| With more people using the internet everyday, there | | | | fraudulent websites to gather a person's personal |
| has been a significant increase in the threats of online | | | | information. Never provide personal information to |
| criminals attempting to steal personal information. | | | | unknown businesses. Confirm the site is legitimate by |
| When you use email, surf the net, and provide financial | | | | either checking with the Better Business Bureau or |
| information to retailers, you have to make sure no one | | | | online sites that expose fraudulent sites and emails. |
| can steal your information. Fortunately, technological | | | | Purchase products from sites that encrypt transaction |
| improvements in computer security and implementing | | | | payments. Encrypting payment information will code |
| safety precautions can drastically reduce the chances | | | | your personal and financial data after you submit the |
| of having your information stolen. | | | | payment.o Beware of Certain Free Download |
| The following tips are designed to help you protect | | | | Programs: Some free download software can contain |
| personal information on your computer:o Acquire | | | | harmful programs. They can allow the person who |
| Security Software: It is important that you have the | | | | sent it access to your computer. Security software |
| appropriate security software to protect your | | | | can prevent these programs from installing. Adware |
| computer from viruses, hackers, worms, spyware, | | | | and Spyware are software that can contain these |
| spam, identity theft, and Adware. A quality and | | | | malicious programs.o Backup Information: Back up and |
| renowned security software program will protect your | | | | store your information in case your security barrier is |
| computer from a variety of security risks. Some | | | | breached so you will not lose important information. |
| software provides a combination of protection | | | | Store it on a CD or an external hard drive.o System |
| methods while others provide just one security | | | | Security Configuration: Configure your browser or |
| function.o Implement Wireless Security Protection: If | | | | operating system to manage pop-ups, delete cookies, |
| you access the internet through a Wi-Fi network, | | | | and block specific web sites.o Change Passwords |
| make sure you have the appropriate protection from | | | | Regularly: Change your passwords at least every 30 |
| hackers. With wireless networks, the radio waves | | | | days to reduce the chance of a hacker accessing |
| travel in the surrounding area, so a hacker sitting | | | | your online personal and financial information.o Monitor |
| nearby can access your connection and hack into | | | | your Credit Report: You should regularly check your |
| your computer.o Use a Firewall: A firewall adds a | | | | credit report history. This will let you know if anyone |
| security obstruction between a personal computer and | | | | has been using your financial information. |
| the internet. It helps prevents hackers from accessing | | | | When you use the internet for shopping, banking, |
| your computer. It will block any suspicious and | | | | emailing, and sending instant messages, there are |
| unauthorized entry into a computer system.o Email | | | | shady people who may try to access your computer |
| Encryption: When you use email encryption, it reduces | | | | to steal your information. Using the latest security |
| the chances of someone intercepting and accessing | | | | software and practicing safe security practices, will |
| your information.o Beware of Phishing Scams: Many | | | | reduce the chance of having your personal information |
| online criminals will send fraudulent emails and use | | | | stolen and used for illegal purposes. |