- Don't e-file over a WEP connection. Even if the website itself is secure, your WEP connection is not. If your internet provider delivered your wireless configured for WEP (and they probably did) you might have the option to reconfigure it for WPA or WPA2 which is much safer.
- Make a money email account. Don't use it for anything but money matters. Make sure you give it a good long password with upper case and lower case and a few numbers.
- Don't email your tax forms. (Personally, I'd fire my CPA if he emailed mine.) CDs are cheap. If you want an archival copy burn a CD.
- Make sure the computer you are using is virus and malware free before you do your taxes online.
- Use a reputable software vendor (HRBlock or Intuit TurboTax,) or go to the IRS or state website to file.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Advice for E-Filing
So this year you want to e-file for the first time. Congrats. It's faster. It's safe if you take a couple precautions.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Now That I'm Blacklisted, What Do I Do?
Getting blacklisted is not something you want on your bucket list. It's a pain to get off a UBL (universal block list) once you've been put on one.
First, you have to look at the reason why you were put on. Are you sending a ton of emails? If you are, then stop. People don't want to have to delete a whole bunch of emails that aren't relevant to them. Is your computer infected? If it is, chances are you're a zombie sending out tons of emails without your knowledge. It's really important to stay on top of things and stay up to date with your virus protection and scans.
Second, you have to look at how you are blacklisted. Either it's your email or IP address. The email vendor of the person you are trying to send to can tell you which has been blacklisting by looking at their logs.
Third, determine who is blacklisting you. There are many different blacklists that are maintained by many different organizations. Here's one place you can check: http://whatismyipaddress.com/blacklist-check.
Fourth, visit the website of the blacklisting organization and follow their removal steps. It usually takes time to get off a blacklist. Sometimes it can happen the same day, but that's rare. Usually it takes a couple of weeks. Sometimes it takes six months. In some cases, once you're on, you're on.
So as you can see, it's best to avoid getting on one to begin with. Email smart and you'll stay off.
First, you have to look at the reason why you were put on. Are you sending a ton of emails? If you are, then stop. People don't want to have to delete a whole bunch of emails that aren't relevant to them. Is your computer infected? If it is, chances are you're a zombie sending out tons of emails without your knowledge. It's really important to stay on top of things and stay up to date with your virus protection and scans.
Second, you have to look at how you are blacklisted. Either it's your email or IP address. The email vendor of the person you are trying to send to can tell you which has been blacklisting by looking at their logs.
Third, determine who is blacklisting you. There are many different blacklists that are maintained by many different organizations. Here's one place you can check: http://whatismyipaddress.com/blacklist-check.
Fourth, visit the website of the blacklisting organization and follow their removal steps. It usually takes time to get off a blacklist. Sometimes it can happen the same day, but that's rare. Usually it takes a couple of weeks. Sometimes it takes six months. In some cases, once you're on, you're on.
So as you can see, it's best to avoid getting on one to begin with. Email smart and you'll stay off.
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