Give
personal information over encrypted websites only. If you’re shopping or banking online, stick to sites that
use encryption to protect your information as it travels from your computer to
their server. To determine if a website is encrypted, look for “https” at the
beginning of the web address (the “s” is for secure). Some websites use
encryption only on the sign-in page, but if any part of your session isn’t
encrypted, the entire account and your financial information could be
vulnerable. Look for https on every page of the site you’re on, not just where
you sign in.
Protect
your passwords. The longer the password, the
tougher it is to crack. Use at least 10 characters; 12 is ideal for most
home users. Mix letters, numbers and special characters. Try to be
unpredictable – don’t use your name, birthdate or common words. Don’t use the
same password for many accounts. If it’s stolen from you – or from one of
the companies with which you do business – it can be used to take over all your
accounts. Don’t share passwords on the phone, in texts or by email.
Legitimate companies will not send you messages asking for your password.
If you get such a message, it’s probably a scam. Keep your passwords in a
secure place, out of plain sight.
Don’t
assume ads or emails are from reputable companies. Check out companies to find out if they are legitimate.
When you’re online, a little research can save you a lot of money and reduce
your security risk. If you see an ad or an offer that looks too good, take a
moment to check out the company behind it. Type the company or product name
into your favorite search engine with terms like “review,” “complaint” or
“scam.” If you find bad reviews, you’ll have to decide if the offer is worth
the risk. If you can’t find contact information for the company, take your
business and your financial information elsewhere. The fact that a site
features an ad for another site doesn’t mean that it endorses the advertised
site, or is even familiar with it.
Don’t
overshare on social media – Do a
web search of your name and review the results. Most likely, the results will
turn up your past addresses, the names of people living in the household as
well social media accounts and your photographs. All of these items are
valuable to identity thieves. Even a social media post boasting of a new car
can help thieves bypass security verification questions that depend on
financial data that only you should know. Think before you post!
Back
up your files. No system is completely secure.
Copy important files and your federal and state tax returns onto a removable
disc or a back-up drive, and store it in a safe place. If your computer is
compromised, you’ll still have access to your files.
Save
your tax returns and records.
Your federal and state tax forms are important financial documents you may need
for many reasons, ranging from home mortgages to college financial. Print out a
copy and keep in a safe place. Make an electronic copy in a safe spot as well.
These steps also can help you more easily prepare next year’s tax return. If
you store sensitive tax and financial records on your computer, use a file
encryption program to add an additional layer of security should your computer
be compromised.
Original
Source- https://www.irs.gov/uac/Tips-to-Protect-Your-Personal-Information-While-Online
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