I want to have my own website… Can you help me?

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September 16th, 2010 - Posted by Kent

The following is an actual user-submitted question:

Q: I want to have my own website… Can you help me?

A: It's really not such a daunting task, just take it one step at a time:

1. The first step to having your own web site is to sign up for web hosting. Web hosting is like real estate for the web: you need some place to put your site. To figure out which web host is right for you, think about your needs, and your experience level. You may want to start with a web host that's particularly good for beginners, such as Yahoo!'s Small Business hosting; don't let the name fool you, it's a great choice for businesses or individuals.
2. You'll also need to think of a good domain name. You'll choose this when you sign up for web hosting.
3. Once you sign up for web hosting and have chosen a domain name, you'll need a web site design. You can design it yourself using online tools provided by the web hosts, or you can pay someone to design it for you. A good beginning step is to put a WordPress blog at your domain. This is easily done via your web host's control panel.

That's basically it. Check out our web hosting reviews and comparisons to see which web host will best suit your needs.

The Free FICO Score is Back

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September 14th, 2010 - Posted by Erik

We get a lot of questions to the tune of "How can I get my FICO score for free"?  For a while there, the answer was "You can't."  Not any more.  myFICO.com is once again giving you a free FICO score when you sign up a for a 10-day free trial of Score Watch, their FICO score monitoring service.  If you decide you don't want to keep the service, just cancel before the 10-day trial is over.  The FICO score and detailed Score Power report, which includes your latest FICO score, your latest Equifax credit report, a FICO Score Simulator that estimates what your score would be if you took certain actions, as well as a full explanation of factors affecting your credit score, are all yours to keep for free.

We think the Score Watch service is a nice value for those interested in their FICO score, so many folks will want to pay the $12.95 per month to keep the service. It will give you an alert and updated score any time your Equifax credit report changes, so you will always know your most up-to-date Equifax FICO score. For more details, see our myFICO review.  For ways to get other types of credit scores for free and to see how myFICO compares, check out our credit monitoring section.

How do identity theft protection services protect my social security number?

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September 14th, 2010 - Posted by Tasha

Q:  How do identity theft protection services protect my social security number?

A: A number of our top reviewed identity theft protection services help protect your social security number from fraudulent usage, including Identity Guard and Trusted ID.  Both of these services monitor the Internet and public records for inappropriate use of your SSN.  If they see anything suspicious, they will alert you.  In the unlikely circumstance you become a victim of identity theft while enrolled with their program, you have complete access to their identity theft recovery teams. These identity theft professionals will assist you in restoring your identity.

Identity Guard and Trusted ID also monitor for fraudulent use of other personal information, such as your credit cards and bank account numbers.   In addition, they both provide daily monitoring of your credit reports at all 3 credit bureaus, along with other goodies like free computer software.  All-in-all, we highly recommend them because they offer a full arsenal of protection at a reasonable price.

Norton enlists Dolph Lundgren, Kimbo Slice, and David Hasselhof to promote antivirus

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September 14th, 2010 - Posted by Kent

You've got to hand it to Symantec, they're making an effort to make Internet security software exciting. Yes, Norton Internet Security 2011 comes with a dynamic real-world threat mapping system, but it may be Norton's new commercials which are generating the most buzz. They feature tough guys Dolph Lundgren, Kimbo Slice, David Hasselhof, and even the heavy metal band Dokken, as anthropomorphized computer threats. Accurate representations of the inter workings of Internet security software? Not exactly. Entertaining? Definitely. Watch the commercials below, and then check out our review of Norton Internet Security 2011 to find out how it really works.

Norton Internet Security 2011 review

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September 10th, 2010 - Posted by Kent

Norton Internet security 2011

We've just finished our Norton Internet Security 2011 review. After spending some time with the program, we have to say we're pretty pleased. Norton has made some thoughtful additions to its popular security suite including a Facebook scanner, a malware eraser for stubborn scareware programs, and a url checker that's built into the Norton interface. It's very slick, and we have to admit we're big fans of its shiny new interface. Norton makes a truly comprehensive suite of tools that will not overwhelm users, but will still provide essential information for the enthusiast. To read our full review, and to see how it compares with other Internet security software programs, check out our Norton Internet Security 2011 review.

"Here You Have" worm wrecks havoc

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September 10th, 2010 - Posted by Kent

Symantec is tracking a new email-based worm that is causing problems all across the Internet. According to Symantec's site, the worm, also known as w32.imsolk.b@mm, spreads via infected email attachments:

The threat arrives via e-mail asking the recipient to click on a link embedded in the e-mail. This link points to a malicious program file disguised as a PDF file. When the user clicks on this link, their computer instantly downloads and launches the malicious file. This process installs the worm onto the victim’s computer without the user knowing!

According to an ABC news report, "organizations including NASA, Comast, AIG, Disney, and the Florida Department of Transportation" have all been impacted. Since the virus propagates itself when users open the infected PDF, it can easily scale out-of-control, creating a cascading effect by jamming mail servers. A report from McAfee suggests that the attachment may also appear as a .wmv file. According to Symantec, the worm can actually disable many antivirus products, though the company claims its own Norton Internet security software is immune.

Of course, all this could be avoided if computer users would do two things:

A) Avoid clicking links sent via email, particularly when those files promise free sex movies. Pay close attention to the context of the email and think, really think if it's something you just have to see.

B) Use a trusted Internet security product and keep it up to date. If you're not paying a yearly subscription to keep it up to date, you're asking for trouble. We've reviewed many Internet security software suites on our site. Take a look. Get protected.

Where to get The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest audiobook and other best sellers

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September 9th, 2010 - Posted by Kent

Wondering which audiobook service has the most of the current best sellers? Steig Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest again tops the New York Times Bestseller list, as well as Audible.com's audiobook bestseller list. If you're the type who tends to read the nation's most popular fiction, you'll need an audiobook service that carries those titles. Here's a rundown, using the titles in the New York Times Bestseller list:

1. THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, by Stieg Larsson
2. THE POSTCARD KILLERS, by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
3. SPIDER BONES, by Kathy Reichs
4. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
5. BEARERS OF THE BLACK STAFF (LEGENDS OF SHANNARA), by Terry Brooks

Audible.com: Has each of the above bestsellers and with its introductory plan of $7.49 per month (for 3 months and then $14.95 after that), it's a pretty good value. With this plan you get one book per month.

Booksfree: Has them all for rent on CD. While the cost is $22.49 per month, you get a two-week free trial, and as soon as you're done with one title, you can send it back and get another.

eMusic: eMusic has all of the titles with the exception of Bearers of the Black Staff. However, its monthly cost of $9.95 per month (or $7.99 per month if paid for the entire year), makes it a very good bargain.

Simply Audiobooks: The hybrid MP3 download and CD rental service has each title on CD, but only the top three (The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Spider Bones, and The Postcard Killers) for download. It's a much cheaper rental service, at $14.95 per month, though shipping was a bit slower when we tried it out.

iTunes: You can get these titles individually through Apple's iTunes store, and without a subscription, but they'll cost you a lot more. With a combined cost of $112.75 for five books, you'll do much better with a subscription service. With Audible you get 12 books for $149.50 and eMusic will cost you only $95.99.

Check out our Audiobook download and rental comparisons and reviews for a complete rundown on all the details.

eHarmony Free Communication Weekend 9/3 – 9/6

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September 3rd, 2010 - Posted by Tasha

Today through Monday (9/3 – 9/6) you can join eHarmony and communicate with matches for free.  And when they say "free", they mean it.  You don't even need to provide a credit card, and there is absolutely no obligation.  So go ahead and give it a spin – you never know who you might meet!

Poor money mule not so poor

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September 3rd, 2010 - Posted by Robert Siciliano

Robert Siciliano is a NextAdvisor.com Expert Guest Blogger

“Money mules” may be unsuspecting Americans who act as shipping managers, do the dirty work for the bad guy, and open bank accounts, too. Sometimes the mule may be a foreigner, traveling to the United States specifically to open bank accounts.

Mules often get hooked into a “small business” or employment that is a function of a criminal enterprise. The mules often respond to “help wanted” ads from online job placement sites. Shipping scams are a common tactic criminals use to employ mules to receive goods bought with stolen credit card numbers, who then ship to people who buy them in online auctions. The mules in this process are essentially facilitating selling hot goods and money laundering.

The mules are often baited into setting up bank accounts that the criminal controls. These bank accounts will be set up under the name of the mule, and are generally programmed to transfer money overseas in increments of less than $10,000 to avoid detection.

Most mules end up pulling money out of their pockets to front shipping costs with the promise of a big payoff. In the end, the mule is often bilked and ends up with an empty bank account.

But not this mule, who was arrested and sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for sending more than $860,000 to offshore online scammers. He was caught after a sheriff's deputy became suspicious during a traffic stop. They found eleven cell phones, fake IDs, $53,200 in cash, and 76 Western Union receipts. This ain’t no poor unsuspecting mule. This guy knew exactly what he was doing.

“He admitted accepting and cashing wire transfers from online shoppers for vehicles, boats, motorcycles and vehicle trailers, then sending that money to Romania or Spain in small amounts to make detection less likely. The items for sale did not actually exist.”

To ensure peace of mind, subscribe to an identity theft protection service. For additional tips, please visit http://www.counteridentitytheft.com

See Robert Siciliano discuss money mules and job scams on Fox News.

Robert Siciliano is CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, an identity theft expert, professional speaker, security analyst, published author and television news correspondent. Siciliano works with Fortune 1000 companies and startups as an advisor on product launches, branding, messaging, representation, SEO and media. Siciliano's thoughts and advice on all these matters appear often in both the televised and print news media including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, Forbes and USA Today. He has 25 years of security training as a member of the American Society of Industrial Security. He is the author of two books, including The Safety Minute: Living on High Alert; How to take control of your personal security and prevent fraud. He's also partnered with McAfee to help raise awareness about the growing threat of identity theft and to provide tips on how you can protect yourself.

iTunes Ping privacy: Part 2

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September 3rd, 2010 - Posted by Kent

Yesterday we looked at the privacy settings of Apple's new social networking product Ping. One thing that we didn't discuss is how Ping handles usernames. It turns out that it handles them somewhat badly. Your Ping username is tied to to your account, meaning your actual first and last name. This name will replace the username you used previously, meaning any reviews you many have made anonymously before now, will display your first and last name.

So, why not change your name? Well you can, and we did. Then we made a purchase. We're now waiting to see if our credit card transaction can go through for a "Mr. Music Guy." Stay tuned…

UPDATE: So far our pseudonym hasn't caused us any problems. We were successfully billed for our music purchases. If using your real first and last name on Ping are a concern for you, try changing them.