With the proliferation of digital technology, cybercrime has been on the rise. Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to protect yourself from online fraud. In general, cybercriminals want to make their money as quickly and easily as possible. By making their job a little harder, you can keep yourself much safer. Some cybercrime prevention tips, courtesy of Norton, are discussed below.

  1. Keep Your Computer Updated. As annoying and inconvenient as it might be to constantly have systems update messages popping up on your computer screen, these messages could be lifesavers. Keeping your computer up to date helps keep hackers from taking advantage of any software flaws. If your computer offers any auto-update options, it is a good idea to take advantage of those so that you don’t have to manually check for updates and you don’t have to interrupt what you’re working on in order to update your computer. Along these lines, it is a good idea to install security software on your computer.
  1. Make Sure Your Computer Is Configured Securely. This is especially important with Internet applications. The strongest security settings give you the most control over what happens online but can also be frustrating with all the questions presented and the inability to do what you want to do. Therefore, you should choose the right level of security and privacy based on your needs.
  1. Choose Strong Passwords and Keep Them Safe. It is best to choose a password that can’t be easily guessed, for example your name, your pet’s name, or your birthday. The best passwords are eight characters are more and are a combination of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Keep your passwords in a safe place where others cannot easily access them. It is best not to use the same password for all of your online services, especially where money is involved. It is recommended that you change your password at least every 90 days.
  1. Protect Your Personal Information. Use caution and common sense when sharing your personal information online. If you receive emails asking you for personal information, do not respond. Keep an eye out for suspicious emails. Suspicious emails might include misspellings, poor grammar, odd phrasings, or notifications that you must act immediately or else something bad will happen. If an email includes a link, type the URL into the search bar rather than clicking directly on the link. Keep in mind that websites that ask you for personal information will have the heading https:// rather than just http://. The “s” stands for secure. Be sure to check the website’s privacy policies before entering any personal information. It is advisable to turn off any auto-save options.
  1. If An Offer Looks Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is. Don’t fall for anything “free” or for any notifications that you “won” a contest or a giveaway.
  1. Check Your Bank and Credit Card Statements Regularly. The impact of cybercrime is greatly reduced if caught and addressed early. It is a good idea to check your bank and credit card statements at least once a month and keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

If you are concerned about a potential cybercrime, contact FORLETTA today. Our Pittsburgh- and Cleveland-based private investigators are experts in surveillance. We can help you solve any cyber crimes and keep you safe.

Source:

Norton by Symantec. Cybercrime Prevention.