In today's world, as the result of advancement on development of Information Technology, people are more easier to access to Internet. Although it is quite convenient as it allows people done their financial payments through Internet, there is still a risk of privacy of personal and financial data. Identity theft is the crime of obtaining the personal or financial information of another person for the sole purpose of assuming that person's name or identity in order to make transactions or purchases. Therefore, there is a need to take some ways in order to safeguard your personal and financial data from identity theft. To prevent from fall into cyber fraud, there are some steps to take as follows:
Steps to Protect Your Information
1. TRUSTED SITE
You are advised to make purchase only at trusted site, well-known, or sites that are using reputable payment processors such as Paypal or Google Checkout. There are a lot of small online retailers that do not have effectively secure payment systems. To avoid identity theft, it is better to check for padlock icon on the bottom of browser that verify that the website is safe. As a result, your personal and financial data will be protected and remain confidential.
2. SPOT PHISHING
Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to get your personal information by pretending to be a site that you trust. Phishing schemes are successful because you believe that you're just signing into your bank or credit card account, when it's really a strategy to get your important information. When logging into these accounts, make sure that you're not being asked for any information that you usually wouldn't be required to provide to log in.
3. INSTALL ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM AND FIREWALL
USEFUL LINKS:
1.http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/103893/Six-Ways-to-Safeguard-Your-Online-Assets
2. http://www.msisac.org/awareness/news/2007-03.cfm
Steps to Protect Your Information
1. TRUSTED SITEYou are advised to make purchase only at trusted site, well-known, or sites that are using reputable payment processors such as Paypal or Google Checkout. There are a lot of small online retailers that do not have effectively secure payment systems. To avoid identity theft, it is better to check for padlock icon on the bottom of browser that verify that the website is safe. As a result, your personal and financial data will be protected and remain confidential.
2. SPOT PHISHING
Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to get your personal information by pretending to be a site that you trust. Phishing schemes are successful because you believe that you're just signing into your bank or credit card account, when it's really a strategy to get your important information. When logging into these accounts, make sure that you're not being asked for any information that you usually wouldn't be required to provide to log in.
3. INSTALL ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM AND FIREWALL You should protect your computer against viruses and Trojan horses that may steal or modify the data on your computer by using anti-virus software and a firewall. Spyware or adware hidden in software programs could affect the performance of your computer and give attackers access to your data. Use a legitimate anti-spyware program to scan your computer and remove any of these files. You should keep your anti virus software up-to-date to ensure that the software provide you the highest protection on your data.
4. USE OPTIONAL SECURITY QUESTION
Similar to the idea of using different passwords for different account, set up optional security questions to log into your accounts is also a good way to protect your personal data. Many financial institutions ask security questions that a third party wouldn't know, but you can often set up multiple optional questions that can increase the security of your account. Remember to use questions that don't have answers available that known to others. For example, choose questions such as "What was the color of your car?"
5. AVOID PUTTING PRIVATE INFO ON PUBLIC COMPUTERS
You are advised not to leave your personal data on computer when you are leaving the computer alone. Besides, if you're accessing a private account at the public library or cyber café, make sure to log out completely after you have used it and never choose to save login information such as user name and password on computers because there are a lot people will be using the computers. Therefore, there will be a high risk on your data security.
4. USE OPTIONAL SECURITY QUESTION
Similar to the idea of using different passwords for different account, set up optional security questions to log into your accounts is also a good way to protect your personal data. Many financial institutions ask security questions that a third party wouldn't know, but you can often set up multiple optional questions that can increase the security of your account. Remember to use questions that don't have answers available that known to others. For example, choose questions such as "What was the color of your car?"
5. AVOID PUTTING PRIVATE INFO ON PUBLIC COMPUTERSYou are advised not to leave your personal data on computer when you are leaving the computer alone. Besides, if you're accessing a private account at the public library or cyber café, make sure to log out completely after you have used it and never choose to save login information such as user name and password on computers because there are a lot people will be using the computers. Therefore, there will be a high risk on your data security.
USEFUL LINKS:
1.http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/103893/Six-Ways-to-Safeguard-Your-Online-Assets
2. http://www.msisac.org/awareness/news/2007-03.cfm
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1 comments:
very nice suggestion...nowadys our information easily hacked by others.
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