Computer Safety is for Everyone!

Internet Storm Center Infocon Status

After participating in numerous discussion groups regarding use of the internet, we discovered something very surprising. Although Direct Link Local Community Connections is in the business of providing various forms of information and services via the internet, it is just recently we have come to understand that not all our users and visitors are aware of the many dangers of “surfing the net”. Because of this need, Direct Link Local Community Connections have created an online Internet Security Information Center. Here, we will give our users and visitors helpful tips and directions on how to prevent being “caught-up” in the various internet based scams, and what to do to protect your personal information and privacy.

 

attentionWhenever you are visiting any website, check the web address you typed in the address bar to ensure that you are looking at the correct site. (Your misspellings are one of the ways hackers can trick you into providing them with your personal information) 

CHECK THE URL to avoid accidently entering into a site that has been set up with the goal of planting a virus on your computer or obtaining your personal information.

 Understanding the "Colored" Address Bar in Internet Explorer version 7.

The colored Address Bar is designed to be a sign that a specific site can be trusted, giving people the green light to carry out transactions there. It is a weapon in the fight against phishing scams, which use fraudulent Web sites.

When you are just browsing around, and there is no need to enter sensitive / personal information, the Address Bar maintains a white background. Our example uses a snapshot of Direct Link Local's Web Site Address.

IE Address Bar

However, when you are about to enter sensitive information, the background color of the Address Bar changes based on the information available about the identity of the website.

For instance, when you are visitng a site that has not supplied identity information, the background color of the Address Bar remains white, but a small "lock" appears in the far right corner. In our example, you see a snapshot of Wells Fargo's Online Banking Web Address. Please look at the address bar very careful, where you will see that the web address has slightly changed. The beginning of the address has changed from http: to https. The "s" indicates that you are entering into a secure transaction. To find out a little more about this site's security, click on the "lock", and a popup window will apppear with more detailed information.

proceed with caution

And then when you are visitng a site that has supplied identify information, the background color of the Address Bar turns green and a small "lock" appears in the far right corner. In our example, you see a snapshot of PayPal's Web Address. Again, please note that the web address has slightly changed. The beginning of the address begins with https and not http:. As with the above example, the "s" indicates that you are entering into a secure transaction. To find out a little more about this site's security, click on the "lock", and a popup window will apppear with more detailed information.

secure go proceed

To find out more information about Internet Explorer’s Security Status Bar, click here.

If you are using Firefox or Netscape, you can download an “Add-in” that gives those browsers the same security indicators (colored address bar) as Internet Explorer. Click here for more information.

Should you go to a site and the Address Bar turns REDDISH / PINK or YELLOW
DO NOT PROCEED!!!!!
SUCH SITES ARE UNSECURE AND POSES A THREAT TO YOUR COMPUTER

attention It is never a good practice to open emails you are not expecting or those that are from people you do not know.  Especially if they contain attachments!