What Spammers Don’t Want You To Know About The Spam Emails They Send You
Spam e-mails are not just annoying, they are also time consuming, but they’re also becoming more dangerous to you and the security of your computer.Think twice when you’re about to open e-mails from unknown senders, especially if you’re using a computer from the office where all your important documents are kept. Thousands of computer users and restaurant owners are getting spoofed by spam e-mails every year, forcing them to pay huge fees to clean and restore their computer POS systems back to working order.
Here are the 3 computer dangers you must be aware of:
1. An increase in hijacked and spoofed e-mail addresses. Spammers have found new ways to make it appear as though their spam e-mail is coming from YOUR computer. This can cause your connection to the internet be be temporarily terminated or put on hold by your service provider - without you even knowing it. That is why a good spam blocking software must be used not only to block inbound spam, but also unauthorized outbound spam from your serves.
2. Spam e-mails with viruses attached to them. Accidentally open a virus-infected spam e-mail and you can end up with big problems ranging from the slowing of your system to more serious threats such as system crashes, data loss, identity theft, endless popping of unapproved sites, and more.
3. Phishing spam. A phishing e-mail may appear to be a legitimate e-mail from websites you know, trust and use their service - commonly from banks. The purpose of this is to trick you into giving confidential information such as bank accounts, social security numbers, passwords, and credit card information. You’ve probably already received a PayPal or bank spam e-mail that said your account was going to be closed unless [you verified your information|e-mails from banks you don't use, or even from Paypal, that notifies you to verify your account in order to continue using their service|e-mails from banks you don't use, or even from Paypal, that notifies you to verify your account or else they will close it]. It will then direct you to a very convincing web site where you input certain information the spammer is trying to glean. In reality, this is a malicious third party that is going to use your information to open credit card accounts, access your account, steal money, and cause you other major identity and financial problems.
What to do to prevent this?
Above all, install a sam blocking software as this will serve as your first line of defense, and make sure it’s a good one.
Many retail business owner over look into this, so their restaruant POS system pays the price.
Next, you want to make sure you don’t get included on a spammers list in the first place. The moment your e-mail gets listed on a spammer’s list, it will stay there forever and possibly get sent to more spammers; and changing your e-mail address is a big hassle especially if you’re using it to stay in touch with important business and personal contacts.
The following are some advices that can help you protect your e-mail from getting listed on a spammer’s list:
1. Using a disposable e-mail address.
Using a free e-mail address like with Yahoo or Gmail can reduce the chance of ending up on a spammer’s list. If you want to avoid ending up on a spammer’s broadcast list, always use free e-mail accounts whether it’s Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail it’s never a waste of time registering for them.
2. Never forget to double-check those tick boxes that automatically opt you in.
Better make sure you don’t check the box that says “Yes! I would like other companies to send me their offers.” when you go shopping online. Chances are, your e-mail address will not only be sent to other online advertisers but to spammers as well.
3. Don’t post your primary e-mail address on your web site, web forums, or newsgroups.
Spammers uses a special program that can collect e-mail addresses from web sites without your permission. If you want to post an e-mail address on your web site or business blog, then you better use “info@” and have all replies will be forwarder to a folder in your in-box that won’t interfere with your main address.
4. Refrain yourself from replying on obvious spam e-mails.
Doing so, signals the spammer that your e-mail address is active, and they’ll send you more spam e-mails.
The only time it is safe to click on the opt-out link or reply to the e-mail is when it is sent by a company you know or do business with (for example, a company that you purchase from or a newsletter you subscribed to).
For more information or to have a local POS professional serving the restaurant industry and your location see more information at POS-For-Restaurants.com.
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