Posted On: December 16, 2016 by Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri in: Cyber Security Online Services
‘Tis the season - for shopping that is! With three of the largest days in retail behind us, statistics show that Americans are shopping online now more than ever. At Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri, we want to help protect your information while shopping online, and offer these simple tips to keep you safe:
Never Use Public Wifi.
While this can certainly be tempting at times, public wifi is often open to a variety of people. These individuals will have the potential to look at what you’re browsing, and even get into your personal device. To protect your information, we recommend only using secure wifi at your home or business.
Always Log Out After Your Purchase.
It may seem mundane to log out every time you’re done using a site or app, but it does add an additional layer of protection. Should your device become compromised, it is paramount to limit the various portals someone could access. By logging out, and not saving your passwords on your device or computer, you can ensure you limit their scavenging as much as possible.
Only Use Your Credit Card for Online Purchases.
You are able to use your debit card for online purchases; however, we highly advise against it. With countless opportunities for your information to become compromised online, having your bank account attached to your purchases could cause more severe damage. Many credit card companies now offer a zero liability guarantee, which ensures that you will not be liable for any fraudulent transactions that occur, decreasing your personal risk when shopping online.
Verify the Site Before You Buy.
With many cyber criminals now using domains nearly identical to the real thing, it may take an extra glance to make sure you’re truly on the correct site. The first thing you want to check is the url. If the web address starts with “https”, then you are off to a good start. Alternatively, if it is only an “http” address, then the site is not secure. Another key is spelling. Often fraudulent sites will be spelled similar, but not identical, to the site you’re looking for. Typically, if you are using Google, the official site will show up at the top of the page.
Enjoy all the season has to offer this winter, and all the deals too! For further cyber security information, or to learn what to do after your identity has been compromised, CLICK HERE.
Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri
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