Security

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Here at ComeToBuy Inc. we use all of the industry standard practices to assure the security of our websites. This includes SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology to encrypt data being transmitted between customers and our servers, as well as other standard techniques to secure our servers like hardware and software firewalls. Additionally, we employ an outside security consultant that we use for security audits.

This said, it is a constant battle to stay one step ahead of the bad guys who are becoming more sophisticated every day. In addition to what we can, and do, do to prevent the theft of data; there are several things that we always recommend people do to help protect themselves also:

Know your charges!
ALWAYS review credit card bills and checking account statements closely. Question any transactions that you are unsure of. Direct your credit card company to stop payment, or reverse transactions as quickly as possible. Remember that anyone that might call you about your credit card security will NEVER ask for your credit card number. If it is legitimately your credit card company, they were the one's who gave you that number in the first place.

Even computers get sick!
USE antivirus software. While most people think that they are using antivirus software, it is amazing how many people are not using it correctly. There are new viruses being written by the bad guys every day. If you are not updating your antivirus software very frequently, and running full virus scans on your computer(s) at least weekly you are at risk. Computer users should expect to pay a small fee for a one-year license and updates. Several links are available for more information:

Knowing your surfing habits!
USE pest prevention software. A pest is the collective term we use to describe non-viral malicious code like trojans, remote administration tools, hacker tools, spy ware and keyloggers. Such code can stealthily gain access to and hide on computer systems, bypassing traditional security measures such as anti-virus, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. Pests can allow unauthorized users to breach firewalls and access sensitive data by assuming the identity of authorized users. Several links for you to further research pest prevention are:

If they can't see you, they can't find you!
Consider using a PERSONAL FIREWALL product. Without a firewall, your computer is operating under an "open door" policy to allow access to your personal computer. Critical information available may include: bank account information, passwords, credit card numbers, documents and photos that you don't want to share with the world. They are all available to anyone with bad intentions and basic computer skills. Hackers can get in, take what they want, and even leave open a "back door" so they can turn your computer into a "zombie" and use it to attack other computers. Every minute that your computer is connected to the Internet, either through a dial-up (modem) connection or through a broadband (DSL or cable) service, it is at risk. Please visit one of these vendors for your firewall needs:

Windows updates?
Yes, Microsoft issues updates that can significantly improve your personal security. If you utilize a computer operating on a microsoft windows operating system, you should check for updates to your system. For the products that they continue to support, upgrades are avaialble at: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com If you have never done this, please check this out!

While all of these suggestions may seem extreme, the sad truth is that they are not. Of even more concern is that many people install these products, or products like them, and then don't keep them up-to-date by downloading the updates made available to them. Almost every day, a new virus, pest, or hacking technique is created. Every day that goes by that updates are not downloaded for these products, the risk of being a victim increases.