Citizen Resources

• Use anti-virus and separate anti-spyware software, and keep them up to date.
• Do not open emails or attachments from unknown sources. Be suspicious of any attachments—even if it appears to be from someone you know.
• Use hard-to-guess passwords and keep them private.
• Update all your software regularly to ensure that you get security updates. Check monthly or more often.
• Back up your computer files frequently.

• Adjust the privacy settings on social networking sites you frequent to make it more difficult for people you know and do not know to post content to your page. Even a friend can unknowingly pass on multimedia that’s malicious software.
• Do not download software to view videos. These applications can infect your computer.
• Read emails you receive carefully. Fraudulent messages often feature misspellings, poor grammar, and nonstandard English.
• Report emails you receive that purport to be from the FBI. Criminals often use the FBI’s name and seal to add legitimacy to their fraudulent schemes. The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails to the public. Should you receive unsolicited messages that feature the FBI’s name, seal, or that reference a division or unit within the FBI or an individual employee, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

If you suspect that an email or text message you received is a phishing attempt:

• Do not open it. In some cases, the act of opening the phishing email may cause you to compromise the security of your Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Delete it immediately to prevent yourself from accidentally opening the message in the future.
• Do not download any attachments accompanying the message. Attachments may contain malware such as viruses, worms or spyware.
• Never click links that appear in the message. Links embedded within phishing messages direct you to fraudulent websites.
• Do not reply to the sender. Ignore any requests the sender may solicit and do not call phone numbers provided in the message.
• Report it. Help others avoid phishing attempts:
  • Check if others in your contact list have also received a suspicious message.
  • Use the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Assistant if you have been phished.

If you receive a phone call that seems to be a phishing attempt:

• Hang up or end the call. Be aware that area codes can be misleading. If your Caller ID displays a local area code, this does not guarantee that the caller is local.
• Do not respond to the caller’s requests. Many companies, financial institutions and legitimate businesses will never call you to request your PII. Never give PII to the incoming caller.