10 Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Cyber Fraud

Cybercriminals frequently gain access to information by using known flaws in the software and operating systems that run your computer or phone. Updates are crucial; patching these flaws and vulnerabilities can make it less likely that you will become a victim of a successful cyberattack.

Cybercriminals also use technical attacks to deploy viruses, botnets, malware, keyloggers and spyware to infect or take over your machine. Most new machines will come with a free antivirus software trial preinstalled that you can purchase once the trial is over, but there are literally hundreds of antivirus applications available. Make sure the software solutions you choose provide adequate protection, keep them updated with the latest virus definitions and schedule full scans to run at least once per week.

Change your passwords every three to six months, create strong passwords that are difficult to guess, and do not repeat passwords across multiple websites. New research indicates that long passwords can be just as effective as passphrases if you avoid terms or names that can be directly tied to you. Remember to use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols whenever possible.

For a brief description of passwords and passphrases, visit SANS Security Awareness.

It may seem daunting to actively manage all your devices, but starting with your internet router will improve your security at the source. Change the password from the default provided by your ISP, and choose the appropriate encryption, starting with at least Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2). Also, check your router to see what is connected; the number of items connected may surprise you. To view a quick guide regarding router security, read Router Security: How to Setup Wi-Fi Router Securely from Norton.

For mobile devices, enable a PIN/passcode and choose the option within your settings for auto-lock. For computers, keep multiple profiles, which will enable you to apply restrictions to accounts used by younger children.

Even the best machine or device may become compromised or crash. Regular backups to an external hard drive will help you recover your information in these situations. They can be purchased at any electronics store and programmed to perform nightly backups of either specific files or everything on your computer. Make use of redundant backups by using an external hard drive and a secure cloud provider for irreplaceable items, such as family photos.

Young children are vulnerable to even the most basic of cyber tricks. Teenagers, while savvy, are online more frequently and often visit riskier sites, such as file sharing platforms for movies, videos and games. And older family members often have what every criminal wants: financial assets and limited digital knowledge.

Certain types of personal information can be used to commit fraud, such as account takeovers, unauthorized money transfers or new lines of credit opened in your name. This may result from malware on your computer, social engineering that tricks you into giving personal information over the phone or internet, or a thief stealing your mail or trash to access personally identifiable information. You can protect against identity theft by following several best practices — including shredding sensitive documents, avoiding suspicious links and attachments in your email, learning to recognize and block smishing attacks and reviewing your credit report on a regular basis.

If you discover that your information has been exposed, you may want to enable a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit information. A fraud alert on credit reports requires potential creditors to contact you and obtain permission to open new accounts or lines of credit. A security freeze may help block institutions or lenders from accessing your credit report, unless a pre-set PIN is provided to “thaw” the report, which prevents them from opening new accounts in your name.

Do not automatically hand over social security numbers, account numbers or other highly sensitive information just because you are asked. Also, never release your credit or debit card information to someone who initiates contact with you.