Now, it is unfortunate I have to post an article on this topic, but far too many people are getting scammed in our industry…and not by high-yield investment programs closing before they’re in profit. Far too many people are victims of other malicious scams where their money is stolen straight out of their e-currency accounts. I was prompted to write this article, and I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it, because I recently had my Liberty Reserve (LR) and Perfect Money (PM) accounts hacked and all the money in them stolen.

This proves to me that anyone can be a victim of a scammer, and how dangerous this industry can be to the naive, or uneducated. So here are some tips, and tools to use to protect yourself:

#1. You do have an anti-virus program running…don’t you?

If you don’t…get one now. If you don’t want to spend the money on one check out these free options (also mentioned in my DDoS Protection walkthrough):

• AVG Anti-Virus
• Microsoft Security Essentials

Both are great free options if you aren’t running a premium purchased anti-virus. I believe the Microsoft one requires a valid, licensed Windows OS to be running on the computer to work. Now you don’t have an excuse for not running an anti-virus program.

#2. Running an anti-virus program is NOT enough.

Ok, so you have an anti-virus program running now. That’s great, but if you think that because you have an up-to-date anti-virus program running on your computer, you’re safe…I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. Keeping an up-to-date anti-virus program running on your computer is one step in protecting yourself, but it’s unfortunately just not enough to keep your computer clean.

I’ve mentioned a couple of great programs briefly before in the DDoS Protection walkthrough I wrote:

• Ad-Aware
• Spybot S&D

Both Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D are programs that scan your computer for malware, malicious cookies, and other files that your anti-virus program may have missed. Both also have active-scans that notify you if something is trying to access your computer in a strange way, or if a file is doing things it shouldn’t be doing. So, if before you had only an anti-virus program running, you now have an anti-virus AND two other programs protecting you.

#3. Have Strong Passwords

Here’s one you really need to do. Use strong passwords. A strong password is at least 7 characters in length (I recommend 14) and uses both alpha and numeric characters AND uses symbols AND has alpha characters in both uppercase and lowercase. If you don’t understand or don’t want to come up with them yourself go here:

• Strong Password Generator

Some HYIPs and other websites don’t allow you to use symbols in the passwords (you’ll just have to test to see if they do as most don’t tell you), so there’s an option to turn them off in the above generator. Oh and since we’re talking about passwords:

#4. NEVER use the same password twice

ALWAYS use unique passwords for every site you register to. I know, I’m going to hear: “But I can’t remember that many passwords.” Here’s my advice: Quit being lazy. I’m giving you these tips because I was lazy and had my money stolen. Do you want to lose all your money? No? Then just do it and don’t complain. If you can’t remember all of your passwords write them down somewhere and keep them with you or put them away somewhere safe.

NEVER save your passwords to your computer. If you keep your passwords on a file on your computer or a USB drive you’re just handing them over to the scammer/hacker asking for them to steal your money. You may as well just send your money to some random account, or withdraw it and throw it out the window of your car as you drive to work.

#5. NEVER use your real information

This is one I bet more than a couple of you do wrong. Never use real information when registering to a HYIP. ALWAYS use made-up information. I put my first name Tony in as everyone knows it anyway, but other than that I keep my anonymity. My last name is HYIPBlogger. My address is “123 address,” state is “state,” zip code is “00000,” I live in whatever country I have a fancy for that day. My phone number is always “0000000000” I’ll add dashes if I have to.

Why you ask? Because you never know what a HYIP admin is going to do with your information, plus it’s just putting your personal information out there, making it that much easier for someone to commit identity theft and steal your money.

#6. Use a separate email account for HYIPs

That’s right, create a completely different email account to register to HYIPs with and only use it for registering to HYIPs. Never link this email account to any payment processor or bank account. In fact, don’t put this email account anywhere. Use it 100% only for registering with HYIPs. Oh and don’t have it be one of your internet service provider accounts or one of your website’s domain emails. Keep completely anonymous and set it up through a free email provider that doesn’t require you to verify any information.

Keeping anonymity will save you hassles in the long run. It won’t keep you from being able to be tracked (if some authority had the inclination), but it will eliminate the possibility of some HYIP admin misusing your information or stealing your identity.

#7. Change your passwords frequently

Another step about passwords? Are you getting the picture about how important they are yet? I recommend changing your passwords weekly, but at least do it every month. Take the time once a week while you’re logging into every account to change your passwords. This makes it so even if a hacker/scammer does end up accessing your information, it will hopefully change before damage can be done.

#8. Don’t open any emails you aren’t expecting

The number one way to get a virus, or a tracking program on your computer that sends all your passwords to a scammer/hacker is by opening an email and downloading an attachment. Or by clicking on a link that takes you to a site saying it needs a java update to run. Click that little guy without thinking and you’ll be opening your computer to any number of malicious programs seeking to steal your personal data.

You might be asking, “Why only 8 tips/suggestions instead of 10?” Well, After doing eight (8) I decided I’ve pretty much covered the major ways to protect yourself against the scammers in the industry. As it’s my goal only to provide you with useful information, I left the article as-is instead of going to lengths to find content to make it 10. So, if you have any questions or want to add anything. Please let me know.