Midterms_ABTT

Online Security

Protecting personal information online, such as full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, address, and mother’s maiden name, to prevent identity theft.

Identity Theft

The act of using someone else's personal information, such as usernames, passwords, driver’s license number, credit card information, bank account numbers, signature, and passport number, for fraudulent activities.

Actions of Thieves

Thieves can access bank accounts, open new accounts, transfer balances, apply for credit, make purchases, hide criminal activities, obtain passports, and receive government benefits using stolen information.

Victim of Identity Theft: First Step

Contact local police to file a report if you become a victim of identity theft.

Victim of Identity Theft: Financial Institutions

Contact your bank or financial institution, and credit card company if you become a victim of identity theft.

Victim of Identity Theft: Credit Bureaus

Contact TransUnion and Equifax to report identity theft.

Fraudulent Account Confirmation Letter

Request a letter from the business confirming the fraudulent account isn’t yours, you aren’t liable, and it was removed from your credit report.

Prevention: Distrust Unsolicited Contacts

Distrust any unsolicited emails, telephone calls, faxes, and mail attempting to get personal or financial information.

Prevention: Secure Documents

Remove unnecessary identity documents from your wallet or purse and store them in a secure place.

Prevention: Regular Checks

Regularly check your credit reports, bank statements, and credit card statements and report any irregularities.

Prevention: Card Handling

Swipe your own card during transactions and keep it in sight if a cashier must handle it.

Prevention: PIN Protection

Protect your personal identification number (PIN) when using an instant teller or a PIN pad.

Prevention: PIN Knowledge

Memorize personal identification numbers and avoid writing them on cards.

Prevention: Billing Cycles

Know the billing cycles for your credit and debit cards.

Prevention: Document Disposal

Shred personal and financial documents before discarding them.

Prevention: Address Changes

Notify the post office and financial institutions when you change your address.

Spam

Unsolicited, bulk messages sent through electronic messaging systems.

Phishing

Deceptive messages that attempt to acquire sensitive information by posing as trustworthy entities.

Phishing: Account Information

Phishing messages often ask you to update, validate, or confirm account information with threats of consequences.

Email 'From' Address

Always check the 'from' email address in suspicious emails, but be aware that this can be spoofed.

Website Address Verification

Look closely at a website's address line to ensure it matches the address mentioned in the email.

Spam/Phishing: Credible Phone Number

When verifying requests, use a telephone number from a credible source like a bill or phone book, not from the suspicious communication.

Spam/Phishing: Information Safety

Never email personal or financial information to unfamiliar individuals or businesses.

Data Mining

Websites of many companies mine your datain order to focus their advertising based on your preferences.

Browsing Privacy: Social Media

To protect your browsing privacy, log off when not using social media.

Browsing Privacy: Cookies

To protect your browsing privacy, regularly clean empty the normal cookies in your browser.

Browsing Privacy: History

To protect your browsing privacy, erase your history on a regular basis.

Social Media Links

Be cautious when clicking links in messages you receive from friends on your social website, as they could be fakes.

Social Media: 'Forgot Password'

Hackers typically click on the 'Forgot your password?' link on a website’s account login page.

Strong Password: Length

Ensure your password has a minimum length of eight characters.

Strong Password: Combinations

Use a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and non-alphanumeric characters in your passwords.

Password Creativity

Use the first letter of each word of a memorable sentence or phrase, then make it even tougher by changing some of the letters to numbers.

Online Banking

Guard against malicious software by installing anti-virus, anti- spyware and Internet firewall tools on all your devices. Keep them active and updated.

Online Banking

Only download app directly from your bank or reputable app store that your bank directs you to.