Believe it or not, the holidays are quickly approaching. Accordingly, you’ve likely seen an increase in ads and emails promoting Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday deals, and Cyber Monday specials over the last few weeks. So, it’s an ideal time to remind online shoppers to remain vigilant.
This week we continue to highlight Cybersecurity Awareness Month by sharing some tips to help shoppers safeguard information. As you shop online, keep these 7 cybersecurity tips in mind.
Tip #1: Create Secure Passwords
Your password is the first line of defense—meaning you’ll want to make it a strong one. Avoid simple, easy-to-figure-out passwords like “Pass1234” or “0000” — even birthdays and anniversary dates are easy for hackers to figure out.
If your computer supports the ability to generate random passwords, this can be the safest option. If you do not have that option, create a password free from full words, names, dates, phone numbers, or addresses. Instead, try using partial words and symbols to replace letters such as “!” for an “i,” “$” for an “s,” and “@” for an “a.”
Don’t forget to change your passwords on a regular basis and avoid keeping a list of your passwords on your computer.
Tip #2: Protect Your Passwords
Always use a different password for each site or service you use. This is an important step in preventing hackers from gaining access to all of your other accounts if one becomes compromised. Avoid sharing your password with others, even friends and family. If another person’s computer is hacked, this could put your personal information in danger as well.
Tip #3: Invest in Quality Cybersecurity Software
If you don’t have it already, seriously consider installing cybersecurity software on your computer. This software can help identify and prevent viruses from downloading to your computer system. Although there are free programs available, they don’t always have the latest updates. There are low-cost cybersecurity options to choose from, and their small upfront cost can be worth safeguarding your personal information.
Tip #4: Be Wary of Links
In general, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid clicking on any links you receive in an email, text, or chat — especially if they’re from a stranger or unfamiliar company. It’s entirely too easy for hackers to make links appear trustworthy or as though they’re coming from a reliable source when in reality, they’re not.
If you’re unsure about the validity of a link, try typing the URL directly into your browser’s address bar.
Tip #5: Don’t Put Yourself at Risk
The internet is immense, and there are some parts you simply want to stay away from. Visiting certain types of sites that contain adult entertainment, certain discussion forums, file-sharing sites, and streaming services can lead to an increased likelihood of downloading a virus to your computer.
As an online shopper, you’ll want to be especially vigilant of sites that appear to boast too-good-to-be-true offers or list items for sale at a substantially lower price than others. If it does not appear to be reputable, it could be putting your computer or personal information in danger.
Tip #6: Don’t Use Debit Cards Online
Once you make a purchase with a debit card, the money is immediately deducted from your bank account. If a cybercriminal gains access to your debit card information, the criminal can quickly drain your bank account. Although you may get your money back, you will likely not have access to your funds until your bank resolves the issue. Instead, use a credit card so that if theft occurs, your credit card company will handle it.
Tip #7: Check Your Credit Score for Changes
Set aside a day each month to check your credit score—maybe make it a habit to check on the same day you pay your bills each month. There are several sites that offer free credit scores, and many credit card companies, banks or credit unions offer monitoring or alert services to their customers. Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service for extra protection.
Cybercrime is scary, but it is part of modern life. Taking precautions like those above can help you lower your chances of becoming another victim.
For more tips to help keep you safe online read 8 Cybersecurity Tips to Start Using Today.
