With more people than ever shopping online this holiday season, scams are an even bigger risk.
Always look for the little lock symbol or “https” is the web address. That lets you know your traffic to and from the webpage is encrypted. Encryption is standard these days for any kind of e-commerce site. If you don’t see it, it could mean you’re on the wrong site, according to Consumer Reports.
It’s more important than ever to use strong passwords
A strong password isn’t always enough to keep your personal and financial information safe. Many security experts recommend safeguarding your accounts with another layer of defense, namely multifactor authentication (MFA…aka two-factor authentication).
When you turn on MFA, which is available for financial sites, social media sites, and many others, you need a second factor in addition to your password to log in. That way, if a hacker gets your password, they still won’t be able to access your account. Probably the most common way to use MFA is to have the site send you a text message with a code that you enter into a pop-up box.
To beef up your password security, many experts recommend using an authentication app.
Cut down on data collection and prevent hackers from invading your laptop, tablet and even your phone. To do a thorough digital cleanup, there’s a free wonderful tool called #SecurityPlanner developed by internet watchdog group @citizenlab, now run by @ConsumerReports:
- Safely backup files
- Browse online without tracking
- Avoid phishing scams
- Prevent identity theft
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