Remaining Safe in a Technologically Advanced World

With digital technology ever improving, the need for caution and security increases. And in the wake of recent breaches in cybersecurity at several large companies just this year, that need has never been more apparent. It is important to stay vigilant and knowledgeable about how to protect yourself and your computer. It can be difficult to determine everything you need to know, so here are some tips to help keep your personal information safe.

Email Security

For most people, email is the most common process utilized on the Internet. Therefore, it is also the best place to start shoring up your defenses against threats. The first step is to learn how to identify fraudulent emails.

Fraudulent emails may include the following requests:

  • Notices to “update” or “verify” your account
  • Notices to correct “problems” with your account
  • False warnings that claim to require your response
  • Threats to deny access to your account if you do not respond
  • Surveys requiring account information so you can receive a reward
  • False employment opportunities requiring payment and personal information to apply

It requires caution and consideration to avoid falling prey to these emails. Make sure that you know the sender. Be especially careful when opening emails with an attachment that could potentially contain malicious software. Protect your confidential information, including Social Security numbers, PINs and passwords, and be suspicious of any email that asks you to verify or correct any information.

Phishing and Fake Websites

Phishing is a form of fraud where a scammer, pretending to be a legitimate person or organization, sends you an email that tries to trick you into revealing personal or financial information, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and passwords. Being able to identify fraudulent emails is a good start to securing yourself against phishing, but if you’re not confident that a website or email is legitimate, here are some more signs:

  • Incorrect URLs: Misspellings or variations in an URL name are a sign that you are not on a real site. Double check to ensure that the address is correct before submitting any information. You can also verify that the site address is the same as it is named in the hyperlink, by hovering over it. This also extends to misspellings within the message or on a site you are linked to.
  • Requests Banking Info: Banking institutions will not request your personal information via email. Be wary of any site that requests sensitive information other than your login information.
  • Uses Personal Account: Always check the sender’s email account before following links. If the account is a personal email, but claims to be from a business or a bank, be wary. Realize that your banking institution is likely to address you by name in their email correspondence, and if they refer to you generally, such as “Dear Valued Customer” it may be a scam.
  • Originates from an Unsecure Site: Legitimate e-commerce sites use encryption, or scrambling, to help ensure that your payment information remains safe. You can see if a site uses encryption by looking for a lock symbol in the browser window next to the URL. Clicking on the lock allows you to verify the site’s security certificate. Secure sites begin with https:// while unsecure sites begin with http://. Don’t enter your sensitive information into unsecure sites.
  • Uses Low Resolution Images: If the logo or text appears in poor resolution, this is a clue that the site could be fake. Because scammers must create their sites quickly, the quality is often lacking.

It’s important to realize that hacking and other security threats are often accompanied by some form of psychological manipulation. This is referred to as social engineering and can occur over the Internet, the phone, or even in person. Following the tips above is a good start to help secure yourself against threats, but the most important thing to do is to be cautious. These final reminders are useful if you are still unsure about a situation.

  • Be suspicious of any unsolicited messages or offers of service.
  • Delete or ignore any request for financial information or passwords.
  • Don’t provide information to unrecognized sources.
  • Don’t send sensitive information over unsecured sites.
  • Don’t overshare on social media.