3. 3
1
If a bank calls or texts you, don’t give out any information. Call them
back at their official number, if they need info from you.
3 Don’t overshare on social media
5 Purchase identity theft services and consider a family plan
2 Review your credit reports, phone bill and credit card statements
4 Put a freeze on your credit and your kids as well
6 Create social media and USPS informed delivery accounts
IDENTITY THEFT
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs
4. 4
20% of all English-speaking respondents answered "pizza“ to their favorite food.
“What is your mother's maiden name?" can often be answered by searching
through the publicly available birth and marriage records.
Knowledge-based authentication answers can either be secure or memorable;
very rarely are they both.
THE FLAWS OF KNOWLEDGE-BASED
AUTHENTICATION
6. 6
1 Back up your data!
3 Turn on automatic security patching
5 Look into purchasing a robust anti-malware software package
2
4 Use strong wireless encryption at home (WPA2)
6 Make sure your computer is current (no Windows 7 or XP)
SECURING YOUR HOME
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/antivirus-software.htm
Organize and centralize your data
7. 7
1 Encrypt your laptop if you are worried about it being lost or stolen
3 Secure WiFi devices, such as surveillance cameras and other on-line
gadgets
2
SECURING YOUR HOME (cont.)
Don’t reuse passwords and consider using a password manager
8. 8
1 Only use credit cards or PayPal - no debit cards
3 Never give more info than needed
5 Don’t use sites that require you to enter personal information to
access coupons or discount codes
2
4 Don’t save your credit card information with companies that are
not name brand companies
6 Be vigilant about reviewing your credit card statements
ON-LINE SHOPPING
Shop directly from on-line store, don’t click on social media ads
9. 9
1
Don’t pay credit card bills via a link from an email – pay directly at
vendor’s site
3 Don’t go “out of bounds” for communication
2
4
ON-LINE SHOPPING (cont.)
Always be skeptical of any unexpected invoice, or request to get
or pay for anything by using gift cards
Beware of deals that are too good to be true
10. 10
1 Don’t overshare!
3 Clean up your friends list
5 Stop geo-tagging photos when you are on vacation
2
4 No legitimate company will ever ask for your password via email
or phone
6
Don't post your birth date, or at least don't post the year you were
born
SOCIAL MEDIA
Only accept friend requests from people that you know
11. 11
1
When you receive an email from a friend about their account being
deleted, directly contact them to confirm
3 Learn how to regain control of a hacked account
5
2
4 Your name, profile picture and cover photo are public
SOCIAL MEDIA (cont.)
Make sure that your privacy settings are set so that your friends
list, photos, and personal information are hidden from the public
Whatever you post online, stays online!
