Some Quick Security Goodies:

Five Ways to Protect against Identity Theft

1. The next time you order checks, have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name. Your bank will know.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers.

4. Don't list any telephone number. You can always write it on the check at the time of the transaction. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address or your work address.

5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Store in a secure place and refresh it when you change cards.

If you get up from your computer, lock it!

"I sent an email to your boss letting him know what you really think of him". This Notepad message was on my screen when I got back to my cubicle after getting up to stretch my legs. What? I had been gone for 180 seconds -- three quick minutes. Lucky for me, the note turned out to be from our systems administrator who wanted to make a point. All it takes is about one minute for a disgruntled colleague to send a message on your behalf to the boss and there is no way for you to prove you didn't send it. In about 30 seconds, a cracker could install a keystroke logger to capture everything you type including company secrets, user names and passwords. In about 15 seconds, a passerby could delete all your documents. Locking is easy. . . simply press the “Windows” key in the lower left row of keys and the “L” key simultaneously and you are locked.

See just how "Security Aware" you really are

Do you believe you're a little more Security Aware? Can you identify the threats that exist in your environment and the steps you should take to avoid them? Take the following quizzes and find out.

· Phishing http://www.onguardonline.gov/quiz/phishing_quiz.html
· Spyware http://www.onguardonline.gov/quiz/spyware_quiz.html
· Identity Theft http://www.onguardonline.gov/quiz/idtheft_quiz.html
· Social Networking http://www.onguardonline.gov/quiz/socialnetworking_quiz.html