KFI Updates Sunday, June 2, 2002: anti-virus software, advice from bankruptcy attorney Leon Bayer, smart travel tips, rebate headaches and more...

Sunday, June 2, 2002: Do you want to have all of your personal information in the hands of the bad guys? No? Then why haven't you installed anti-virus software or a firewall, yet? Oh...you have? So when was the last time you updated the anti-virus definitions? ESPECIALLY if you're on a cable modem or DSL connection...you're just asking for heartache if you don't get off your lazy butt and get after this...like right now. C'mon and do it...you've been warned: #1 Go out and check for updates to your browser at least once a month: Windows users [the majority of the world] go to your "Start" menu and run "Windows Update." Mac users? Tough sh**. Just kidding: Go to your Software Update Control Panel and grab your updates. #2 DSL or cable users: If you're not on-line, disconnect your connection [this will never happen!] from the cable/phone connection. [This is dumb...nobody will do this.] #3 Don't open e-mail attachments EVEN IF YOU KNOW who they're from, unless you know in advance what they contain or if they were really sent. #4 Foil the password crackers: Make sure your password is at least eight characters long, and include at least one character and one symbol, like a number sign or asterisk (like # or *). Avoid common words, and never disclose a password to anyone on-line. #5 Never use the same password for an on-line discussion group and a crucial task, like on-line banking. #6 Don't be a dumb-ass and forward e-mail warnings about "new" viruses, since it's probably a hoax or even a virus; find out more or try www.vmyths.com. Get smart and let the airlines bump you for $$$: Even with the airlines flying fewer passengers nowadays, your odds of getting bumped apparently have never been better! If you're retired or have some flexibility in your travel schedule, you can pick up a variety of perks from the airline you're flying...including travel vouchers [that could make your next trip a freebie!], food coupons, access to a "private" airlines club...or even a free night in a hotel! You need to do your homework to increase your chances if this interests you: Read more on Tom Parsons' popular Best Fares website or check out a recent story in USA Today. You'd better be pro-active when you're making a move: Aside from doing your homework to find the best movers that won't break everything you own or rip you off, don't go cheap on the insurance. Make sure you get the maximum coverages available or check to see if you'll be covered under your current homeowners' or renter's insurance policies. More info is on Ben's site, or check out www.moving.org. Don't waste your money on lousy service from the U.S. Post Office! As we prepare for another rate increase at the end of this month, revelations from a recent story in The Wall Street Journal confirm what Ben's suspected for a long time. Priority Mail services sucks. According to statistics released by the Post Office itself, the typical Priority Mail shipment, costing $3.50 for the cheapest rate on this class of service, takes about half a day longer to reach its destination than First Class deliveries that cost only 34 cents! Ben's already covered the real costs versus the real benefits of last-minute shipping and mailing if you'd like to read more. Aren't you tired of your privacy being violated by most of the companies you do business with? Wanna tell them to stuff it? Get in line on this one, kids: They get lost in all of the junk that comes with your monthly bills...and that's probably why the credit card companies have designed these mandatory "Privacy Policy Statements" the way the have. MBNA, one of the largest credit card issuers in the nation have taken 900 words to tell customers that they have the right to tell them to not sell their financial details to other companies. Here's something the banks/credit companies won't give you: A clear cut strategy on telling them to stuff it! Have you had as many problems as Ben has getting companies to pay off on their promised rebates? You realize that those companies that are offering rebates are betting on you either forgetting [or being too lazy] to file the paperwork and collect your rebate. Or if you do jump through all of their hoops, they'll somehow "lose" your paperwork and force you to really work overtime to ever collect a dime. Ben wrote about it in one of his columns...or check out a website that sells itself as our final solution to getting paid: www.wheresmyrebate.com Your banks and credit card companies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to change the federal bankruptcy laws: Wanna know the latest news on their quest to re-stack the deck against you, the common consumer? Check out Ben's spin on the latest news, or read the up-to-the-minute developments according to the American Bankruptcy Institute. Leon Knows! Bankruptcy expert, Los Angeles-based Leon Bayer answered some tough questions about the coming changes in the bankruptcy laws, as well as debunking and explaining the myths of seeking refuge by invoking your right to legally protect your assets or legally discharge your liabilities through this legal maneuver. Before you pull the ripcord in bankruptcy court, you've gotta get your house in order with our pals at the IRS: And it's really not that tough when you've got the right people helping you...especially since you know you're about to re-organize all of your finances, anyway. Wanna know more?

Recommend This Article To A Friend