Internet Safety: Fixing Issues

FIXING ISSUES

 

SPYWARE & VIRUSES

To learn about what Spyware and Viruses are and how to protect against them, visit our security page here. 

If you believe (or you have been told) that your computer is infected with Spyware or Viruses, you should immediately stop using the internet and any software that requires you to use a login and password.  Make sure that your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date and scan your computer with it.  Delete all the programs that it tells you are suspicious.

If your computer has become too infected by viruses and spyware it is possible that your computer will have to be restored to a previous date when it was not infected or your hard drive will have to be wiped completely of all files to clean the viruses and spyware from all your files.  Wiping your drive is the only surefire way to know that all of the files are clean.

 

SPAM & PHISHING

To learn about what Phishing is and how to protect against it, visit our security page here. 

 

You can report spam and phishing emails to:

CableOne

For those who use CableOne's email services, there is a built-in spam filter but if you are receiving phishing and spam emails you can forward them to abuse@cableone.net.  

Windstream

For those who use Windstream's email services, there is a built-in spam filter but if you are receiving phishing and spam emails you can forward them to reportspam@windstream.net.   

Gmail

For those who use Gmail's email services, there is a built-in spam filter but if you are receiving phishing and spam emails you can follow the instructions on this page to report these emails. 

Yahoo!

For those who use Yahoo's email services, there is a built-in spam filter but if you are receiving phishing and spam emails you can follow the instructions on this page to report these emails.

 

IDENTITY THEFT & FRAUD

If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately to file a complaint. 

The FTC recommends you follow these steps:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit.  Contact one of the three reporting companies listed below.  By doing this it can help prevent an identity thief from opening more accounts with your information.

  •  Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
  • Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; PO Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
  • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289;  www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

2. Close accounts that you believe have been tampered with or fraudulently opened.
3. File a complaint with the FTC here.
4. File a police report with your local police department or wherever the identity theft took place.

 

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