Browser
- Use a different web browser for your financial accounts than you do for Google, GMail, Facebook, Amazon, and other web sites.
- If you use Chrome, for example, for your regular web browsing, use Firefox or Safari for your online financial accounts. It prevents hackers from taking advantage of the vulnerabilities related to using one browser.
- Clear your history or cache before and after using the browser to access your accounts.
- Use a different password for each of your financial accounts.
- Use different passwords for your email and Facebook accounts. Facebook is a big target for hackers. If they obtain your Facebook password, the next step is your email account. From there, they target your bank accounts. By using different passwords, you’re adding an extra layer of protection to your important financial accounts.
- Definitely don’t use your Facebook password for your online financial accounts. Facebook is a huge target. As mentioned earlier, 500 million accounts were recently compromised. If cyber criminals get your Facebook password and it’s the same password as your financial accounts, you’re risking your wealth for convenience.
- As an extra measure, consider using a separate email account dedicated for your online financial accounts.
- Use complex passwords.
- Change your passwords for all accounts at least once a year.
- Use multi factor authentication - a password and then a code texted to your phone.
- Use a password saving app like Last Pass or the browser’s built in password saving mechanism. There is a risk that if someone hacks your system, they have access to all of your accounts via the saved passwords. That risk, however, is offset by not using the same password for multiple sites.
- If you do want to enter passwords manually, use a pattern that is hard for password cracking applications to guess but is easy for you to remember.
- Install anti-virus software on your computer and set it to auto-update each day. Windows now has Defender built-in. Most people with Mac OS do not have anti-virus. That historically has been a safe bet. But everything is secure until it isn’t. Don’t wait for an outbreak or for data to be encrypted by cyber criminals. Install Symantec and McAfee antivirus programs on your Mac.
- Avoid free antivirus software from dubious vendors. You get what you pay for.
- Set your Mac or Windows computer to automatically install operating system updates.
- Don’t use an administrator account for your day-to-day tasks on your computer. Use an unprivileged account.
- Definitely don’t let your minor child have an administrator account on your computer, especially not the computer you use to conduct financial transactions.
- Use a password to log on to your computer. The last thing you want is a house guest or the babysitter accessing your sensitive files.
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