Helpful Computer Safety and Identity Protection Tips
Last year the Federal Trade Commission received more than one-quarter million stolen identity complaints. 13 billion dollars a year is spent by the private sector to protect against cyber threats. Recently, Anthem, a health care provider, announced that its files had been hacked and now 80 million customers faced the possibility that their important data had been stolen.
Clearly, identity theft has become a growing problem. This blog will provide some tips for prevention of online identity theft.
There are two programs that every computer should have: Malwarebytes and a good Anti-virus program. Go to www.malwarebytes.org and download their free program to protect against malware and also use quality virus protection software such as Norton or McAfee.
In addition, follow these good habits:
- Use a strong password of numbers and letters for your computer and network. Yes home networks have to be protected too.
- Unfamiliar email attachments need should be scanned before opening.
- Don’t put personal information on Facebook or other social media.
- Install a Firewall (most virus protection also includes a firewall.)
- Use protection like Norton Identity Safe. Norton Identity Safe conveniently stores and encrypts your personal information such as credit cards, account numbers and contact information so you can access it easily.
- Increase the security settings on your browser.
- Use drive lock to lock your hard drive and encrypt your files.
- Intrusion protection – watches data as it passes into the network
- Avoid phishing and pharming scams where thieves use fake emails and websites to impersonate legitimate organizations. Beware of websites claiming to be your bank or financial business.
- Use password managers, like Norton Identity Safe in Norton Internet Security and Norton 360, to auto fill login information, bypassing the keyboard.
- Transact financial business online only with secure websites with URLs that begin with
- Avoid saving your password online.
Recently, a new (zero-day) exploit that attacks Adobe Flash Player was discovered. Distributed through the Angler Exploit Kit, the zero-day program delivers malware that takes control of your computer to commit click fraud. These are the kind of risks that are out there.
Please call me at (443) 783-2269 if you need help protecting your computer!
