The Internet can give you access to information, entertainment, financial offers, and countless other services. 

At the same time, it can leave you vulnerable to online scammers or identity thieves. 

Learn experts’ top seven practices for safer computing, as well as some terms and remedies.

STOP • THINK • CLICK

7 PRACTICES

FOR SAFER COMPUTING
PAGE 2

The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer 

protection agency. The FTC works for the consumer 

to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business 

practices in the marketplace and to provide information 

to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them.

Consumers can contact the FTC for free information on 

a wide range of issues, including:

Advertising Claims • Buying, Leasing, and Renting Cars

Credit • Debt Collection • Employment and Job Placement 

Identity Theft • Investment Schemes

Online Shopping • Scholarship Scams

Sweepstakes • Telemarketing

Work-At-Home Schemes... and More

 To file a complaint or get free information on consumer 

issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP 

(1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a new 

video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn 

more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the 

Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database 

and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and 

criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and 

abroad. 

The FTC manages OnGuardOnline.gov, a joint project 

of the federal government and the technology industry 

providing practical tips to help you guard against 

Internet fraud, secure your computers, and protect your 

personal information.

Thanks to the Internet, you can buy just about anything online, watch movies and 

t.v. shows, catch the latest news, discuss a topic that interests you, take classes, buy 

a book or download music and games, communicate with friends and family, meet 

new people...the list goes on. 

The flip-side, however, is that the Internet – and the anonymity it affords – also can 

give online scammers, hackers, and identity thieves access to your computer, personal 

information, finances, and more.

The FTC believes that consumer education truly is the first line of defense for 

computer users against fraud and deception online.

With awareness as your safety net, you can minimize the chance of an Internet 

mishap. An aware computer user is more likely to recognize a phishing e-mail, more 

likely to download a spyware detector, and far less likely to disclose, expose, or 

unwittingly share personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, 

prepared this supplement. The articles provide practical tips to help you be on guard 

against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. 

Keep them in mind as you take advantage of all the Internet has to offer – safely.
PAGE 3

Test Your Knowledge: Check Out the Interactive Quizzes at OnGuardOnline.gov.

Protect your personal

information. 

It’s valuable.

To an identity thief, your personal information 

can provide instant access to your financial 

accounts, your credit record, and other assets.

If you think no one would target your personal 

information, think again. The reality is that 

anyone can be a victim of identity theft. According 

to a Federal Trade Commission survey, there are 

almost 10 million victims every year. It’s often 

difficult to know how thieves obtained their 

victims’ personal information. While it definitely 

can happen offline, some cases start when online 

data is stolen.

Unfortunately, you can’t entirely control 

whether you will become a victim of identity 

theft. But following these tips can help minimize 

your risk while you’re online:

• If asked for personal information – your name, 

email or home address, phone number, account 

numbers, or Social Security number – find 

out how it’s going to be used and how it will 

be protected before you share it. In general, 

its a good idea to keep your last name, home 

address, and phone number to yourself.

• If you get an email or pop-up message asking 

for personal information, don’t reply or click on 

the link in the message. To check if a company 

with whom you have an account or placed an 

order may need such information, contact them 

directly in a way you know to be genuine, like a 

phone number from directory assistance. In any 

case, don’t send personal information via email 

because email is not a secure transmission 

method.

• When shopping online, don’t provide personal 

or financial information through a company’s 

website until you check that the site is secure.

Look for indicators like a lock icon on the 

browser’s status bar or a website URL that 

begins “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”). 

Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some 

scammers have forged security icons.

• Read website privacy policies. These should 

explain what personal information the website 

collects, how the information is used, and 

whether it is provided to third parties. The 

privacy policy also should tell whether you have 

the right to see what information the website 

has about you and what security measures the 

company takes to protect your information. 

If you don’t see a privacy policy – or if you 

can’t understand it – consider doing business 

elsewhere.

1 7

To be safer and more 

secure online, adopt these 

seven practices.

Practices

for

Safer

Computing
PAGE 4

Know who 

you’re 

dealing with.

And know what 

you’re getting into. There are dishonest 

people in the bricks and mortar 

world as well as on the Internet. But 

online, you can’t judge an operator’s 

trustworthiness with a gut-affirming 

look in the eye. It’s remarkably simple 

for online scammers to impersonate 

a legitimate business, so you need 

to know with whom you’re dealing. 

Check out the seller before you buy. A 

legitimate business or individual seller 

should give you a physical address and 

a working telephone number at which 

they can be contacted in case you have 

problems.

PHISHING: Bait or Prey?

“We suspect an unauthorized 

transaction on your account. To ensure 

that your account is not compromised, 

please click the link below and confirm 

your identity.”

“During our regular verification 

of accounts, we couldn’t verify your 

information. Please click here to update 

and verify your information.”

Have you received email with a 

similar message? It’s a scam called 

“phishing” – and it involves Internet 

fraudsters who send spam or pop-up 

messages to lure personal information 

(credit card numbers, bank account 

information, Social Security number, 

passwords, or other sensitive 

information) from unsuspecting 

victims.

“Phishers” send spam or pop-up 

messages claiming to be from a 

business or organization that you might 

deal with – for example, an Internet 

Service Provider (ISP), bank, online 

payment service, or even a government 

agency. The message usually says you 

need to “update” or “validate” your 

account information. It might threaten 

some dire consequence if you don’t 

respond. The message directs 

you to a website that looks just like 

a legitimate organization’s, but isn’t. 

Don’t take the bait: NEVER reply to or 

click on links in email or pop-ups that 

ask for personal information. Legitimate 

companies don’t ask for information 

this way. If you are directed to a 

website to update your information, 

verify that the site is legitimate by 

calling the company directly, using 

contact information from your account 

statements. Or open a new browser 

window and type the URL into the 

address field, watching that the actual 

URL of the site you visit doesn’t change 

and is still the one you intended to visit. 

Forward spam that is phishing for 

information to spam@uce.gov and to 

the company, bank, or organization 

impersonated in the phishing email. 

Most organizations have information 

on their websites about where to report 

problems.

These additional tips may help you 

avoid getting hooked by a phishing 

scam:

• Area codes can mislead. Some 

scammers send an email that 

appears to be from a legitimate 

business and ask you to call a 

phone number to update your 

account or access a “refund.” 

Because they use Voice Over 

Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, 

the area code you call does not 

reflect their real location. To reach 

an organization you do business 

with, call the number on your 

financial statements or on the back 

of your credit card. In any case, 

delete random emails that ask you 

to confirm or divulge your financial 

information. 

• Review credit card and bank 

account statements as soon as 

you receive them to check for 

unauthorized charges. If your 

statement is late by more than 

a couple of days, call your credit 

card company or bank to confirm 

your billing address and account 

balances.

• Be cautious about opening any 

attachment or downloading any 

files from emails you receive, 

regardless of who sent them. These 

files can contain viruses or other 

software that can weaken your 

computer’s security.

FREE SOFTWARE 

AND FILE-SHARING: 

Worth the hidden costs?

Every day, millions of computer 

users share files online. Filesharing gives access to a wealth of 

information, including music, games, 

and software. How does it work? 

You download special software 

that connects your computer to an 

informal network of other computers 

running the same software. Millions 

of users could be connected to each 

other through this software at one 

time. Often the software is free and 

easily accessible.

But file-sharing poses a risk. If you 

don’t check the proper settings, you 

could permit access not just to the 

files you intend to share, but also to 

other information on your hard drive, 

like your tax returns, email messages, 

medical records, photos, or other 

personal documents. In addition, 

you may unwittingly download 

pornography labeled as something 

else. Or you may download material 

that is protected by the copyright 

laws, which would mean you could be 

breaking the law.

If you decide to use file-sharing 

software, set it up carefully. Read the 

End User Licensing Agreement to be 

sure you understand and are willing 

to tolerate the side effects of any free 

downloads.

“Some ‘free’ 

software comes 

with spyware.”

2

True or False:

 To do file-sharing, your computer needs special software that connects it to an

 informal network of computers running the same software. Answer: True.
PAGE 5

Use antivirus and 

anti-spyware 

software, 

as well as a 

firewall, and update 

them all regularly.

Dealing with anti-virus and firewall 

protection may sound about as 

exciting as flossing your teeth, but 

it’s just as important. Having intense 

dental treatment is never fun; neither 

is dealing with the effects of a 

preventable computer virus.

Anti-virus Software

Anti-virus software protects 

your computer from viruses that 

can destroy your data, slow your 

computer’s performance, cause a 

crash, or even allow spammers to send 

email through your account. It works 

by scanning your computer and your 

incoming email for viruses, and then 

deleting those viruses.

To be effective, your anti-virus 

software should update routinely 

with antidotes to the latest “bugs” 

circulating through the Internet. 

Most commercial anti-virus software 

includes a feature to download 

updates automatically when you are 

on the Internet.

What to Look 

For and Where

to Get It

You can download anti-virus 

software from the websites of 

software companies or buy it in 

retail stores. Look for anti-virus 

software that:

• Removes or quarantines 

viruses

• Updates automatically

Firewalls

Don’t be put off by the word 

“firewall.” You don’t need 

to know how it works; just 

know what it does and why 

you need it. Firewalls help 

prevent hackers from using 

your computer to send out your 

personal information without 

your permission. While anti-virus 

software scans incoming email 

and files, a firewall is like a guard, 

watching for outside attempts to 

access your system and blocking 

communications to and from sources 

you don’t permit.

Some operating systems and 

hardware devices come with a builtin firewall that may be shipped in 

the “off” mode. Make sure you turn 

it on. For your firewall to be effective, 

it needs to be set up properly and 

updated regularly. Check your online 

“Help” feature for specific instructions.

If your operating system doesn’t 

include a firewall, get a separate 

software firewall that runs in the 

background while you're online, 

or install a hardware firewall – an 

external device that includes firewall 

software. Several free firewall 

software programs are available 

on the Internet.

Zombie Drones

Some spammers search 

the Internet for unprotected 

computers they can control 

and use anonymously to 

send unwanted spam 

emails. If you don't have 

up-to-date anti-virus 

protection and a firewall, 

spammers may try to 

install software that 

lets them 

route email through your 

computer, often to thousands of 

recipients, so that it appears to 

have come from your account. If 

this happens, you may receive an 

overwhelming number of complaints 

from recipients, and your email 

account could be shut down by your 

Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Spyware

Installed on your computer without 

your consent, spyware software 

monitors or controls your computer 

use. It may be used to send you 

pop-up ads, redirect your computer 

to websites, monitor your Internet 

surfing, or record your keystrokes, 

which, in turn, could lead to 

the theft of your personal 

information.

Clues that spyware is 

on a computer include:

• A barrage of pop-up 

ads

• A hijacked browser 

– that is, a browser that 

takes you to sites other 

than those you type into 

the address box

• A sudden or repeated change in 

your computer’s Internet home 

page 

• New and unexpected toolbars

• Unexpected icons on the system 

tray at the bottom of your computer 

screen

• Keys that don’t work (for example, 

the “Tab” key that might not work 

when you try to move to the next 

field in a Web form)

• Random error messages

• Sluggish or downright slow 

performance when opening 

programs or saving files

You can take steps to limit your 

vulnerability to spyware:

• Update your operating system 

and Web browser software. Your 

operating system (like Windows 

or Linux) may offer free software 

“patches” to close holes in the 

system that spyware could exploit. 

Make sure to set your browser 

security high enough to detect 

unauthorized downloads.

• Download free software only from 

sites you know and trust. It can 

be appealing to download free 

software like games, file-sharing 

programs, customized toolbars, or 

other programs that may change or 

customize the functioning of your 

computer. Be aware, however, that 

many free software applications 

bundle other software, including 

spyware.

3

True or False:

 When downloading from another computer, the only way to know what you’re really 

getting is to check the file name. Answer: False
PAGE 6

• Don’t install any software without 

knowing exactly what it is. Take 

the time to read the end-user 

license agreement (EULA) before 

downloading any software. If the 

EULA is hard to find – or difficult 

to understand – think twice about 

installing the software. 

• Don’t click on any links within 

pop-up windows. If you do, you 

may install spyware on your 

computer. Instead, close pop-up 

windows by clicking on the “X” 

icon in the title bar. 

• Don’t click on links in spam 

that claim to offer anti-spyware 

software. Some software offered in 

spam actually installs spyware.

If you think your computer might 

have spyware on it, experts advise 

that you: 

• Get an anti-spyware program from 

a vendor you know and trust. 

• Set it to scan on a regular basis 

– at least once a week – and every 

time you start your computer, if 

possible. 

• Delete any software programs the 

anti-spyware program detects that 

you don’t want on your computer.

EMAIL

ATTACHMENTS 

AND LINKS: 

Legitimate or virus-laden?

Most viruses sent over email or 

Instant Messenger won’t damage your 

computer without your participation. 

For example, you would have to open 

an email or attachment that includes 

a virus or follow a link to a site that is 

programmed to infect your computer. 

That's why hackers often lie to get 

you to open the email attachment 

or click on a link. Some virus-laden 

emails appear to come from a friend 

or colleague; some have an appealing 

file name, like “Fwd: FUNNY”. Others 

promise to clean a virus off your 

computer if you open it or follow the 

link.

Don’t open an email or attachment 

– even if it appears to be from a friend 

or coworker – unless you are expecting 

it or know what it contains. You can 

help others trust your attachments by 

including a text message explaining 

what you’re attaching.

Be sure to 

set up your 

operating 

system and 

Web browser 

software properly, and 

update them regularly.

Hackers take advantage 

of Web browsers (like 

Internet Explorer or 

Firefox) and operating 

system software (like 

Windows or Linux) 

that are unsecured. 

Lessen your risk 

by changing 

the settings 

in your 

browser or 

operating 

system to 

increase 

your online 

security. 

Check the 

“Tools” or 

“Options” 

menus for 

built-in security features. 

For help in understanding your 

choices, use your “Help” function.

Your operating system also may 

offer free software “patches” that close 

holes that hackers could exploit. Many 

popular operating systems can be set 

to automatically retrieve and install 

patches. If your system does not do 

this, bookmark the manufacturer’s 

website so you can visit often and 

update your system with defenses 

against the latest attacks. Your email 

software may help you avoid viruses by 

giving you the ability to filter certain 

types of spam. It may be up to you to 

activate the filter.

Protect your 

passwords.

Keep your passwords 

in a secure place, and 

out of plain view. Don’t 

share passwords on the Internet, over 

email, or on the phone. Your Internet 

Service Provider (ISP) should never ask 

for your password.

Hackers may try to figure out your 

passwords to gain access to your 

computer. To make it tougher for them:

• Use passwords that have at least 

eight characters and include 

numbers or symbols. The longer the 

password, the tougher it is to crack. 

A 12-character password is stronger 

than one with eight characters.

• Avoid common words: some hackers 

use programs that can try every 

word in the dictionary.

• Don’t use personal information, 

your login name, or adjacent keys on 

the keyboard as passwords.

One way to create a strong password 

is to think of a memorable phrase and 

use the first letter of each word as your 

password, converting some letters 

into numbers that resemble letters. 

For example, “How much wood could 

a woodchuck chuck” would become 

HmWc@wCc.

4

5

True or False:

 File-sharing programs will find and remove spyware that has been 

secretly installed on your computer. Answer: False
PAGE 7

The bottom line for online threats 

like phishing, spyware, and 

hackers is identity theft. ID theft 

occurs when someone uses your 

name, Social Security number, 

credit card number or other 

personal information without 

your permission to commit fraud 

or other crimes.

Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, 

and review the reports carefully. The alert tells 

creditors to follow certain procedures before they 

open new accounts in your name or make changes 

to your existing accounts. The three nationwide 

credit reporting companies have toll-free numbers 

for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to 

one company is sufficient:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been 

tampered with or established fraudulently.

• Call the security or fraud departments of each 

company where an account was opened or 

changes were made without your okay. Follow 

up in writing; include copies of supporting 

documents.

• Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to 

support your written statement. 

• Ask for verification that the disputed account 

has been closed and the fraudulent debts 

discharged. 

• Keep copies of documents and records of your 

conversations about the theft.

File a police report. File a report with law 

enforcement officials to help you deal with 

creditors who may want proof of the crime. 

Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission.

For more information, visit ftc.gov/idtheft

If your information is accidentally disclosed or 

deliberately stolen, take these steps quickly to minimize 

the potential damage from identity theft.

You get an email 

that asks for your 

personal and financial 

information. What 

should you do?

a. Do not respond. Send 

the spam to the FTC at 

spam@uce.gov so that it 

can be available to law 

enforcement.

b. Always avoid emailing 

personal and financial 

information – like your 

Social Security number or 

account numbers.

c. a. and b.

identitytheft

Answer: c. If you get an unexpected 

email from an organization asking 

for your personal information, 

contact the organization using a 

telephone number you know to be 

genuine. Or open a new Internet 

browser window and type in the 

. Web address you know is correct

Back up 

important 

files.

Following these tips, 

you’re more likely to stay secure online, 

free of interference from hackers, 

viruses, and spammers. But no system 

is impenetrable. Copy your important 

files onto a disc you can remove, and 

store it in a safe place.

Learn who 

to contact if 

something 

goes wrong 

online.

Hacking or Computer 

Virus

If your computer gets hacked 

or infected by a virus:

• Immediately disconnect 

your machine from the 

Internet. Then scan your 

entire computer with fully 

updated anti-virus and 

anti-spyware software, and 

update your firewall. 

• Alert the appropriate 

authorities. Contact: 

• Your ISP and the hacker’s ISP 

(if you can tell what it is). You 

usually can find an ISP’s email 

address on its website. Include 

information on the incident 

from your firewall’s log file. By 

alerting the ISP to the problem 

on its system, you can help it 

prevent similar problems in the 

future.

• The FBI’s Internet Crime 

Complaint Center at ic3.gov. To 

fight computer criminals, they 

need to hear from you.

Internet Fraud

If a scammer takes advantage of 

you through an Internet auction, 

when you’re shopping online, or in 

any other way, report it to the Federal 

Trade Commission, at ftc.gov. The FTC 

enters Internet, identity theft, and 

other fraud-related complaints into 

Consumer Sentinel, a secure online 

database available to hundreds of 

civil and criminal law enforcement 

agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Deceptive Spam

If you get deceptive spam, including 

email phishing for your information, 

forward it to spam@uce.gov. Be 

sure to include the full header of the 

email, with all routing information. 

You also may report phishing email 

to reportphishing@antiphishing.

org. The Anti-Phishing Working 

Group, a consortium of ISPs, security 

vendors, financial institutions, and law 

enforcement agencies, uses these 

reports to fight 

phishing.

Divulged 

Personal 

Information

If you have mistakenly 

given out personal 

information, file a complaint 

at ftc.gov, and then visit the Federal 

Trade Commission’s Identity Theft 

website at ftc.gov/idtheft to learn 

how to minimize your risk of damage 

from a potential theft of your personal 

information.

6

7
PAGE 8

You’ve probably learned a long list of 

important safety and privacy lessons 

in your life: Look both ways before 

crossing the street; buckle up; don’t 

talk to strangers; hide your diary 

where your nosy brother can’t find it.

Add one more lesson 

to the list: Don’t post 

information about yourself 

online that you don’t 

want the whole world to 

know. The Internet is the 

world’s biggest information 

exchange: many more people 

could see your information 

than you intend, including 

your parents, your teachers, 

your employer, the police 

– and strangers, some of 

whom could be dangerous.

Social networking sites 

have added a new factor 

to the “friends of friends” 

equation. By providing 

information about yourself 

and using blogs, chat rooms, 

email, or instant messaging, 

you can communicate, 

either within a limited 

community, or with the 

world at large. But while 

the sites can increase your 

circle of friends, they also can 

increase your exposure to 

people who have less-thanfriendly intentions. You’ve 

heard the stories about 

people who were stalked by 

someone they met online, 

had their identity stolen, or 

had their computer hacked.

• Find out how different 

sites work before deciding 

to join. Some sites allow 

only a defined community 

of users to access posted 

content; others allow 

anyone and everyone to 

view postings. 

• Keep some control over the 

information you post by 

restricting access to your 

page. 

• Keep your full name, Social 

Security number, address, 

phone number, and 

bank or credit card account 

numbers to yourself. Don’t 

post them.

• Make sure your screen 

name doesn’t say too much 

about you. Even if you think 

it makes you anonymous, 

it doesn’t take a genius to 

combine clues to figure out 

who you are and where you 

can be found. 

• Post only information that 

you are comfortable with 

others seeing and knowing. 

• Consider not posting your 

photo. It can be altered or 

broadcast in ways you may 

not be happy about. 

• Flirting with strangers 

online could have serious 

consequences. Some 

people lie about who they 

really are. 

• Be wary if a new friend 

wants to meet you in 

person. If you decide to 

meet them, meet in a 

public place, during the 

day, with friends you trust. 

And tell a responsible adult 

where you’re going. 

• Trust your gut if you have 

suspicions. If you feel 

threatened by someone or 

uncomfortable because of 

something online, tell an 

adult you trust. If threats 

continue, report them to 

the police. 

For more 

information, visit 

OnGuardOnline.gov/

socialnetworkingsites

True or False:

If you accidentally put something on your page that’s too personal or private,

you can delete it. But you won’t be able to “take it back” completely.

networking sites

SOCIAL Safety 

Tips

for Tweens 

and Teens

Answer: True. Even if you delete information from your page, it may still be available in older versions of your page that exist on the computers of anyone who visited 

while the information was posted. 
PAGE 9

• Know who you’re dealing with. Anyone 

can set up shop online under almost any 

name. Confirm the online seller’s physical 

address and phone number in case 

you have questions or problems. If you 

get an email or pop-up message while 

you’re browsing that asks for financial 

information, don’t reply or click on the link 

in the message. Legitimate companies 

don’t ask for this information via email. 

• Know exactly what you’re buying. Read 

the seller’s description of the product 

closely, especially the fine print. Words 

like “refurbished,” “vintage,” or “close-out” 

may indicate that the product is in lessthan-mint condition, while name-brand 

items with “too good to be true” prices 

could be counterfeits.

• Know what it will cost. Check out 

websites that offer price comparisons and 

then compare “apples to apples.” Factor 

shipping and handling – along with your 

needs and budget – into the total cost 

of the order. Do not send cash under any 

circumstances.

• Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay 

by credit or charge card online, your 

transaction will be protected by the Fair 

Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you 

have the right to dispute charges under 

certain circumstances and temporarily 

withhold payment while the creditor 

is investigating them. In the event of 

unauthorized use of your credit or charge 

card, you generally would be held liable 

only for the first $50 in charges. Some 

companies offer an online shopping 

guarantee that ensures you will not be 

held responsible for any unauthorized 

charges made online, and some cards may 

provide additional warranty, return, and/

or purchase protection benefits.

• Check out the terms of the deal, like 

refund policies and delivery dates. When 

you will receive your order? Can you 

return the item for a full refund if you’re 

not satisfied? If you return it, find out who 

pays the shipping costs or restocking fees. 

A Federal Trade Commission rule requires 

sellers to ship items as promised or within 

30 days after the order date if no specific 

date is promised.

• Keep a paper trail. Print and save records 

of your online transactions, including 

the product description and price, the 

online receipt, and copies of every email 

you send or receive from the seller. 

Read your credit card statements as you 

receive them and be on the lookout for 

unauthorized charges.

• Check the privacy policy. It should let 

you know what personal information the 

website operators are collecting, why, and 

how they’re going to use the information. 

If you can’t find a privacy policy – or if 

you can’t understand it – consider taking 

your business to another site that’s more 

consumer-friendly. 

For more information, visit 

OnGuardOnline.gov/shopping

Answer: True. The FTC states that a company should ship your order within the time stated in its advertisements. If no time is promised, the company should ship your order within 30 days after receiving it. If the 

company is unable to ship within the promised time, they must give you an option notice, giving you the choice of agreeing to the delay or canceling your order and receiving a prompt refund. One exception to 

the 30-day rule: If a company doesn’t promise a shipping time, and you’re applying for credit to pay for your purchase, the company has 50 days to ship after receiving your order. 

True or False: 

Online sellers must ship items as promised or within 30 days 

after your order is placed if no date is promised.

shopping

Shopping online offers lots of 

benefits that you won’t find 

shopping in a store or by mail. 

The Internet is always open and 

bargains can be numerous. With 

a click of a mouse, you can buy an 

airline ticket, book a hotel, send 

flowers to a friend, or buy your 

favorite fashions. But sizing up 

your finds on the Internet is a little 

different from checking out items 

at the mall.

If you’re buying items online, here are ways to make 

the most of your shopping experience:

ONLINE

Newspaper Activities

Find articles about Internet frauds. 

Summarize the story by identifying the 5W’s 

and the H (who, what, when, where, why & 

how) of the story. Then read commentaries 

in the newspaper. Using them as examples, 

write a brief commentary suggesting ways to 

stop this type of crime and how perpetrators 

should be punished.

Find positive stories about use of the Internet 

by the government, non-profits or other 

organizations. How was the Internet used? 

What were the positive results?

Look at ads in the newspaper. Do most 

companies now have web addresses in their 

ads? What might be the reasons for them to 

display their URL? How might that help you 

as a consumer?

Find stories about social networking 

sites, chat rooms, or other Internet stories 

featuring young people. What are the issues 

being addressed? Are there concerns or bad 

outcomes because of how the Internet what 

used? Are there lessons to be learned about 

Internet safety, what are they? 
PAGE 10

Here are some basic tips to help you avoid being 

a victim of a scam:

• Protect your personal information. Share 

credit card or other personal information 

only when you’re buying from a company you 

know and trust. 

• Know who you’re dealing with. Don’t do 

business with any company that won’t 

provide its name, street address, and 

telephone number.

• Take your time. Resist any urge to “act now” 

despite the offer and the terms. Once you 

turn over your money, you may never get it 

back.

• Read the small print. Get all promises in 

writing and review them carefully before you 

make a payment or sign a contract.

• Never pay for a “free” gift. Disregard any offer 

that asks you to pay for a gift or prize. If it’s 

free or a gift, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. 

Free means free.

FILTER TIPS: SCAMS TO SCREEN

FROM YOUR EMAIL

While some consumers find spam informative, 

others find it annoying and time consuming. 

Still others find it expensive: They’re among 

the people who have lost money to spam 

that contained bogus offers and fraudulent 

promotions. 

Many Internet Service Providers and 

businesses offer filtering software to limit the 

spam in their users’ email in-boxes. In addition, 

some old-fashioned ‘filter tips’ can help you save 

time and money by avoiding frauds pitched 

in email. When you screen spam for scams, 

send unwanted spam on to the appropriate 

enforcement authorities, and then hit delete. 

Here’s how to spot some common spam scams:

Work-at-Home Scams

The Bait: Advertisements that promise steady 

income for minimal labor – in medical claims 

processing, envelope-stuffing, craft assembly 

work, or other jobs. The ads use similar comeons: Fast cash. Minimal work. No risk. And the 

advantage of working from home when it’s 

convenient for you.

Some email users have 

lost money to bogus 

offers that started as 

spam in their in-box. 

Con artists are very 

cunning; they know 

how to make their claims 

seem legitimate. Some 

spam messages ask for 

your business, others 

invite you to a website 

with a detailed pitch. 

SPAM

S

C

M

S
PAGE 11

The Catch: The ads don’t say you may 

have to work many hours without 

pay, or pay hidden costs to place 

newspaper ads, make photocopies, or 

buy supplies, software, or equipment 

to do the job. Once you put in your 

own time and money, you’re likely 

to find promoters who refuse to pay 

you, claiming that your work isn’t up 

to their “quality standards.”

Your Safety Net: The FTC has yet to 

find anyone who has gotten rich 

stuffing envelopes or assembling 

magnets at home. Legitimate workat-home business promoters should 

tell you – in writing – exactly what’s 

involved in the program they’re 

selling. Before you commit any 

money, find out what tasks you will 

have to perform, whether you will be 

paid a salary or work on commission, 

who will pay you, when you will get 

your first paycheck, the total cost of 

the program – including supplies, 

equipment and membership fees 

– and what you will get for your 

money. Can you verify information 

from current workers? Be aware of 

“shills” – people who are paid to lie 

and give you every reason to pay for 

work. Get professional advice from 

a lawyer, an accountant, a financial 

advisor, or another expert if you need 

it.

Weight Loss Claims

The Bait: Emails promising a 

revolutionary pill, patch, cream, or 

other product that will result in 

weight loss without diet or exercise. 

Some products claim to block the 

absorption of fat, carbs, or calories; 

others guarantee permanent weight

loss; still others suggest you’ll lose 

lots of weight at lightening speed.

The Catch: These are gimmicks, 

playing on your sense of hopefulness. 

There’s nothing advertised through 

email you can wear or apply to your 

skin that can cause permanent – or 

even significant – weight loss.

Your Safety Net: Experts agree that 

the best way to lose weight is to 

eat fewer calories and increase your 

physical activity so you burn more 

energy. A reasonable goal is to lose 

about a pound a week. For most 

people, that means cutting about 

500 calories a day from your diet, 

eating a variety of nutritious foods, 

and exercising regularly. Permanent 

weight loss happens with permanent 

lifestyle changes. Talk to your health 

care provider about a nutrition and 

exercise program suited to your 

lifestyle and metabolism.

Cure-All Products

The Bait: Emails claiming that 

a product is a “miracle cure,” a 

“scientific breakthrough,” an “ancient 

remedy” – or a quick and effective 

cure for a wide variety of ailments or 

diseases. They may announce limited 

availability, require payment in 

advance, and offer a no-risk “moneyback guarantee.” Case histories or 

testimonials by consumers or doctors 

claiming amazing results are not 

uncommon.

The Catch: There is no product 

or dietary supplement available 

via email that can make good on 

its claims to shrink tumors, cure 

insomnia, cure impotency, cure 

cancer, and prevent severe memory 

loss. These kinds of claims deal 

with the treatment of 

diseases; companies 

that want to 

make claims 

like these

must follow the FDA’s pre-market 

testing and review process required 

for new drugs.

Your Safety Net: When evaluating 

health-related claims, be skeptical. 

Consult a health care professional 

before buying any “cure-all” that 

claims to treat a wide range of 

ailments or offers quick cures and 

easy solutions to serious illnesses. 

Generally speaking, cure-all is cure 

none.

Check Overpayment 

Scams

The Bait: A response to your ad or 

online auction posting, offering to 

pay with a cashier’s, personal, or 

corporate check. At the last minute, 

the so-called buyer (or the buyer’s 

“agent”) comes up with a reason for 

writing the check for more than the 

purchase price, and asks you to wire 

back the difference after you deposit 

the check.

The Catch: If you deposit the check, 

you lose. Typically, the checks are 

counterfeit, but they’re good enough 

to fool unsuspecting bank tellers; 

when they bounce, you are liable for 

the entire amount, even if the check 

had cleared.

Your Safety Net: Don’t accept a check 

for more than your selling price, no 

matter how tempting the plea or 

convincing the story. Ask the buyer 

to write the check for the purchase 

price. If the buyer sends the incorrect 

amount, return the check. Don’t send 

the merchandise. As a seller who 

accepts payment by check, you may 

ask for a check drawn on a local bank, 

or a bank with a local branch. That 

way, you can visit personally to make 

sure the check is valid. If that’s not 

possible, call the bank the check was 

drawn on using the phone number 

from directory assistance or an 

Internet site that you know 

and trust, not from the 

person who gave 

you the check. 

Ask if the check is 

valid. 

Forward check 

overpayment 

scams to spam@

uce.gov and your state 

Attorney General. You can 

find contact information for 

your state Attorney General at 

naag.org. For more information, 

visit OnGuardOnline.gov/spam.

FIGHTING BACK

Con artists are clever and cunning, 

constantly hatching new variations 

on age-old scams. Still, skeptical 

consumers can spot questionable or 

unsavory promotions in email offers. 

Should you receive an email that you 

think may be fraudulent, forward 

it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov, hit 

delete, and smile. You’ll be doing your 

part to help put a scam artist out of 

work.

Newspaper activity:

Find stories in the newspaper 

about the FTC or other federal, 

state or local consumer agencies. 

How are these agencies helping 

consumers deal with various 

issues of fraud? Are new rules 

or laws being enacted to help 

consumers? What do you think 

should be done?

An online ad 

promises good 

money for working 

a few hours a day at 

home. For a “small” 

fee, you’ll find out 

how to earn money 

stuffing envelopes. 

The ad might not say:

a. You might have to work 

many hours without pay.

b. You may have to pay for 

your own supplies.

c. There might NOT be any 

customers willing to pay 

for your service.

d. All of the above.

Answer: d. We don’t know of anyone who 

has gotten rich stuffing envelopes at home. 

Check out ftc.gov/workathome for more 

information.
PAGE 12

Answer: True. Credit cards allow buyers to seek a credit from the credit card issuer if the item isn’t delivered or isn’t what they ordered. Some online payment services also offer 

protections, but you should read each service’s terms of agreement before you use it. With other kinds of payments – like money wiring services, or even a check – you’ll have no 

recourse if there’s a problem. 

Internet auction sites give buyers a “virtual” flea market with new 

and used merchandise from around the world; they give sellers a global 

storefront from which to market their goods. But the online auction business 

can be risky business. 

OnGuard Online wants 

to help buyers and 

sellers stay safe on 

auction websites. 

Among the thousands of 

consumer fraud complaints 

the FTC receives every year, 

those dealing with online 

auction fraud consistently rank 

near the top of the list. The 

complaints generally deal with 

late shipments, no shipments, 

or shipments of products 

that aren’t the same quality 

as advertised; bogus online 

payment or escrow services; 

and fraudulent dealers who lure 

bidders from legitimate auction 

sites with seemingly better 

deals. Most complaints involve 

sellers, but in some cases, the 

buyers are the subject.

Thinking of bidding in an online auction, or 

selling some of your stuff? Internet auctions 

are a great resource for shoppers and sellers, 

but you need to watch out for some pitfalls.

 Here’s how:

• Evaluate how soon you need to receive 

the item you’re bidding on, and whether 

you can tolerate it being delivered late, 

or even not delivered. Many complaints 

about Internet auction fraud involve late 

shipments, no shipments, or shipments of 

products that aren’t the same quality as 

advertised. 

• Carefully consider your 

method of payment. Learn 

what recourse you have if 

something goes wrong. Don’t 

send cash, and don’t use a 

money wiring service. 

• Whether you’re a buyer or a 

seller, read each auction site’s 

Terms of Use before using it 

for the first time – sites may 

charge fees, follow different 

rules, or offer different 

protections.

• Know exactly what you’re 

bidding on. Read and print a 

copy of the seller’s description 

of the product, especially the fine print. 

Save copies of all emails you send and 

receive from the auction site or seller, too. 

• Know who you’re dealing with. Avoid 

doing business with sellers you can’t 

identify, especially those who try to lure 

you off the auction site with promises of a 

better deal. Confirm the seller’s telephone 

number in case you have questions or 

problems. 

• Don’t reply to “phishing” 

emails. Delete messages 

that look like they’ve been 

sent by an auction website 

or payment service and ask 

for your password or other personal 

information. 

• Watch out for fake check scams. If a 

“buyer” sends you a check for more 

than your agreed-upon price, don’t 

ship the item you are selling, don’t 

cash the check, and don’t send the 

“buyer” any money. It’s almost 

certainly a scam.

If you have problems during a transaction, 

try to work them out directly with the seller, 

buyer, or site operator. If that doesn’t work, 

file a complaint with:

• The attorney general’s office in your state;

• Your county or state consumer protection 

agency (check the blue pages of the 

phone book under county or state 

government);

• The Better Business Bureau; and

• The Federal Trade Commission. File a 

complaint online at ftc.gov.

For more information, visit 

OnGuardOnline.gov/auctions

internet auctions

True or False: 

It’s a good idea to use a credit card when paying 

for items on an Internet auction.
PAGE 13

Answer: True. All modern computers have their own unique MAC addresses, so you should be able to set your router to allow only computers you know to use your network. But 

be forewarned – some hackers have “spoofed” MAC addresses, so this step alone is not enough to secure your wireless network.

True or False: 

You can set your wireless router to only allow certain computers access to your network.

wireless security

I

ncreasingly, computer users 

interested in convenience and 

mobility are accessing the Internet 

wirelessly. Today, business travelers 

use wireless laptops to stay in touch 

with the home office; vacationers beam 

snapshots to friends while still on 

holiday; and shoppers place orders from 

the comfort of their couches. A wireless 

network can connect computers in 

different parts of your home or school 

without a tangle of cords, and enable 

you to work on a laptop anywhere 

within the network’s range.

Going wireless generally requires a 

broadband Internet connection into 

your home, called an “access point,” 

like a cable or DSL line that runs into a 

modem. To set up the wireless network, 

you connect the access point to a 

wireless router that broadcasts a signal 

through the air, sometimes as far as 

several hundred feet. Any computer 

within range that’s equipped with a 

wireless client card can pull the signal 

from the air and gain access to the 

Internet.

The downside of a wireless 

network is that, unless you take 

certain precautions, anyone with a 

wireless-ready computer can use your 

network. That means your neighbors, 

or even hackers lurking nearby, could 

“piggyback” on your network, or 

even access the information on your 

computer. And if an unauthorized 

person uses your network to commit a 

crime or send spam, the activity can be 

traced back to your account. Here's how 

you can protect your wireless network 

and the computers on it.

1. Use encryption. The most effective 

way to secure your wireless network 

from intruders is to encrypt, or 

scramble, communications over the 

network. Most wireless routers, access 

points, and base stations have a built-in 

encryption mechanism. If your wireless 

router doesn’t have an encryption 

feature, consider getting one that does.

Manufacturers often deliver wireless 

routers with the encryption feature 

turned off. You must turn it on. The 

directions that come with your wireless 

router should explain how to do 

that. If they don’t, check the router 

manufacturer’s website.

Two main types of encryption are 

available: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) 

and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). 

Your computer, router, and other 

equipment must use the same

encryption. WPA is stronger; use it if 

you have a choice. It should protect you 

against most hackers.

Some older routers use only WEP 

encryption, which is better than no 

encryption. It should protect your 

wireless network against accidental 

intrusions by neighbors or attacks by 

less sophisticated hackers. If you use 

WEP encryption, set it to the highest 

security level available. 

2. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware 

software, and a firewall. 

3. Most wireless routers have 

a mechanism called identifier 

broadcasting. Turn it off so your 

computer won’t send a signal to any 

device in the vicinity announcing its 

presence.

4. Change the identifier on your router 

from the default. The identifier for your 

router is likely to be a standard, default 

ID assigned by the manufacturer to all 

hardware of that model. Even if your 

router is not broadcasting its identifier 

to the world, hackers know the default 

IDs and can use them to try to access 

your network. Change your identifier to 

something only you know, and 

remember to configure the same 

unique ID into your wireless router 

and your computer so they can 

communicate. Use a password that’s 

at least 10 characters long. Again, the 

longer your password, the harder it is 

for hackers to break.

5. Change your router’s pre-set 

password for administration to 

something only you know. The longer 

the password, the tougher it is to crack.

6. Allow only specific computers to 

access your wireless network. Every 

computer that is able to communicate 

with a network is assigned its own 

unique Media Access Control (MAC) 

address. Wireless routers usually have a 

mechanism to allow only devices with 

particular MAC addresses access to the 

network. Some hackers have mimicked 

MAC addresses; so don’t rely on this 

step alone.

7. Turn off your wireless network when 

you know you won’t use it. 

8. Don’t assume that public “hot spots” 

are secure. Assume that other people 

can access any information you see or 

send over a public wireless network. 

For more information, visit 

OnGuardOnline.gov/wireless
PAGE 14

Adware: A type of software that 

often comes with free downloads. 

Some adware displays ads on your 

computer, while some monitors your 

computer use (including websites 

visited) and displays targeted ads 

based on your use.

Anti-Virus Software: Protects 

your computer from viruses that 

can destroy your data, slow your 

computer’s performance, cause a 

crash, or even allow spammers to 

send email through your account.

Bandwidth: A measure of the “speed” 

of an Internet connection.

Biz Opps: Shorthand for “business 

opportunity;” some schemes involve 

extravagant and unfounded earnings 

claims and are actually fraudulent 

business ventures. 

Blocking Software: Computer 

programs that filter content from 

the Internet and block access to 

some websites or content based on 

specified criteria. 

Blog: Short for Web log. A blog is a 

website to which one or more people 

post their personal observations on 

particular subjects.

Bookmark: A Web browser feature 

that allows you to save the addresses 

of interesting or frequently used 

websites, so that you can readily 

revisit them.

Browser: A program that allows a 

user to find, view, hear, and interact 

with material on the Internet.

Browser Hijacker: A common 

spyware program that changes 

your Web browser’s home page 

automatically, even if you change it 

back.

Cache: A form of computer memory 

that allows you to access stored 

information, such as Web addresses 

you’ve recently typed into your 

browser, more quickly. Pronounced, 

“cash.”

CAN-SPAM Act: A law that 

prohibits senders of unsolicited 

commercial email from using false 

or misleading header information 

or deceptive subject lines, and 

requires them to identify each email 

as an advertisement, among other 

provisions.

Chat Room: The name given to a 

place or page in a website or online 

service where people can type 

messages that are displayed almost 

instantly on the screens of others 

who are in the “chat room.”

Cookies: A small text file that a 

website can place on your computer’s 

hard drive to collect information 

about your activities on the site or to 

allow other capabilities on the site.

Cyberspace: Used to distinguish the 

physical world from the digital, or 

computer-based, world. 

Domain: A segment of Internet 

space, denoted by the function 

or type of information it includes; 

current domains include “.com” 

for commercial sites, “.gov” for 

government ones, and “.org” for noncommercial organizations. 

Download: To copy files from one 

computer to another.

Drive-by Download: Software that 

installs on your computer without 

your knowledge when you visit 

certain websites. To avoid drive-by 

downloads, make sure to update your 

operating system and Web browser 

regularly.

DSL(Digital Subscriber Line): A means 

of accessing the Internet at high 

speed using standard phone lines.

Encryption: The scrambling of data 

into a secret code that can be read 

only by software set to decode the 

information.

End User Licensing Agreement 

(EULA): A provider’s legal terms. You, 

as the “end user,” may be required 

to “click” to accept before you can 

download software. 

Exposure: When sensitive data 

is released to someone without 

authorization.

Extended Service Set Identifier 

(ESSID): The name a manufacturer 

assigns to a router. It may be a 

standard, default name assigned by 

the manufacturer to all hardware 

of that model. Users can improve 

security by changing to a unique 

name. Similar to a Service Set 

Identifier (SSID).

Filter: Software that screens 

information on the Internet, classifies 

its content, and allows the user to 

block certain kinds of content.

File Sharing: Accessing files on one 

computer from another computer.

Firewall: Hardware or software 

that helps keep hackers from using 

your computer to send out your 

personal information without your 

permission. Firewalls watch for 

outside attempts to access your 

system and block communications to 

and from sources you don’t permit.

Gigabyte: A measure of computer 

memory equaling 1,024 megabytes.

Hacker: Someone who uses the 

Internet to access computers without 

permission.

Hardware: The mechanical parts of 

a computer system, including the 

central processing unit, monitor, 

keyboard, and mouse, as well as 

other equipment like printers and 

speakers.

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): 

A coding language used to create 

documents on the Internet and 

control how Web pages appear.

Hidden Dialers: Programs that you 

may unknowingly download that 

can use your computer to silently dial 

expensive phone calls, which later 

show up on your phone bill.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): 

The standard language that 

computers connected to the World 

Wide Web use to communicate with 

each other.

ONLINE-SPEAK

Learning the Language

You don’t have to be a computer expert to go online, but it certainly helps 

to know the language. The Federal Trade Commission has prepared this glossary to help 

you better understand techno terms.
PAGE 15

Instant Message (IM): Technology, 

similar to a chat room, which notifies 

a user when a friend is online, 

allowing them to “converse” by 

exchanging text messages.

Internet Protocol (IP): The computer 

language that allows computer 

programs to communicate over the 

Internet.

IP Address: A computer’s “address,” 

it consists of a series of numbers 

separated by periods.

ISP (Internet Service Provider): A 

company that sells direct access to 

the Internet.

Java: A computer programming 

language that enables Web pages 

to include animations, calculators, 

scrolling text, sound effects, and 

games.

JPEG: Shorthand for “Joint 

Photographic Experts Group,” a 

computer file format that reduces 

the size of graphics by using 

compression.

Keystroke Logger: A device or 

program that records each keystroke 

typed on a particular computer.

LAN (Local Area Network): A network 

of connected computers that are 

generally located near each other, 

such as in an office or school.

Media Access Control (MAC) 

Address: A unique number that 

the manufacturer assigns to each 

computer or other device in a 

network.

Monitoring Software: Programs 

that allow a parent or caregiver to 

monitor the websites a child visits 

or email messages he or she reads, 

without blocking access.

Netiquette: The informal rules 

of Internet courtesy, enforced 

exclusively by other Internet users.

Network: A group of two or 

more computers that are able to 

communicate with one another.

Online Profiling: Compiling 

information about consumers’ 

preferences and interests by tracking 

their online movements and actions 

to create targeted ads.

 

Operating System: The main 

program that runs on a computer. 

An operating system allows other 

software to run and prevents 

unauthorized users from accessing 

the system. Major operating systems 

include UNIX, Windows, MacOS, and 

Linux.

Opt-in: When a user explicitly 

permits a website to collect, use, or 

share his or her information.

Opt-out: When a user expressly 

requests that his or her information 

not be collected, used and/or shared. 

Sometimes a user’s failure 

to “opt-out” is interpreted as 

“opting in.”

P2P, Peer-to-Peer: An informal 

network that allows users to share 

music, games, software, or other files 

with other users online.

Parental Controls: Tools that allow 

parents to prevent their children from 

accessing certain Internet content 

they might find inappropriate.

Patches/ Software Patches: Software 

updates that fix a particular problem 

or vulnerability within a program. 

Personal Information: Information 

that can identify you, like your bank 

and credit card account numbers; 

your income; your Social Security 

number; or your name, address, and 

phone numbers.

Pharming: Similar in nature to e-mail 

phishing, pharming seeks to obtain 

personal or private (usually financial 

related) information through domain 

spoofing. 

Phishing: A scam that involves 

Internet fraudsters who send spam 

or pop-up messages to lure personal 

information (credit card numbers, 

bank account information, Social 

Security number, passwords, or 

other sensitive information) from 

unsuspecting victims.

Pop-up Messages or Ads: Unsolicited 

advertising that appears as its own 

browser window.

RAM: Shorthand for “Random Access 

Memory,” it’s the hardware inside 

your computer that retains memory 

on a short-term basis and stores 

information while you work.

Router: A device that connects two 

or more networks. A router finds the 

best path for forwarding information 

across the networks.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL): A protocol 

used to transmit sensitive data, like 

credit card information, securely via 

the Internet. 

Social Networking Sites: Websites 

that allow users to build online 

profiles; share information, including 

personal information, photographs, 

blog entries, and music clips; and 

connect with other users.

Sock Puppet: A secret alias used by a 

member of an Internet community, 

but not acknowledged by that 

person.

Software: A computer program 

with instructions that enable the 

computer hardware to work. System 

software – such as Windows or 

MacOS – operates the machine itself, 

and application software – such as 

spreadsheet or word processing 

programs – provides specific 

functionality.

Spam: Unsolicited commercial email, 

often sent in bulk.

Spam Zombies: Home computers 

that have been taken over by 

spammers who then use them to 

send spam in a way that hides the 

true origin.

Spammer: Someone who sends 

unsolicited commercial email, often 

in bulk. 

Spoofing: Forging an e-mail header 

or Web addresses to make it appear 

as if the message or website came 

from somewhere or someone other 

than the actual source. 

Spyware: A software program that 

may be installed on your computer 

without your consent to monitor 

your use, send pop-up ads, redirect 

your computer to certain websites, or 

record keystrokes, which could lead to 

identity theft.

Trojans: Programs that, when 

installed on your computer, enable 

unauthorized people to access it and 

sometimes to send spam from it.

Upload: To copy or send files or data 

from one computer to another.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The 

address for a webpage, such as www.

ftc.gov.

Virus: A program that can sneak onto 

your computer – often through an 

email attachment – and then make 

copies of itself, quickly using up all 

available memory.

VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol): A 

category of hardware and software 

that lets you use the Internet as the 

transmission medium for telephone 

calls.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA): A 

security protocol developed to fix 

flaws in WEP. Encrypts data sent to 

and from wireless devices within a 

network.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP): A 

security protocol that encrypts data 

sent to and from wireless devices 

within a network. Not as strong as 

WPA encryption.

Wireless Network: A method of 

connecting a computer to other 

computers or to the Internet 

without cables.

World Wide Web: An Internet 

system, which distributes graphical, 

hyperlinked information through a 

browser.

Worm: A program that reproduces 

itself over a network and can use 

up your computer’s resources and 

possibly shut your system down.

Zombies: Home computers that have 

been taken over by spammers, who 

then use them to send spam in a way 

that hides the true origin.
Visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov/quiz

to test your knowledge about safe computing.