ONLINE SAFETY

With hacking, scams, “catfishing” and more, the internet can sometimes feel like a dangerous place. The good news is, there are a number of steps you can take to help improve your online safety and your exposure to these threats!

Password is not a good Password

Creating strong, unique passwords for all of your critical accounts is the best way to keep your personal and financial information safe. Avoid using passwords which contain easy to guess information such as your name, children’s names or date of birth.

Install a Firewall

A firewall is an electronic barrier that blocks unauthorized access to your computers and devices and is often included with comprehensive security software.

Be Click Smart

Be wary about clicking on suspect links or providing personal information online. Spam emails, phony”free”offers, click bait, online quizzes and more all use tactics to entice you to click on dangerous links or reveal personal information. If something sounds too good to be true - it probably is.

Be Careful What You Download

Cybercriminals may try to trick you into downloading viruses by disguising them in a program or app. Be careful of downloading apps that look suspicious or come from an untrustworthy site.

Keep your Privacy Settings On

Ensure your social media settings are set to private and that you are only followed by and “friends” with people you know in real life.

Only Make Purchases from Secure Sites

When online shopping, or visiting websites for online banking, ensure the site is secure - you can identify secure sites by looking for a padlock icon in the URL bar and an address that starts with https (the S stands for secure) rather than simply http.

Stay Alert to Scams and Report Them

Online scams are constantly evolving - check out Scamwatch for all of the latest scam alerts and to report a possible scam.

Don’t Overshare

Social media has provided an opportunity to share personal information with a single click. Be cautious of sharing too much information online, particularly surrounding identifying information, being away from your home for an extended period or your location.