According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center annual report*, losses from internet crimes last year increased 33%. Regardless of how tech savvy you think you are (or aren’t), everyone has a responsibility to learn a few good cybersecurity habits. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to implement a few changes that will help you stay protected online. Whether you’re messaging with friends, streaming music, watching movies, buying clothes or paying bills, there are basic cybersecurity rules anyone can follow.
Use the Right Tools
Make sure you keep your apps and operating systems up to date. Many times, those updates include important security fixes. This includes your antivirus software, which helps protect against malware. Malware is a file or code that can infect your operating system, allowing fraudsters to steal sensitive information and more. If you don’t use antivirus software, there are several providers that offer basic versions for free.
If you want to take things up a notch, it may be worthwhile to subscribe to security software that specifically protects against more dangerous types of malware, like spyware or ransomware. Do some research to make sure the provider you use is not only legitimate, but also worth the expense.
Limit What You Share Online
Yes, social media is all about sharing information, but protect yourself by adjusting privacy settings and options.
- Restrict who can see your posts or follow you. Also, be careful about how much information you share.
- Refuse friend requests from people you don’t know.
- Block what you share from search engines, ensuring it's only visible by your followers.
- Avoid linking your accounts. Anytime you create a new link, you are also increasing the visibility of what you share across multiple platforms. This makes you more vulnerable to phishing attempts.
- Limit sharing your location or your common habits, like where you bank or shop. Never share personal information that can be used to guess passwords or security questions. This includes where you went to school, your pet’s name, childhood friends and so on. Even seemingly harmless facts can help scammers locate you.
Protect Your Passwords
You’ve heard this before, but it is critical that you use strong, unique passwords that are different on every site where you have an account. Use passwords that aren’t obvious or have any direct link to your personal history. Do not reuse passwords. When a hacker cracks one account, they’ll try that password on every site where you might have an account.
It can be a challenge to keep track of your many passwords, so try a password manager. This creates, encrypts and securely stores your passwords in a vault which only you can access.
Don’t Click or Open Unfamiliar Links
Never click on a link via text or email from someone you don’t know. This includes supposedly trusted sources, like friends or even your bank. Spammers will spoof accounts you trust and send links that look legitimate but are not. There are a few signs to look for if you’re unsure.
- Incorrect company names or URLs. Scammers often use slightly different spellings or extensions to trick you into thinking they’re legit.
- Poor spelling and grammar. Real companies don’t often make typos and always check spelling before sending messages to clients.
- Urgent calls to action. Keep an eye out for red flags like “your account is suspended,” “reset your account password now,” or other high-pressure calls to action.
Remember, Atlantic Union Bank will never call, email or text asking for personal information like passwords, account numbers or one-time codes. If you’re ever in doubt, please call us at 800.990.4828 to confirm.
You can find more information on how to stay protected online and other financial literacy resources on AtlanticUnionBank.Banzai.org. Banzai is a financial education tool that offers clear, in-depth lessons to help you dive into financial topics you care most about.
*Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Report