StechUSA.com

Learn how to protect yourself from, Spammers, Hackers, and Scammers.

High Tech Criminals are always coming up with new, ways to steal your credit card numbers, passwords and other vital information. Learn from us on how to spot fake emails and or Web sites and protect yourself against these thieves.

How to Verify that you are at an StechUSA.com Website

  LOOK FOR the Padlock

Look for the padlock in the bottom right corner of Internet Explorer 6.0, or the top right corner of your address bar in FireFox and Internet Explorer 7.0. Double-click the padlock to see a virtual certificate which will verify the name and identity of the Web site.

  LOOK FOR SSL Security

At the bottom of each of our Web pages, you'll see this image. Click on this certificate to verify that the domain belongs to the company listed and that company's certificate is valid.

How to Spot Email Scammers

One of the most popular scams is called "phishing" or "pharming" and it works like this:

When an email is designed to appear or look like it’s coming from a well-known and respected Web site, such as StechUSA.com. The email states that there’s a problem with your account and tells you to click on a link within the email to update your Personal Customer Information. When you click on the link, you’re taken to a Look-a-like Web page, again designed to look like the official site, where any information you enter goes directly to the criminals who set it all up. We have provided some tips on what to look for:

1. Where does the link take you? Fake emails usually hide the actual Web address within a linked phrase like "Click here" or "Log in". To be safe, always type the Web site address into your browser and log in from there.

2. Does the email ask you for information? Fake emails will ask you to reply with your Personal Customer information or to fill it into spaces provided within the email. Beware of any email that asks you to provide:

Debit or Credit Card Numbers Email Addresses Bank Account Numbers Birth Dates Social Security Numbers Your Full Name Driver’s License Numbers

3. Is the Web page secure? Any time you're asked to give personal information online, the Web address should begin with "https:". The "s" stands for "secure" and is your key to knowing your information is protected.

4. Is the email addressed to you personally? Many phishers send fake emails that use generic greetings, such as "Dear Customer" or "Dear Sir/Madam." Official StechUSA.com emails are personalized with the name you gave us when you registered.

5. Does the email read well? Fake emails are often littered with misspellings, poor grammar, etc. These mistakes actually help them avoid spam filters, but they should be a dead give-away that they are not from the real StechUSA.com. All our emails are written with care and proofread by industry professionals.

6. Is the page a 'pop-up'? Fake emails and Web sites will use pop-up windows to collect information. Pop up windows appear without any action on your part and have no address bar or navigation buttons. StechUSA.com will never ask you to provide information via a 'pop-up' (though we may occasionally use a pop-up to provide you with information).

7. Is there an attachment? Many fake emails will include an attachment that, if launched, could install spyware, launch a virus or more. StechUSA.com will never send you an attachment or software update via email.

Account Security and Password How to Protect it

Keeping unauthorized users from accessing your account is the first and most basic step in protecting your personal information. Here are a few tips on creating a strong password:

Make your password at least 8 characters long. Vary between upper and lower case letters. Include at least 1 number in your password, preferably in-between letters. Don’t use the same password for every site or login. Change your password every few months. Use acronyms or abbreviations instead of common names of family members, pets, sports teams, etc.

Weak Password: rsmith
Better Password: r0nsm1Th
Best Password: uPW2kmAs
(Acronym: ultimate PassWord to [2] keep my Account secure)