7 Tips for Safe Browsing

For all the Internet's advantages, users remain vulnerable to fraud, identity theft and other scams and must take precautions online, say the experts at the American Bankers Association (ABA). To stay safe and secure while browsing, the ABA recommends users:

Secure your Internet connection. Always protect your home wireless network with a password. When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious about what information you are sending over it.

Keep computers and mobile devices up to date. Having the latest security software, Web browser and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware and other online threats. Turn on automatic updates so you receive the newest fixes as they become available.

Set strong passwords. A strong password is at least eight characters in length and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters.

Keep personal information personal. Hackers can use social media profiles to figure out your passwords and answer those security questions in the password reset tools. Lock down your privacy settings and avoid posting things like birthdays, addresses, your mother's maiden name, etc. Be wary of requests to connect from people you do not know.

Watch out for phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and websites to trick users into disclosing private account or login information. Do not click on links or open any attachments or pop-up screens from sources you are not familiar with. Forward phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the email.

Shop safely. Before shopping online, make sure the website uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the web address begins with https. Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears on the page.

Read the site's privacy policies. Though long and complex, privacy policies tell you how the site protects the personal information it collects.

Source: ABA.com

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