It’s difficult to imagine what life would be like without the internet. The way we work, study, shop, and manage our finances has all changed drastically because of it. However, the more we use the internet in our daily lives, the more cybercriminals try to hack into our sensitive information –especially our financial data.
Because financial gain is a primary motive behind cyberattacks, we all need to stay vigilant about protecting all of our sensitive information – not just bank account logins or credit card numbers. Hackers can use personal data for all kinds of malevolent intent. Institutions and individuals need to do their part to keep sensitive data safe.
On a corporate level, Ameriprise Financial has deployed around-the-clock, increasingly sophisticated prevention and detection techniques to identify and stop security breaches. These include monitoring threat intelligence services, maintaining contact with local and federal law enforcement, and using third-party testers to make sure both internal and external environments are secure.
As an individual, you also play a crucial role in protecting yourself every time you use the internet. Fortunately, there are several simple ways you can be proactive about staying safe online. All it requires is diligence, critical thinking, and common sense.
To help you keep your personal information safe and avoid becoming a victim of identity fraud or other devastating consequences, follow these five tips:
1. Think Before You Click
Cybercriminals are creative in their attempts to steal your data – and these tactics evolve with modern technology. Scammers generate fake emails and text messages pretending to be a legitimate company or person to purposely catch you off guard. Often, the message contains a reward or sense of urgency to make you click quickly before you realize your mistake.
If you receive one of these messages, take a moment to look closely before clicking on or downloading any content. Watch for any blatant spelling errors, blurry logos, mysterious sender addresses, unfamiliar tones, or unusual requests that are all telltale signs of a potential cyberattack. Always trust your instincts and permanently delete any suspicious messages that come your way.
2. Enroll in Account Verification Alerts
Another way you can protect your information is to enroll in account alerts through your bank, financial planning, and social media accounts. These settings will notify you immediately if there’s any unusual activity on your account so you can act right away.
Many platforms also offer two-step verification, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code (usually sent via text message) in addition to your password when logging into your account. This makes it more difficult for someone to hack into your account, even if they have your password.
3.Create Strong PassphrasesIn the early days of the internet, a simple password like “password123” may have done the trick to keep your digital life safe from harm. But as technology has evolved, hackers now have access to tools that can guess your password if it isn’t strong enough. That’s why longer passphrases have become a more secure option.
Instead of just one word and a few numbers, passphrases consist of four or more random words with at least 14 characters. Sprinkling in a number or special character into the passphrase makes it even harder to hack. Create different passphrases for all your accounts, and if needed, use a credible password manager to store your passphrases in one secure location.
4. Update Your Software
When your phone, computer, or other device says it has a software update available, it’s important to download the update right away instead of ignoring it. When software isn’t updated, it creates “loopholes” that cybercriminals can use to hack your device. Set up automatic updates, if possible, to give you peace of mind that your software stays current.
5.Avoid “Free” Public Wi-Fi
It’s tempting to save data and connect your phone or laptop to the free public Wi-Fi, however, they’re often not secure. When you log in to an unencrypted website on an unsecured Wi-Fi network, your personal data is visible to everyone else using that Wi-Fi – including cybercriminals.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi if you can. If that is your only choice, do not access your personal or financial information while you’re connected. Consider using a VPN app that offers encryption for an extra layer of protection. You never know who could be lurking in the deep, dark crevices of the internet or peering over your shoulder.
The internet is a valuable tool, but we must use it wisely. There’s no such thing as being overly cautious when browsing the web. By following basic cybersecurity practices in your daily life, you can help keep your personal and financial information secure. As the saying goes, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
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