Taking these actions can help you protect your personal and financial information from getting compromised. As a general rule, legitimate companies will never contact you by phone or email to ask for Social Security numbers, account numbers, log-in information, or passwords. Developing these good habits dramatically improves your level of protection.
Be aware of where you may be leaving digital fingerprints!
Computers
- Regularly update software like MS Windows and Internet browsers
- Use Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam, and Anti-Spyware/Malware software
- Log out of your computer when you are not actively using it
Web Browsing
- Use secure passwords and keep them safe
- Try to use different passwords for different websites
- Avoid entering user names and passwords on public computers
- Set security settings to prevent popups or automatic file installs
- Do not click links or open attachments from unknown senders
- Do not click links from known senders if they look unusual
- Do not give out personal or financial information over email
- Turn off the option to automatically download attachments
Smart Phones
- Require a password to access your smart phone
- Be careful of public Wi-Fi hot-spots; they often have no security
Phone
- Do not share personal information with someone who says they are calling on a company’s behalf; call the company back directly
- Learn the signs of prize, award, and other telemarketing scams
Social Media
- Avoid over-sharing, which includes home or work addresses, or travel plans
Paperwork/Financial
- Shred paperwork that may have sensitive information, like financial statements
- Promptly review correspondence, notices and account statements, or confirmations from brokers and banks
- Actively monitor your credit card and bank balances and transactions
If you found this article useful, check out our other Cyber Security pieces:
Cyber Security: Recognizing Scams!
Beware the Tax Scam!
