Hello friends and readers,
I want to get “off topic” for a couple days…since I cannot truly delve into what would be considered my “campaign” for awhile yet. A few reasons why I haven’t broached the main theme of what constitutes a campaign are, again, because I am currently still in the military and it’s fairly difficult to run a campaign ( especially one in 2016 ) from a deployed area. Another reason is because there are currently campaigns going on in the US for the 2012 election and, to be honest, I don’t want the current field of politicians using what would be my beliefs for their campaigns….they wouldn’t do that would they??? I’m taking no chances. Today’s post is related to scams, spams and some ways you can protect yourself.
Since the invent of the Internet Age, it has been easier than ever for dishonest people all over the world to access…well, just about anything and everything about YOU. Sites you visit, user ID’s, passwords and other more sensitive information. I am not going to get too involved in how they get the information, but having had my email account hacked before….I can offer tips to make it harder or near impossible for them to pull one over on you.
1. First and foremost: Any email that sounds too good to be true…HOAX Some examples may include, but not limited to…winning the lottery in a foreign country, any email asking for User ID or account information ( Banks, Yahoo, Google ) and any email saying that someone will pay money each time it is forwarded…HOAX
For all my readers in the US….the site listed above is one site that collects information about you and sells it to others. You will be amazed to see what information they have about you. I strongly recommend that you go to the site and type in your name. When you find yourself on there, scroll to the bottom, and click the "privacy" tab. From there follow the on screen instructions to have your information removed from this site.
The website listed above is the most comprehensive library of email and hacker scams that I have ever seen. You should check ahead of forwarding anything, and if you are on Face Book, add them as friends or subscribe to their posts. Very valid and helpful information.
Hoax-Slayer keeps you informed about the latest email hoaxes, true email forwards, current Internet scams and important spam and computer security issues. New information is first published as individual articles. New articles are added every week. These new articles are later collected and republished together in newsletter format. The Hoax-Slayer Newsletter is published once per month.
Additionally, you should have secure passwords. Make them long, using CAPS, &^$ ( symbols ), lowercase and Numbers 123. My passwords are up to 18 characters long, and in some cases....longer. I hope this post helps some of you , and helps to prevent the spread of scams and hoaxes.
Have a great day all!!
Trevor M Dodge
Not only does 'spokeo.com' compile your information from places such as Facebook, Myspace, Google+ and other public sites, it also uses ANY kind of reference to your name... newspaper articles, change of address forms, voter registration cards. There are probably 300-500 sites that compile this information and it is wise to google/bing your name to find out who has your information up for sale! YES FOR SALE... people can get your current and PAST addresses (this information is needed to verify you are who you are to credit card companies and the credit reporting agencies) email address, phone numbers, family history, place of birth and even your kids names from these sites. This information all helps people who want to steal your identities! CHILD ID THEFT is a HUGE problem! It ruins their credit rating before they're even in high school! What is, I believe to be, appalling is that this process of collecting information and selling it is completely legal! Every site has a place to ask to have your information removed or to 'opt out' but on most of the sites, it is hidden under different tabs and each uses their own technical language to locate where that 'opt out' option would be. DON"T GIVE UP! Check your name a couple times a month and if you have young ones, search their names too... You'd be amazed at what you will find out there that is for sale at the amazing price of 29.99$!
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