In a world where nearly everything exists online, being mindful of your online security is more important than ever.
We provide and access our personal information online through hundreds of websites for financial institutions, healthcare, social media and more. If that information falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to serious consequences such as fraudulent credit card activity and identity theft. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe:
- Know where links you click on are going to take you; if you’re not sure about the validity of a link, do not click on it.
- Scan the subheadings of User Agreements for pertinent details about fees, charges, and security – particularly on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
- Protect your credit card information by using a third-party service like PayPal to pay for online purchases when possible.
- Keep your software up to date and run virus scans and security software regularly.
- Keep your internet browser up to date, and close it when it’s not in use.
- Don’t access websites with sensitive information on public computers, and be careful about what apps you open on your phone over public Wi-Fi.
Following these guidelines will go a long way in keeping your online information secure, but please continue to educate yourself about scams and security risks so that you don’t fall prey. Stay tuned to our blog for regular updates, and never hesitate to call Frankie if you have questions.