MICHIGAN TIPS ON PREVENTING DATA AND COMPUTER THEFT Is a New Computer on Your Wish List?: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance:

Is a New Computer on Your Wish List?
Tuesday December 12, 11:30 am ET
Take Care the e-Grinch Doesn't Steal Your ID During the Holiday

TROY, Mich., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Is a new computer on your holiday gift list?

While prices for new laptops and PCs are at record lows, the cost of data and identity theft from stolen, lost or replaced computers is as high as ever.

Here are 10 tips from Econ Global Services, a leading IT information management firm in Troy, Mich., that could prevent the e-Grinch from robbing you of the joys of the season and your new computer.

1. Install a good antivirus program and firewall to thwart computer
hackers, spyware, viruses and other threats.
2. Register for the automatic updates, immediately.
3. Never open attachments or click on links from unknown senders.
4. Disconnect the computer from the network when not in use.
5. Routinely back up data onto a removable medium or sign up for a backup

service.
6. Check for the padlock icon when shopping online to ensure secure
ordering.
7. Never respond to unsolicited links. Provide information only when
absolutely necessary.

8.  When off to visit Grandmother or traveling to other destinations, make

      sure your laptop is always in sight.
  9.  During visits to an Internet cafe or other unprotected wireless zones,

      never transmit sensitive information or make credit card purchases
      exposing your bank account, Social Security number or passwords to
      identity thieves.
  10. Remove data from an older computer even if it is going to a friend or
      relative. If trashing it, remove the hard drive and install it in the
      new computer or just save it for some future use.

Econ Global Services is a privately held, socially conscious knowledge management company that applies technology and innovation to align customers' Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with their business goals. With headquarters in Troy, Mich., and offices in Chennai, India, Econ supports customer locations in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.