seal online

Justin Holmes
Monday, November 19, 2007
The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres fought throughout a pair of games with the Marathon Renegades here over the weekend to win just their second-ever series.
The Sabres kept pace with Marathon on Friday night, never trailing but needing an overtime frame to seal their 7-6 victory.
However, it was a much different story Saturday, with the Sabres falling behind 5-1 in the first period before battling back to earn a 6-6 tie.

EDS' eight security tips for shopping online this holiday season
November 19, 2007: 09:00 AM EST

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rising gas prices, a soft economy and sheer convenience will attract a record number of Santa's helpers to online retailers this holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation's 2007 Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumers plan to do more than 30 percent of their holiday shopping online.

As more people do their holiday shopping online, the risk of the Grinch stealing holiday cheer -- and identities -- is at an all-time high. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission reported more than 674,000 victims of identity theft and fraud totaling an estimated $1.1 billion in losses -- Internet-related complaints accounted for nearly half.(i)

"The online world can be a dangerous place and online shoppers need to be more vigilant than ever," said Dave Morrow, EDS chief security and privacy officer. "There are an overwhelming number of good, decent retailers mixed in with a few bad ones, so it's important online shoppers take the proper precautions to shop wisely and protect their personal information."

EDS security and privacy experts have identified EDS' eight tips for jolly and worry-free online shopping:

1. Know the online merchant. It is always best to know the reputation of
the companies you choose to do business with. If you are not familiar
with the online retailer, be sure to check the Web site for contact
details, including a physical address and phone number. Also, look to
see if the site is a member of a trust mark or trust seal program. This
certifies the business meets certain business standards set in place by
the program.
2. Ensure you are shopping at a secure Web site. A secure Web site uses
encryption technology to scramble the information you send, such as
your credit card number, in order to prevent identity thieves from
gaining access to it as it travels through the Internet. Secure Web
site addresses also include "https://" at the beginning of the address
-- the "s" indicates the Web site is secure. Also, look for a closed
padlock displayed in your browser's toolbar or on at the bottom of your
screen. If the lock is open or not present, this may be a sign that the
site is not secure. Even on a secure site, do not send any more
financial information than is necessary to complete the transaction.
Always keep a paper copy of the transaction for your records.

3. Review privacy and security policies for the companies you do business
with online. All reputable companies post a privacy and security policy
or statement on their Web site. This should tell you what information
the company collects, how it is used and what is shared. If you are
concerned about your information being shared with other companies,
make sure there is an option to keep your information confidential.

4. Be proactive in protecting your security. Install commonly available
security tools such as anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and a
personal firewall. These programs and the computer's operating system
must be maintained with the most recent patches or updates. Probably
the most common -- and most easily remedied -- security problem in home
computers is out-of-date software.

5. Do not use personal information for passwords. Using information such
as Social Security numbers, birth dates, names, common words, e-mail
addresses or telephone numbers as passwords can make you an easy
target. Be sure your passwords contain at least eight characters and
include numbers or symbols. To avoid misuse, do not write down
passwords.

6. Monitor online activity regularly. If you conduct business online,
review your account statements regularly and consider using a separate
credit card for online purchases or payments to ensure all transactions
are in order. By reviewing online statements, transactions and your
credit report frequently, you could detect a theft and limit its
damage. Identity thieves typically use stolen information for only a
short period of time to avoid being caught. If you suspect a security
breach, act quickly by contacting the companies you do business with
immediately. The Federal Trade Commission's identity theft Web site
is a great
resource for information on identity theft, including advice and
guidance if your identity is stolen.

7. Be aware that international security and privacy standards may be
different. When you shop in the United States, you are protected by
state and federal consumer laws. These laws may not apply if you place
an order internationally. If it is not a reputable merchant and there
is a problem, it may be difficult for you to resolve the issue. You
should print out and date a copy of terms, conditions, warranties, item
description, company information and even confirming e-mails, and save
them with the records of your purchase. Also, look at your purchase as
soon as you receive it and contact the seller as soon as possible if
you discover a problem.

8. Beware of "phishing" e-mails that appear to be from trusted merchants.
Phishing is one of the fastest-growing forms of online fraud for
identity thieves. Phishing e-mails appear legitimate, often addressing
you by name, which makes them even more convincing. Thieves sending
these e-mails usually ask you to click on a link in the email that
takes you to a phony Web site -- if you are interested, it is best to
go to the site yourself by typing the Web site name directly into your
browser rather than clicking on the link provided in the e-mail. A
skeptical attitude toward unsolicited e-mails is always the best
policy, especially if you have never done business with a company
before receiving an e-mail solicitation from it.

About EDS

EDS is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry 45 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world