February 10, 2023 • 3 min
Article Contents
Thanks to computers and mobile devices, we have a world of knowledge available at our fingertips, but the same devices can also make us incredibly vulnerable to fraud. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself online.
KYPIP stands for Keep Your Personal Information Private. Patelco respects your privacy and security and will never ask you for your online banking User ID and password; one-time passcodes for transactions, registrations, or login; your card PIN; security code; or full card number.”
Outdated electronics can give attackers access to your device through security weaknesses, making you more susceptible to ransomware attacks and viruses. Updates from Apple, Microsoft, Google and the like do more than just add features. They also provide security updates to keep your data safe.
To ensure you have the latest security features:
Passwords are the most common form of account authentication, but they must be complex and confidential to keep your information private. Use the following tips to come up with strong passwords and keep them secure.
For the accounts you use the most, check the security settings for the option to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA). When you use MFA or 2FA, you’ll need to provide at least two pieces of evidence to prove your identity for access to your account. This evidence may include your password, biometric identification, and/or a verification code you receive in an email, text message, phone call, or an app.
MFA helps increase online security because even if one credential becomes compromised, unauthorized users will be unable to meet the second authentication requirement, blocking them from accessing your information. Many MFA implementations also have time limits and expirations, making it even more difficult for a bad actor to access your account.
Social media is full of information about you. Purge your accounts of any personal information you wouldn’t want a stranger or thief to have — anything from your home address, employer details or email addresses to photos of vacations and birthdays.
The main problem with vacation photos, at least if you share them while on vacation, is that they tell the entire world that you’re not at home – this can leave your accounts more vulnerable since fraudsters know that you may be less likely to check your accounts, or that you have a travel notification set for your accounts, all information that can be exploited.
Regarding birthdays, some scammers and identity thieves can wreak havoc with just your name, date of birth (DOB), and address. So if a fraudster already knows your name and address, posting information about your DOB on social media gives them the final piece of information they need to attempt fraud or identity theft.
Internet fraud is on the rise. Learn how to spot the five most common online scams; spoofing, phishing, vishing, smishing and pharming. Don’t become a victim.
We’ve all had that feeling—do I click on that? Who’s calling me? Learn what is phishing, how does it work, and how to identify and avoid phishing scams.
If you’ve been affected by an online scam, it’s important to notify your bank and government agencies that track and investigate these crimes. Follow these steps to recover from the fraud.
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