When an email from an unknown sender arrives in an inbox, chances are it’s nothing more than harmless spam. There is a chance, however, that the seemingly harmless mail is actually rather dangerous for a computer, its data and even its owner.

The truth is email is one of the quickest and most effective ways for bad guys with malicious intentions to gain access to a computer and information about the people who happen to own and operate that machine.  People are, after all, curious by nature. If a subject line is intriguing, they will open unsolicited mail. If a link to an outside site is present, they might even click on it. Or, if there’s an attachment, the right wording can entice the recipient into downloading it.

So, how can an email actually translate to danger if the wrong one is opened and acted upon? Here are just some of the things unsolicited emails might contain:

• Viruses, Trojans and other forms of malware – If an unknown email contains an attachment – even a Word document – opening it can lead to the introduction of potentially harmful viruses onto a machine. Even files like documents and Excel spreadsheets can harbor potentially damaging bits of programming. Worms that infiltrate a machine, keyloggers that track personal information, spyware and more might be contained. The consequences can range from a simple computer slowdown to a potentially devastating deletion of data. Even worse, malware attached to an email might give the “bad guys” access to bank accounts, social security numbers and more.
• Links to phishing websites – Unsolicited emails might also be sent out by those who are interested in “phishing.” This means casting a line to try and get people to “bite” by handing over their personal information, bank account numbers and more. These sites might appear to be completely legitimate, but they are designed to get users to willingly hand over their information.

How To Protect Against Email Attacks

To make sure problems with unsolicited emails don’t escalate into an identity theft or viral attack, it’s important to:

• Delete unknown emails without opening them – This is one of the best lines of defense. If an email arrives from an unknown source, simply delete it. Don’t open it. Don’t click on links. Don’t download any attachments.
• Use virus protections – Programs such as Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security will protect against incoming viruses and even help ensure that emails that contain potential threats get blocked on time.

Protecting against email attacks is feasible. It just takes exercising commonsense and backing it up with virus protections. Here is more about best email security practices.

Con artists have been operating practically since history began. They have long preyed upon the innocent to help them pull off their nefarious schemes. In doing so, the bad guys may even use innocent people to do some of the dirty work for them. This, in turn, transforms an unknowing person into a participant in the scheme.

One of the most common ways the bad guys pull this off is by targeting victims to serve as their “money mules.” This practice has long been used and has even been adapted to the online world.

Money mules are simply people who transfer items or money that scammers steal to other locations. They might courier the goods, ship them or make electronic transfers. In performing these transfers, the money mule serves as the immediate target for law enforcement investigations. The act also helps obscure the actual scammer’s identity.

In many cases, money mules – especially those recruited online – are acting in what they believe is good faith. Some believe they have landed legitimate jobs as “shippers,” “transfer agents” or “processors.” What they don’t know is that the goods they receive or the money they transfer is actually taken from the victims of identity theft. These mules may even receive true compensation for their time and effort.

The Problems For Victims

For a con artist’s scheme to pay off, the money mule must believe he or she is doing an actual job within the boundaries of the law. The problem is, of course, that they aren’t. Many investigations into identity theft lead police directly to a mule’s doorstep. Even though that person is innocent of known wrongdoing, he or she may have a very difficult time explaining that to law enforcement.

Protecting Against These Schemes

Work-at-home schemes have become very popular in recent years. The Internet has made it very easy for people to perform very legitimate working tasks from the comfort of their own homes. It has also enabled scammers to really branch out. To protect against becoming a victim of this type of scheme, make sure to:

• Vet all job opportunities carefully – Before signing on to perform a job that’s been obtained online or off, take the time to vet the employer. Check on the background, contact the Better Business Bureau and really stop to consider the options.
• Never pay for a job – If an “opportunity” calls for a personal payment from the employee to get started, be very wary. Legitimate employers do not typically charge their employees anything in advance of employment.
• Be wary of spam emails – Phishing emails may promise the moon and the stars, but will deliver only heartache. If an email doesn’t seem legitimate, be very cautious. To help prevent phishing emails from getting into an inbox, be sure to use protection programs, such as those produced by Norton, to filter them out.

Money mules are often innocent victims in identity theft schemes. There are ways for people to protect themselves from becoming victimized. Taking the right steps can save a lot of trouble down the road.

Voice communication over the Internet is nothing new. Companies such as Vonage have provided its customers with home-based Voice over Internet Protocol service for years, the perfect replacement for traditional land-line based telephone service. But what if someone wants to take that service on the road?

If that’s the case, Vonage also offers V-Phone, a great service for people who are able to stay connected while on the go. The V-Phone is no bigger than a typical USB stick drive, largely in part because it is a USB stick drive. It works on any computer that runs on a Windows operating system (preferably Windows XP or higher) and has a broadband high speed Internet connection.

How Vonage V-Phone Works

The V-Phone comes with the USB stick drive and a stereo earpiece microphone adapter. The stereo microphone plugs directly into the stick drive. (It’s also compatible with any 2.5 mm microphone headset.) Together, these two parts are all that’s needed to talk.

The V-Phone plugs directly into any USB port without having to reboot the computer. Also, the stick drive is completely self-contained with all the software needed, which means that software or drivers do not have to be loaded onto a computer. This is great for using the system on public computers. Also, the V-Phone can safely be removed without having to shut down the computer as well.

The USB stick drive also contains 250 MB of free space, great for a business traveler who needs to carry data for a presentation.

Vonage V-Phone Interface

After the V-Phone is plugged in and the computer recognizes the hardware and software, a window will appear with the user interface through the Vonage Talk system. The main tab of the window is a numerical key pad, which allows the user to dial the V-Phone.

The next tab is the Contacts tab, which allows the user to select from one of the people in their address book. The other tab is the History tab, which allows users to view past calls.

The service also allows for incoming calls. If the V-Phone isn’t online at the time someone tries to call, then the call will just go to voicemail. Other features include call waiting, call forwarding, and caller ID.

This is a great device for people who travel frequently or are planning an extended stay abroad. With a great monthly rates, it gives portable convenience that many cell phones may not be able to match. Nothing better than making long distance or international calls from remote location via Vonage World plan which includes bunch of the countries and starts from 1 cent per minute for many other.