There are several steps you can take in order
to ensure that access to your AJ account is secure. If you
suspect that your account may have already been tampered with,
please refer to the Securing Your Account page and follow those
instructions immediately.
Choose a Unique User ID
Your User ID is the nickname that identifies you on AJ.
Choosing a User ID that is not related to your email address
will help prevent individuals from collecting your email address,
which may lead to access to your email account. By using a
unique User ID, you will also be able to minimize unwelcome
email from other AJ members. If your User ID is the same
or similar to your email address, we encourage you to change
your User ID.
For further protection, choose a User ID and password that
are different from the User IDs and passwords for all of your
other online accounts. Using the same User ID and password
for several online accounts means that if someone is able
to access one of your accounts, they will have access to all
of your other accounts as well.
Please be aware that AJ users will still be able to contact
you after you have changed your User ID by using the Contact
an AJ Member feature. This system can be accessed by clicking
on the User ID of the user you would like to contact. AJ
will investigate any misuse of the Contact an AJ Member
feature.
Take Caution with Requests for Sensitive Information
Some members have reported attempts to gain access to their
personal information through email requests that are made
to appear that they were sent from AJ. These requests often
include links to Web pages that will request that you sign
in and submit information. At AJ, we identify these as 'spoofed'
email or Web sites.
AJ will never ask you to provide sign-in passwords, credit
card numbers, or other sensitive information through email.
If we request information from you, we will always direct
you back to the AJ site. More information on how to identify
whether or not an email message you received was sent by AJ
can be found on the Email and Websites Impersonating AJ
page.
Choose a Good Password
If you have a relatively simple password, other individuals
may be able to access your account through a series of guesses.
Please review the Choosing a Secure Password page for tips
on how to select a password.
AJ will never ask you to provide sign-in passwords, credit
card numbers, or other sensitive information through email.
If we request information from you, we will always direct
you back to the AJ site. More information on how to identify
whether or not an email message you received was sent by AJ
can be found on the Email and Websites Impersonating AJ
page.
After selecting a secure password, you can change your AJ
password. In addition to changing your password, we encourage
you to Change the Secret Question and Answer associated with
your AJ account.
In addition, take care when choosing your secret question
and Answer. Read tips on choosing an effective secret question.
Change Your Password Regularly
In order to assure that your password is secure, we encourage
you to change your password every 30-60 days.
Use Virus Protection Software
There are a number of computer viruses in circulation that
log and record keystrokes. For this reason, we recommend that
you install virus protection. It is also important that virus
protection is kept up-to-date, as new versions of viruses
are circulated regularly. Most virus protection software can
be set to install new updates on a regular basis.
Install a Firewall
A firewall is either hardware or software that controls the
flow of information to and from your computer. Using a firewall
will help prevent any unauthorized parties from gaining access
to sensitive information stored on your computer. It is especially
important to use a firewall if you have a high-speed connection
that is always connected to the Internet.
