Spam Emails and Viruses That Could Hurt Both You And Your Business
Think twice before opening e-mails from unknown senders, especially if you’re using a computer from the office where all your important files are instored. Millions of computer users and restaruant owners are getting infected, spoofed, and tricked by spam e-mails every year, forcing them to pay huge fees to clean and restore their computer POS systems back to working order.
Below are the 3 dangers that any PC user must be aware of:
1. Hijacking and spoofed e-mails. Spammers have acquired a new technology that easily allows them to fool you by making it appear as though their spam e-mails are coming from YOUR own computer. This could result in having your Internet connection cut or put on hold by your ISP – without you even knowing it. That is why good spam blocking software will not only block inbound spam e-mails from your inbox, but also the outbound spam e-mails from your server.
2. Virus infected spam e-mails. Accidentally opening a spam e-mail with nasty viruses attached to it can cause your computer a lot of problems. You can end up with a crashed system, identity theft problem, lost data and much more. You think that your computer has just slow down, but it could also mean that your personal data is being uploaded without your knowledge and sent to a third party, either to sell, trade or use it to comit crime.
3. Phishing spam. Also called phishing scam. The attempt to collect sensitive information of an individual either to steal money from their bacnk accounts or use the money to go online shopping without the owners knowledge. A phishing spam e-mail sends some kind of fraudulent notification or warning to an individual asking for his or her online bank account, social security numbers, passwords, and credit card information. To be able to make someone believe that their spam e-mail is from a trusted website, phishing sites copies the exact same look of the authentic website..
Here’s what you can do to pervent this:
First and foremost, it’s absolutely vital that you get a quality spam blocking software installed as a first line of defense.
Many retail business owner over look into this, so their restaruant POS system suffers from it.
Next, you better make sure you don’t get on a spammers list in the first place. Once you’re on a spammer’s list, it’s impossible to get off; and changing your e-mail address can be a major inconvenience especially if you rely on it to stay in touch with important business and personal contacts.
Here’s a couple of ways you can do to reduce the chances of your e-mail address getting on a spammer’s list:
1. Use a disposable e-mail address.
Using a free e-mail address like with Yahoo or Gmail can reduce your chance on getting listed on a spammer’s list. Use this when subscribing or shopping online to avoid your main e-mail address from ending up on their broadcast list.
2. Pay attention to check boxes that automatically opt you in.
Make sure you don’t check the box that says “Yes! I want to receive offers from third party companies.” when you shop online. Chances are, your e-mail address can (and will) be sold to every online advertiser.
3. Don’t post your main e-mail address in public places like your website or blog.
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 home page, use “info@” and have all replies forwarded to a folder in your in-box that won’t interfere with your main address.
4. Don’t open, reply to or try to opt-out of obvious spam e-mails.
Opening, replying to, or even clicking a bogus opt-out link in an obvious spam e-mail signals that your e-mail address is active, and more spam will follow.
The only time it is safe to click on the opt-out link or reply to the e-mail is when the message was sent from 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.
