I was listening to the news this morning as they talked about a new practice called “smishing.” It’s related to what’s been called phishing, where you get an e-mail telling you that your bank account will be closed unless you take action or that the FBI wants to contact you or the IRS has money for you or some such thing. Their goal is to get you to go to their site and enter your personal information.

Smishing is similar, except it uses SMS, otherwise known as text messages. People get a text with a link to follow or a number to call, along with instructions that they need to take action about their credit card/bank account/refund or whatever.

The basic problem is that too many people do as they’re told. When it comes to computers, be careful who you’re listening to. Don’t just do as you’re told.

• Take control. If Wells Fargo bank says you have a problem with your account, go to the Wells Fargo bank web site (which you find via Google if you don’t already know the address. Never follow a link sent to you in an e-mail or text from a stranger!)
• If an error message box pops up saying that you have a virus, don’t use the anti-virus protection they offer. Choose your anti-virus software ahead of time, and run it if there seems to be a problem.
• Ignore computer warnings that come in an e-mail that a friend got from a friend who got it from a co-worker who received it in a mass mailing. If “Microsoft said this is the worst virus ever,” the info will be on the Microsoft site.
• Please don’t repost things on Facebook just because someone says “Repost this to everyone you know.” If it’s good advice on how to fix a Facebook setting, it should tell you where to read that advice on a reputable site. (And if it’s just some guilt trip about “if you really care, you’ll do this,” then please spare the rest of us)

Basically, don’t do what you’re told. Except in this case. Do what I’m telling you.

‘Cause I’m right. As always. :-)