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internet, right? We spend most of our days online, keeping in touch with family, looking for jobs, watching a dog video or two, and shopping. As a society, we love to shop online. However, entering sensitive financial information on our computer can potentially expose your data to people looking to spend your money.
Internet security firm Beyond Identity surveyed more than 1,000 people about their password habits – the results were sobering. According to their findings, one in three people have tried to guess someone else’s password, and 73% of those who guessed it were successful.
Here, we’ll go over some tips to help you and your information stay strictly confidential. To start, let’s talk about passwords…
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Do not reuse passwords across multiple sites
Use a password manager like LastPass to store your login information. LastPass creates unique passwords for each account you use online. This includes email accounts, social media sites, banking apps, etc.
Not convinced? According to the same Beyond Identity survey, just over 39% of people used commonly known information to successfully guess another person’s password on the other person. Just over 18% were able to guess someone else’s password by checking their social media profiles.
A password manager will provide you with a harder-to-hack password (and store it for you), keeping your data safe.
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Networks – it’s not just for office parties
You can only be as secure as the network you are on if you buy from a trusted source. In order to ensure your online security, you should stick to reliable private networks. Since you are responsible for the security of your home network, this is the best choice.
Public networks are prohibited. When you’re on a public network, you never know who can see your information. Mobile networks aren’t completely secure either, so tempting as it may be, avoid shopping on your phone unless it’s connected to private Wi-Fi.
This can make you vulnerable to hacking. “Hacking is when an unauthorized person gains access to your computer or system, putting your data at risk,” Nick Baker, broadband expert at Uswitch.com told Yahoo Life. “This can allow hackers to access your bank accounts, and therefore request new PINs, hijack your username and passwords, as well as ruin your credit score.”
Watch where you shop – learn about these potential dangers
Dangerous sites that do not encrypt your data.
Look for the letter “s” after “http” in the URL (or website address). A site that begins with “https://” is a site that scrambles your data so that watching eyes cannot see it. Some password managers like LastPass alert you if you are about to access a site that is not encrypted.
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Phishing scams impersonate a trusted retailer to steal your information.
Phishing scams are a common way to trick people into giving up their information. In this type of scam, a hacker configures a site to look exactly like another site and tricks consumers into entering sensitive information. If you enter your credit card information on this site, the hacker has it. To avoid phishing attempts, avoid clicking on site links in emails. You can also hover your cursor over the URL and check the address to make sure it’s legitimate.
Keep track of your transaction history
Make sure you are aware of the transactions you make online. Check your statement carefully for suspicious receipts and invoices to spot unusual purchases.
What to do if you suspect credit card fraud
Have an alert system installed. Some financial institutions provide alerts when certain triggers occur in the account. For example, some banks notify customers of large ATM withdrawals. Others may let you know when your balance drops below $1,000, or even allow you to lock your cards until you’re ready to use them.
File a complaint with the police. File a police report with local law enforcement authorities if there is evidence someone stole your financial information.
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