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Today is our last post from our Password series!  It’s always important to treat all your passwords with care.  It’s essential that you do so because you never know who may want get hold of your password or pass phrase until it’s too late!

• Reveal – Make sure you keep your passwords away from everyone (even family), especially children.  You never know who they may accidently tell.  You never know who may pass on your password without thinking.  The only exception to this is a joint account created with a spouse.
• Protect Recordings – Make sure you store any passwords you’ve written down in a careful place!  Never put it in the bin with out shredding and ripping the paper up profusely.  If you save them on your computer make sure the file is well hidden and not easily accessible.
• Email – Never give your password out via email.  If you’re emailed asking you to go to a website to verify your password it is more than likely to be a phishing scam.  Click here to find out more about phishing!
• Regular changes – It is a great idea to regularly change your password, depending on its length. If your password is around 8 characters long then we recommend you change it every couple of weeks.  If it is strong and 15 letters long we think it should last for years!
• Control of Computer – We suggest that you should only access profiles and accounts when you’re on your own computer.  It can be dangerous to do so in internet cafe’s etc because criminals can easily access previous used passwords using their technical equipment.

We hope that you’ve found the Password Series interesting and helpful!  Don’t forget to check out the Microsoft Password Checker to test the strength of your passwords!

Over the next few weeks we are going to run a series of comparisons between different Anti-Virus Software.  In these comparison post’s we’re going to show you the main features that the two products provide and then tell you which we think is better through our rating system. Our ratings are worked out by the amount of ticks the product has.  Further points are awarded for faster download, simpler/better installation and cheaper price.  This time it is Norton’s 360 v3.0 vs AVG’s Award Winning Internet Security v8.5.

Feature
Download Time	Average	Fast
Installation	Quick but slightly tedious (you have to register for a second time.)  Doesn’t help you set up the general running of the software.	Takes an average length of time.  Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Antivirus Technology
Identity Protection (Including Phishing Protection, Checks Links, Keeps you details safe whilst shopping online, etc)
Antispyware
Backup Software
Automated Virus Updater
Protects against Viruses, Bots, Spyware, Rootkits, Worms, Trojan Horses, etc.
Online Storage Available?
Helps Secure and Monitor Networks
Download and Instant Messenger Screening
Firewall Protection
RRP	1 Year: £59.99 2 Years: £109.99	1 Year: £39.14 2 Years: £58.71
Available to Download from Brandstar?
Overall Rating	9 out of 14	12 out of 14

So to conclude, from our investigations and playing around with the two software’s, we can announce that we think AVG Internet Security is the better software of the two. It may not have any backup software within the package but it works out cheaper to get AVG and then buy yourself a decent back up tool and external hard drive.

Next time we’ll be comparing AVG Internet Security with McAfee Total Protection.

Bank Safe Online is a website geared towards teaching people about scams and fraud which occurs online linked with Banks.  It also focuses on teaching people how they do can do their bit in the fight against online scams and fraud.  There are 7 key elements to their site, the first is called Types of Scams.  This teaches you about three very common types of scam: Phishing, Trojan and Money Mules.  Its aims to try to help you understand what is is, and how they work.

Another key part is Spotting Scams, this shows you examples of recent scams/fraud emails which have come to their attention.  By viewing these examples you will be able to spot the scams far quicker.  As you’ll see, they can be hard to spot as some are well designed to look authentic.  In the section called Protecting yourself you are able to download their free guides to help you protect yourself from any harm.

On the site their is also a frequently asked questions section which are very good and thorough.  If you have any further questions then you can also email them through the Request Advice page.  If you wish to find out more, the site also has a Helpful Sites page which has links to sites which aim to help stop online scam and fraud.

Finally, and probably most importantly, Reporting a Scam.  Bank Safe Online want you to help them fight against online scams.  So if you think you have a Scam Email then follow one of their steps to report it.

In the past we have written about recognising spoof emails trying to acquire some form of personal information on you, whether it be from a hoax bank email or website, the problem is becoming much more common and serious.  In September 2008 there were over 8,621 Phishing Sites/Emails found and verified.  Our previous posts on this topic are:

Phishing – general advice to help you stay safe online

Advice on Hoax Virus Warning Emails

Quick Tip: Stopping Spam

Today we came across PayPals 3 Part Phishing Guide.  We think that articles are well worth a look.  They are primarily based on helping identify PayPal spoof emails, however much of the information applies to general spoof emails.  The links below link to each Part of the Guide:

Part 1- Understanding Phishing

Part 2 – Recognizing Phishing

Part 3 – Fighting Phishing

With more and more phishing sites/emails being found each month we all need to be on our toes with what’s going on!

Safe Surfing!