Avoiding Phishing, Spyware, and Malware

• Never open email from unknown sources.
• Never respond to a suspicious email or click on attachments or hyperlinks.
• Be very cautious of emails asking for personal or account information. Fraudulent and phishing emails often appear to be from a family member, friend or even your financial institution. White Sands FCU does not send emails asking for personal or account information.
• Install a firewall, preferably both software and hardware, to protect your computer.  More information on firewalls can be found here.
• Pay close attention to the URL (internet address) behind the link. Often in phishing attempts, if you place the cursor over the link the fraudsters want you to click on, it has nothing to do with the actual company they claim to be.
• Use an anti-virus program.