> From: Andrew Fildes <afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> The idea that my own system was porous and so my password and account
> details could be intercepted during the log on procedure.
The only way that would happen is if a virus were logging you
keystrokes and sending them off to the mother ship. There are
currently no known viruses on the Macintosh, so this is pretty unlikely.
Your password and account information to Pay Pal is encrypted on your
computer, and so cannot realistically be intercepted after it leaves
your computer, unless you're NSA.
One other possibility is that you replied to a bogus request for
PayPal login information. This is called "phishing," and generally
comes through email. ("Please verify your account information by
clicking this link.")
NEVER click on a link in email that then takes you to a website that
asks for your login info, unless you are absolutely sure the email is
legit! Older Windows versions allowed the wrong address to be
displayed when you clicked such links. In other words, the link might
look like "http://security.ebay.com"; in both the email, and the
address field of the browser, but will actually be taking you to
"password.harvest.crook".
:::: Sell your cleverness, and purchase bewilderment -- Rumi
:::: Jan Steinman <http://www.Bytesmiths.com/Item/99-6313-15>
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