Many professionals in the U.S. rely on the Internet for their daily work. The Pew Research Center recently found that more than 90% of us go online every day and cannot perform our jobs without online access. But with that access comes risk as cybercriminals are always looking for ways to steal information. Here are four fraud-fighting tactics to help protect you and your financial future.
- Scrutinize Every Email and Text: Phishing and smishing attacks are everywhere. Before clicking a link or opening an attachment, double-check the sender. Do you know them? Do you trust them? Is the email actually from the company being advertised? Or is it a fraud? And if you are taken to a website that requests a username and password, close it and go to the site by typing in the URL or using a bookmark you trust. This will help avoid giving your login credentials to the wrong person or entity.
- Use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) on Every Account: This is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your accounts from takeover. Add MFA to your email accounts, financial logins, cloud services, and any other logins that allow it. Additionally, employ an authenticator app (Google Authenticator and/or Microsoft Authenticator) over SMS text codes when possible.
- Monitor Your Accounts Daily: Financial and intellectual security are important. In addition to checking email and other work-related sites, log in to your vital accounts on a daily basis. Look for any signs that someone or some “thing” (AI) could be tampering with your world. If you spot any issues, update your password(s) and notify the proper people/entities.
- Keep Your Software Updated: This includes your computers, smartphones, smartwatches, etc. Outdated software often has vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain access to your personal life and network. In addition to updating firmware and software, employ a backup strategy that keeps three copies of your data on two different types of media (with one of them being physical). If possible, store one of those copies in a place outside your home or office.
Boost Your Financial Wellness
More Financial Wellness Matters blogs on topics ranging from financial self-care to protecting your financial health are coming soon. Twice a month, we’ll dig a bit deeper into the relationship between financial health and overall well-being, shedding light on the behaviors and beliefs that drive money relationships. With simple tips and proven insights, we hope to enhance your financial well-being and help you live a healthier, happier life.