Thursday, July 31, 2008

Benefits of free classifieds advertising

  • The main benefit of free classified advertising is that this gives very quick targeted traffic. While other methods like SEO takes long time.
  • Another benefit is that it is free hence there is no or minimum expense. So suitable for most small business.
  • Free classifieds advertising may be outsourced to an ad posting agency.
  • It also helps in SEO to some extent.
  • Free classifieds advertising is the best method to get geographically targeted traffic.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Protect Yourself agaist Fraudulent Emails pretending to be from PayPal

Have you ever received emails which seems to be sent from PayPal and asking you to login into your PayPal account by clicking on an link? Such fraudulent emails are very common. Purpose of such emails is to steal your login information. You can avoid the trap if you become a bit conscious. Before clicking on a link see to which website it is pointing to. Fraudulent emails will point the link to other site rather than paypal.com

Following are some tips to stay safe (taken from PayPal.com):
  • Safe Log In: To log in to your PayPal account or access the PayPal website, open a new web browser (e.g., FireFox) and type in the following: https://www.paypal.com/
  • Generic greeting: Many spoof emails begin with a general greeting, such as: "Dear PayPal member" or "Dear PayPal User". Emails from PayPal will address you by your first and last name or the business name associated with your PayPal account.
  • Email Attachments: PayPal emails will never ask you to download an attachment or a software program. Attachments contained in fraudulent emails often contain viruses that may harm your computer or compromise your PayPal account. Don't open any attachment sent from an unknown source.
  • Request for Personal Information: If paypal requires information from you, paypal will notify you in an email and request that you enter the information only after you have safely and securely logged in to your PayPal account.
  • A false sense of urgency: Most spoof emails try to deceive you with the threat that your account is in jeopardy if you don't update it ASAP.
  • Fake links: The text in a link may attempt to look valid, then send you to a spoof address. Always check where a link is going before you click. Move your mouse over it and look at the URL in your browser or email status bar. If the link looks suspicious, don't click on it. And be aware that a fake link may even have the word "PayPal" in it.

    Often, fraudulent emails will request details such as your full name, account password, credit card number, bank account, PIN number, Social Security Number, or mother's maiden name.
If you think that you have received a fraudulent email (or fake website), you should forward the email to spoof@paypal.com and then delete the email from your mailbox. Never click any links or attachments in a suspicious email.
Learn more ways to spot spoof

Read PayPal's 10 ways to recognize fake (spoof) emails now.

Steps to take to prevent spoof from affecting you
  • Keep your security software current.
  • Monitor your account. Check your account periodically to see if there is any suspicious activity.
  • Change your password often.
  • Use a unique password. A good password contains letters and numbers. This makes it more difficult for people to guess it.
  • Your information is compromised, get a fraud alert placed on your credit report.