Internet & Email Security Tips
- Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information unless the e-mail is digitally signed (you can’t be sure it wasn’t forged or ‘spoofed’). Phishers typically: (1) include upsetting or exciting (but false) statements in their emails to get people to react immediately; (2) ask for confidential information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, account numbers, etc.; and (3) do not personalize the e-mail message (while valid messages from your credit union should be).
- Always ensure that you’re using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser. To make sure you’re on a secure Web server, check the beginning of the Web address in your browsers address bar – it should be https:// rather than just http://.
- Consider installing a Web browser tool bar to help protect you from known phishing fraud websites.
- Regularly log into your online accounts and don’t wait for as long as a month before you check each account.
- Regularly check your financial institution, credit, and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate. If anything is suspicious, contact your financial institution (s) and card issuers.
- Ensure that your browser is up to date and security patches applied.
- Always report “phishing” or “spoofed” e-mails to the following groups:
- Forward the e-mail to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov
- Forward the e-mail to the “abuse” e-mail address at the company that is being spoofed
- When forwarding spoofed messages, always include the entire original e-mail with its original header information intact
Smartphone Security Tips:
The Identity Theft Resource Center, San Diego, Calif., recommends these best practices for mobile device users:
- Password-protect your phone. Use a strong password (numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and symbols).
- Enroll in a backup/wiping program. This service backs up information on your smartphone to your home computer and "wipes" your phone if it's lost or stolen.
- Install security software. Companies offer antivirus, malware, and security software designed for smartphones. Make sure you download software updates.
- Download apps from trusted sources. Some "bad apps" contain malware.
- Do not access financial accounts from free, public networks. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are a prime target for hackers who then have direct access to your mobile device.