Your Daily Computer Security Tips

You have heard me talk for years about how to avoid phishing scams.  It is a big problem, because technology cannot protect you much.  It is up to you not to open that spam email, and not to click on that link that looks like it is from your bank but is really from a hacker. 

Now, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created an online game called Anti-Phishing Phil, to help you recognize fraudulent sites and links.  The game is still under development, but is now open to the public for additional testing.  

Go here and play the game.  Take the quizzes.  Follow instructions and you could be entered in a contest to win a $100 Amazon.com gift card.   

I played the game and scored not too badly, but there is always room for improvement.  Try it yourself;  it takes about 15 minutes.  It is suitable for children aged about 10 and up, and even big kids (like me) enjoyed it. 

The game is fun, but remember, this is serious business.  Very large amounts of cash are lost to spammers every year.  The money and identity you save could be your own.

Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer Online.  He has been keeping Internet surfers safe and secure since the last century.  Find out how he does it; protect your own computer with five layers of protection right here:    => http://MyPCSecuritySite.com

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