Computers have simplified millions of people’s lives. With the advent of online technology we can be more productive in the office, organize household matters, and communicate with others around the globe. Do you ever think it’s all too good to be true? Well, you’d be smart to question the overall ease and efficiency of the web. The sad truth is, along with these perks there are a few major pitfalls. And if you aren’t aware of them now, you may be in for a rude awakening.

So many people get excited about the wide-reaching possibilities of an email system. Indeed, it is staggering to think about how you can connect with someone on the other side of the world with just a click of a button. Unfortunately, however, sometimes by clicking the mouse you are doing more than reaching out to a faraway friend. You may also be inviting email viruses and scams into your mailbox.

What is spam anyway?

Email spam is also called unsolicited bulk email - like junk mail in your computer system. In other words, it is email that you have not asked to receive. When we say “bulk email,” we are usually referring to one message that is sent to more than 200 email recipients at a time.

How is spam targeted?

Basically, if you participate in any newsgroups, forums, or post your email address on a personal or professional website, you can be targeted for spam. A spam mailing list will be created by combing electronic newsgroups and mailing lists, or by conducting a broad address search online via “spambots” that roam the net collecting email addresses.

What is phishing?

Phishing is a relatively new form of email scam and it’s a serious one. What it refers to is an email that claims to be from a legit corporation (like Citibank, PayPal, eBay etc.), but it is really a spoof. Phishing can be tough to spot because it can look pretty slick. The email will come with a return address, a logo or a brand that seems on the up-and-up, links to other sites etc. But whoever is behind the scam is trying to get your financial info and rip off your identity. Studies show that 5% of the people who receive these fake emails respond to the “phisher.”

Now that you know what these terms mean, how can you avoid dealing with them?

Clearly, the answer is with an expert email security system. No doubt, new scams will be popping up before you know it. We haven’t even discussed the horrors of email “worms” and “viruses.”

What can be done?

• Use a web host with a secure email system that will control spam, maintain your privacy, and protect you from email viruses. A good web host believes that all individuals have the right to send and receive secure emails around the clock.
• The first step is to monitor the spam that comes into your email mailbox and then report any scams to the Anti-Spam League or the Anti-Phishing Working Group.
• Be wary of any emails that ask you for your personal information, especially financial details. Do not give out your credit card or bank account info unless you are on a secure server.
• Be wary of email attachments. When in doubt, don’t open them!
• Make a point of checking your account balances online to see if there are any sudden withdrawals that you did not authorize.
• Use anti-virus software and be sure to update it regularly (such as Microsoft patches).
• Think about installing a web browser tool bar that will alert you if a known spammer or phisher is trying to reach you (such as Earthlink ScamBlocker or eBay’s tool bar).

Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate for ApolloHosting.com. She brings years of experience as a small business consultant to helping prospective clients understand the ways in which a website may benefit them both personally and professionally. Apollo Hosting provides website hosting, ecommerce hosting, vps hosting, and web design services to a wide range of customers. Established in 1999, Apollo prides itself on the highest levels of customer support.

After a crime has been committed, many people wish that they had taken better steps to protect themselves and their belongings. But the best time to think about home security is before the crime happens, not afterward. By planning ahead you can take steps that reduce your chances of being a victin of crime in the first place. Here are 5 steps that you may wish to consider to improve your home security and personal safety:

1. Many accidents occur at home and lives are often lost due to fire, gas leaks, and carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s amazing how many people have been victims of these kind of dangers, and yet much can be done to protect yourself in advance. Most fire and smoke detectors are very inexpensive but effective ways to help warn of dangers before they get out of control, or at least so that the homeowner can get out quickly and save their life. The same can be said of natural gas and carbon monoxide detectors too. A few of these placed throughout the home will keep silent guard for you and help increase your personal safety from these dangers. Just remember that the best detectors cannot be effective if you don’t keep the batteries for each unit fresh so that it stays in good working order.

2. Install a home security system that will monitor all the doors and windows in your home and sound a loud alarm when someone is breaking in. You may even want to subscribe to an outside monitoring service that will call local law enforcement after making sure that any alarm that is triggered is not a false alarm. There are several quality wireless home security systems available that you can even install yourself quickly and easily.

3. Consider using wireless security cameras to help keep a watch on the goings outside your home at all times. For instance, you could install one above your door that lets you clearly identify the person who rings your doorbell, or knocks on your door. You could also install infrared cameras at strategic locations around the home that allows you to keep a watch on your home’s perimiter at night. The more information you have about what is happening around your home, the more prepared you can be to defend yourself.

4. Joining a neighborhood watch group can help increase your personal and home security considerably. If your neighborhood does not have such a program, why not visit a few neighbors and see if they would be interested in starting one? If crimes have been committed in the area recently, you often will not have much difficulty getting everyone to cooperate and set up a neighborhood watch program right away.

5. Keeping doors and windows closed and locked at all times is another step to take to make home intrusion more difficult. If you must open the windows for any reason, it is wise to have locks installed that do not allow the window to be opened far enough for someone to be able to climb through and get inside the home. These are the most vulnerable places in your home to burglarization, so guard them well.

There are other steps you can take to increase personal safety and home security, but if you employ the suggestions mentioned above they can a great start, and can help increase your preparedness and peace of mind.

Jim Johnson is a successful author and publisher on consumer related matters. You can find out more about wireless home security and wireless home security systems by visiting our Home Security website.