[Vartigy]

Couple of security tips with money.

Need cash? Take it out through an eftpos transaction at your local Woolworths or Coles.


Security questions.
Not all institutions allow you to create your own questions. But the method which I will explain here can also be used for those 'set' questions.
We all know that banks and other institutions ask you to select 1-5 "secret/security" questions and provide an answer for them.
Some allow you to create your own as well.

If you get the chance to create your own, I highly recommend doing it.
Avoid the normal questions with blatantly correct answers i.e.:
Where do you live? - Koonarabarin
What is your favorite colour? - Mauve
What is your pets name? - Hogswash
etc

I recommend creating your own questions about something completely unique in your life with an answer that is directly indirect.
For example.
What is your favorite AFL team? - MCG.
Truthfully, your fav team may be Melb Demons, but you don't provide the answer as that. But the question is enough to jolt your mind towards your false positive answer. The MCG, home of the Melb Demons.
Other examples can include:
What is your special/fav number? - Eighteen
Note that most people would provide the numerical answer instead of a literal answer.
Where did I first live? - 3 x 2 or Thompsons or Blue.
3x2 would jolt your memory that your first house was a 3bed 2 bathroom?
Maybe your next door neighbours were the Thompson family.
Or maybe your house was painted bright blue.

A few examples of high security personalised questions include:
First computer game? - pick one that was sentimental, first one you completed?
My amount collected? - instead of having a number, have your answer as the 'type' of collection, a particular comic? card? coasters? matches... whatever.
Create a completely silly riddle that will only make sense to you. Something that will bring a smile to you upon hearing it and you'll be able to answer it easily.

As I said before, this method can also be used in those 'preset' questions.
Mother's maiden name? - does she have a nickname? can use that.
First pet name? - name the breed of animal.

Remember, Indirectly Direct answers.

Internet Banking.

If you don't have anti-virus software, spyware detectors/cleaners or general malware deterrent software installed on your computer.
Find some.
These days it's essential to at least have some basic protection.
Letting your unprotected system take a stroll through the WWW is as harmful as letting an unvaccinated youth swim in a diseased third world sewage laden waterway.

There are the obvious choices for antivirus protection (norton, mcafee etc). But there are some really good bits of antivirus kit out there that is much cheaper, less restrictive on your system, but does a top job at protecting you all the same.
Some names to mention are AVG, Eset Nod32 (aussie owned and run I believe).

If you are unsure at any time about computer safety and security, most ISProviders in Aust have a 24hr support team that is more than willing to answer/assist you with your systems. Afterall, it's in their best interest that your internet experience is conducted safe and hassle free (means more business for them).

Hope that helps.