser's status bar. It signals that your information is secure during transmission.

Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them in order to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a few days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances.

Keep your personal and financial information secure online. Make certain that your computer system is up to date with the latest security patches and use antivirus and spyware detection software.

Firewall software should thwart intruders from getting access to your PC over a network. Never download software or files from an unknown source.

For additional information or in an emergency do not hesitate to get in touch with us!

We appreciate your attention!

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