FBI and DHS have released best practices for recovery files that have been erased due to viruses.

Tips on how to avoid fraudulent charitable contribution schemes

As we all know, Spam is a dreaded beast.It devours bandwidth and clogs our email in-boxes with badly written sales pitches for stuff we don’t want or need.We do everything in our power to stop spam; Use email filters Use disposable email addressees Not opening email with attachments from people we don’t know Not emailing personal or financial information Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software Forward phishing spam to spam@uce.gov There’s more, but isn’t that enough? Apparently not.

In recent history, tragic incidents such as 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the Virginia Tech shootings have all prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit for contributions for a charitable organization and/or a good cause…. To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to recognized organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

Test Knowledge of Online ScamsAPNew YorkCan you recognize online scams?

* To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to recognized organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf…. * Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and open you to identity theft.To obtain more information on charitable contribution schemes and other types of online schemes, visit www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com.

According to the latest reports, 90 Billion spam emails are sent every day. Luckily, they’re not all ending up in your email box.

A good article from HillsboroughCounty.org listing common email scams along with detailed descriptions about “The Bait” spamers use to lure you into their scam, “The Catch” (there’s always a catch), and “Your Safety Net” — what you can do to avoid and/or not get taken by the email con artists.Ten Email Scams Covered Include; The “Nigerian” E-mail Scam Phishing Work-at-Home Scams Weight Loss Claims Foreign Lotteries Cure-All Products Check Overpayment Scams Pay-in-Advance Credit Offers Debt Relief Investment Schemes As always, don’t take the bait.

FTC staff found that more often than not, bulk email offers appeared to be fraudulent, and if pursued, could have ripped-off unsuspecting consumers to the tune of billions of dollars.The FTC identified the 12 scams that are most likely to arrive in consumers’ email boxes…. Scheduling the vacation at the time you want it also may require an additional fee.You can file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the Consumer Response Center by phone: toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 202-326-2502; by mail: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or through the Internet, using the online complaint form.

If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization’s website, look for indicators that

Aside from being perhaps the longest blog post headline ever written, there’s a great article regarding ten tips to help stop spam—at least Don’t post your email address anywhere on your website.