What are the recommended practices for safe computing and email usage?

Practicing safe computing is all about thinking ahead and taking precautions. Some of the more common safe computing and email practices include:

Practice Safe Computing

DO’s:

• DO sign out (log off) after your online banking session and close out of your browser.
• DO avoid using public computers when conducting any online banking transactions.
• DO consider using a dedicated computer for daily online banking activity.
• DO disable file sharing software to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your computer.
• DO be cautious about accessing sites if you are online through an unsecured or unprotected network.
• DO make sure a banking and shopping site is security enabled when you use it: look for the web addresses with “https:// or shttp://”, which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information: “http://” is not secure.
• DO clear the browser cache and history before and after you make online banking transactions.
• DO avoid having multiple browsers open while banking online.

DON’T’s:

• DON’T ever leave your online banking account open while your computer is unattended.
• DON’T share any of your banking information to any other party or website.

Adopt Safe Email Practices

DO’s:

• DO open a new browser window and enter the URL of the trusted site to secure your transactions.
• DO delete emails with account-sensitive information, even if they contain only partial account identification information.
• DO be aware of questionable emails: What looks suspiciously like legitimate bank/credit union emails with legitimate logos and structured to look like the communications you typically receive from First Entertainment, can be fake emails that direct you to questionable Internet addresses. Read carefully, and watch for incorrect spellings and poor grammar; and NEVER enter your password or personal information.
• DO save your attachments in the portable document format (.pdf) to be read by nearly anyone, and to safeguard your documents.
• DO reduce your chances of picking up a computer virus by reducing the amount of SPAM:
• Cut your vulnerability to SPAM by being cautious about where you post your email address; avoid posting them on every web site or organization that asks for it.
• Never forward chain messages revealing coworkers’ or colleagues’ email addresses.
• Avoid opening unsolicited email.
• DO protect your coworkers’ and family’s email addresses by using the BCC feature; and delete their addresses before you forward an email.
• DO reduce the chance for virus outbreaks by managing your attachments:
• Don’t attach large files to emails.
• Limit the number of file attachments to five or less
• Save attachments to your hard drive and then delete the email message containing the attachment.
• Don’t open unexpected attachments or those sent by unknown parties.
• Always scan files with an anti-virus program before opening an attachment.

DON’T’s:

• DON’T follow a link to a site through an email and then proceed to enter personal information, such as account numbers or passwords.
• DON’T open links or attachments contained in emails from unfamiliar sources.