Remote work, instant communication, online shopping – with the many benefits of the internet, it can be difficult to find a flaw. However, there is one big threat lurking in every corner of the web: cyber criminals. These individuals are skilled and ready to pounce on any opportunity to take advantage of vulnerable hardware or trick someone into giving them access to sensitive information.
Luckily, you can outsmart hackers by following the tips below.
Protect Your Personal Information
Preventing a cyberattack is often as simple as protecting your personal information. This includes your name, birthdate, Social Security number, and bank account number. If you ever receive a call or email with an offer out of the blue and all you have to do is give one of these pieces of personal information, it’s likely a scam. Hang up the phone or delete the email immediately.
You can also protect your sensitive information by shielding yourself from “shoulder surfers” at places like ATMs, and collecting your mail promptly. If you’re going on vacation, consider putting your mail on hold with the USPS until you return.
Prevent Identity Theft
Why is protecting your personal information important? Because cyber criminals may use it to steal your identity. Being aware of identity theft is vital to preventing it. It’s also essential to catching it quickly in unpreventable cases, to minimize the damage.
Pay attention to your bank statements and report any fraudulent charges to your bank immediately. Create complex passwords for all accounts that use your bank information and change them every 3 – 6 months. Review credit reports for yourself and your family (even children, whose identity theft can go unnoticed for years). This due diligence helps ensure that no one is opening accounts with your personal information.
Use Protection Tools
Even with the best offense, you sometimes need a little defense as well. Our protection tools go a long way in blocking unwanted cyberattacks and preventing identity thieves from gaining access to your information.
SecureIT℠
SecureIT℠ security systems are industry leaders at preventing viruses, spyware, and phishing scams from attacking your device. They work in the background with no user interaction, so you don’t have to worry while browsing and shopping online.
Password Genie℠
If you prefer to keep your personal information online for easy access, we highly recommend Password Genie℠ to store passwords, credit card numbers, PINs, garage codes, and any other data you would like encrypted and stored safely. This tool also helps greatly in generating and keeping track of complicated passwords.
FileHopper℠
Do you frequently send and receive files such as photos, music, documents, and more online? You’ll definitely want FileHopper℠ cloud storage, which secures and backs up your most important digital items so they will never get lost or stolen.
ProtectIQ™
If you are a Managed Wireless subscriber who uses the SmartWiFi app, ProtectIQ™ is another cybersecurity option. This premium feature works around the clock to stop unauthorized access of hackers and other cybercriminals to your network before they even reach your device. As cybercrime becomes more sophisticated, ProtectIQ™ offers peace of mind that all the devices in your home are extra secure.
We are all about scoring that great online shopping deal, digitally communicating with friends and family, and watching all the funny YouTube cat videos our hearts can handle. However, we care about your safety and want to make sure you protect yourself online. Using our industry-leading protection tools is a great place to start. Contact us today to sign up!
