Protect yourself while online with a Personal Firewall. A Personal Firewall secures your PCs connection to the Internet by letting you control the communications into and out of your PC, ensuring that your online experience is as safe as it is enjoyable. Windows XP includes Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) software you can use to restrict what information is communicated between the Internet.

 

Do not send confidential information via email

Do not send any confidential information through email. This includes your credit card number, social security number, passwords, and any other private information. Email is very easily intercepted by hackers.

If you receive SPAM or any other unsolicited email from someone, just delete the message. Do not reply to the person asking them to remove you from their list or you will just receive much more SPAM in the future. You may also be able to setup filters in your email client to block email. Check the on-line help in your mail reader for more information on filtering email.

Creating SPAM filters in Eudora
Creating SPAM filters in Communications Express (web mail)

There are many email hoaxes going around the Internet at any given time. Some of these hoaxes will ask for personal information such as your name, telephone number, credit card information or even social security number. Others seem harmless, but in actuality are harmful. Examples of what these emails may proclaim: new virus discovered, download this patch for your operating system, etc. You should assume any information that you receive via unsolicited email is false.