By ALAN KONDO, CFP, CLU
Just in the last couple of weeks our family has received email viruses in the form of a PG&E bill, a delivery notice from DHL, and an Amazon purchase. All of these were fictitious and clicking on the links would have triggered a virus or unauthorized access to our computer. The revelations in the news about the hacking of accounts at Target, Costco and Neiman Marcus are probably just the tip of the iceberg.
As technology continues to evolve, so too have the skills of cyber-criminals, who have honed their ability to break through firewalls, stealing valuable personal data and funds. What steps can you take to better secure you valuable personal and financial data when banking or shopping online? Consider the following tips as important baseline precautions.
Be Safe When Connecting
Be careful how and where you use any online banking system.
● Never connect to the Internet through an unsecured, public wireless network.
● Never access your account from a link. Links are easy to tamper with, especially if they are embedded in an email, text message, or online articles. Always go directly to the home page of the financial institution first, and navigate from there.
Protect Your Passwords
Choose and use your passwords carefully. Use at least eight characters and include a liberal mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols.
● Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts – doing so leaves you more vulnerable.
● Never use personally identifying information, such as the last four digits of your Social Security number, in a password or username.
● Be sure to change your passwords regularly and avoid reusing the same password and username on different websites.
● Never share passwords, PINs or other account-related information in response to an unsolicited request. If you did not initiate the communication, you should not provide any information.
Regularly Monitor Your Accounts
Check account activity and online statements often, instead of waiting for your monthly statement. If you notice a “red flag,” contact your bank immediately. When a customer reports an unauthorized transaction within sixty days of the occurrence, the financial institution will typically cover the loss and take measures to protect the account.¹
Protect Your Equipment
Be sure your computers and mobile devices are equipped with up-to-date anti-virus and malware protection.
● Most computer operating systems have built-in security firewalls. Be sure yours is set at “medium” or higher.
● Exercise the same caution with your wireless home Internet connection. Without proper protection, there is nothing to prevent anyone from gaining access to your computer files and personal account data. WPA encryption is considered the best type of wi-fi protection. WEP should be used only when WPA is not available.
Be Careful When Using Social Media
Facebook and Twitter are used by millions of people worldwide, but be sure to exercise caution when sharing personal information on these sites. Details such as your birthdate, home address, or the names of schools you attended are frequently used by financial institutions to validate your identity and are therefore potentially useful to cyber-criminals. Always review the privacy policies for any social network you join so as to avoid unintended disclosure of information.
Shop on Secured Sites
If you shop online, be sure to use only websites and merchants that you trust and that protect your account information with industry-standard protocols. Look for secure transaction signs, such as a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your browser, or “https” in the address bar.
With a healthy dose of caution and some old-fashioned common sense, you can safely use the Internet as a time-saving, convenient resource.
¹ Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Section 1005.6
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The opinions expressed above are solely those of Kondo Wealth Advisors, LLC (626-449-7783 info@kondowealthadvisors.com), a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of California. Neither Kondo Wealth Advisors, LLC nor its representatives provide legal, tax or accounting advice.
A few more tips:
Go online to the site of your credit card company and find where you can request they email you a daily balance. If your balance doesn’t seem right, go online to the credit card company right away.
There are three credit reporting agencies in the US. Go online and request they not provide reports to anyone. That way, if someone steals your identity and tries to open up a new credit card or take out a loan, the credit reporting agencies won’t issue a report.
Here is a web page from the State of California, Office of the Attorney General
http://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/freeze-your-credit