How to Protect Yourself Against Online Scams

The constant barrage of spam emails and barely-legitimate advertising on the Internet can make it seem like everyone's out to trick you, and a pretty substantial proportion of those people actually are. Computers have brought many conveniences into our lives, but they've also made it easier for scammers, confidence tricksters and criminals to get their hooks in as well, often protected by the veil of online anonymity we're all afforded online.

The best way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim is to be prepared. That's why we've compiled this list of scams, tricks and traps that you might encounter because of your computer, whether online or offline. To give you a fighting chance, we'll also explain the strategies you can use and preventative measures you can take to ensure that your computer - and the personal information kept on it - remains as far away from the eyes of the scammers as is possible.