Can You Protect Yourself From Online Hackers?

Media / Blog

Can You Protect Yourself From Online Hackers?

Prev

Top 5 Celebrities Who Had Tax Problems With The IRS

April 11, 2012

We have seen a steady rise in online shopping with consumers over the last decade. Many people choose to purchase their goods and services online versus waiting in lines and rummaging through department stores. Over the next ten years, we'll likely see more smart phones give all of us the online wallet as near field communications become one of the next exciting inventions that go mainstream. With all of these types of online and wireless payments, protecting yourself from unwanted hackers is going to become more important than ever. It isn't just the small guy that is at risk. Recently, Global Payments was the latest company to fall victim to a large-scale hacking incident. The company said hackers stole debit and credit card account information for nearly 1.5 million consumers. (source: lowcards.com)

Unfortunately, this has become a fairly common news story. Last year, hackers stole personal information from a reported 24 million accounts from Sony Online Entertainment. In 2010, 130 million accounts were stolen from a payment processing company, Heartland Payment Systems. In 2007, 46 million accounts were stolen from TJ Maxx and Marshall's. Even MasterCard had 40 million accounts compromised in 2005. (source: lowcards.com) That is on the corporate side, and you can only image what it looks like on the personal side.

In my opinion, the most important precaution is to check your credit and debit card accounts regularly for any unauthorized charges. Don't just look for large purchases. People who find your credit card or steal your credit card information sometimes make small transactions since they are more likely to fly under the radar. It seems there is always a gas station or department store around the corner so they can make a few purchases before you find out. By checking your accounts every other day, you'll likely catch major hacking on your card and be able to notify your credit card company before it becomes a problem.

Here are some your smart money moves tips on protecting yourself from unwanted hackers with your credit and bank information.

1.Don't store passwords and change your passwords from time to time. Many people get lazy and have the computer remember your passwords. If you choose to do this and lose your computer, hackers will have easy access to get at your information. Don't publicly post anything you may use as a password: your birth date, pet's name, mother's maiden name, or your school. Identity thieves can use the information you post to guess your password.

2. Do not email your credit card number to anyone. No financial institution or legitimate company will contact you by phone or email to ask for your social security number, credit card number or other personal information.

There are many phishing items that I see from companies that look like they are your bank, credit card, or PayPal account. Be careful about opening these as hackers may be looking to steal your information.

3. Check your credit reports at least once per year. You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three credit bureaus. Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call (877) 322-8228 to order. By doing a thorough review of your credit, you can catch information that is inaccurate before it sticks with your credit record.

4. If you use a wireless router, password protect it and enable the encryption to scramble the data you send online. I'm amazed that some people still have an unsecure network whether it is a residential or commercial router. This is important as someone could come close by and hack into your network without the protective encryption code you should put in place when you set up your network.

5 Ask your bank if it has free software to protect your bank account. Some banks and credit unions will offer free software to protect your bank account. You should ask questions about security and how your bank checks activity to see how they actually monitor the accounts…

There are so many exciting inventions that have evolved to make our lives easier every day. Shopping through the internet, using programs like square, and soon to be main stream electronic wallet are all advancements that should make our purchasing process simpler. However, you need to make sure you protect yourself from unwanted hackers or you could end up with a nightmare on Credit Card Street!

Visit to www.oxygenfinancial.net to request a free consultation with the leading financial experts for people in their 20's, 30's, and 40's in the country.

Written by:

Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®

Co-CEO and Founder of oXYGen Financial, Inc - The Leaders in Gen X & Y Financial Advice

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Oxygen Financial is not affiliated with NFPAS. NFPAS does not provide tax or legal advice. This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives and Investment Advisor Representatives of NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS) may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact NFPAS Compliance Department at 512-697-6000. PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. NFP Advisor Services, LLC makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is NFP Advisor Services, LLC liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.

Next

6 Potential Red Flags That Can Get You Audited?

Sign Up

Sign up for our exclusive Sunday Paper with a weekly market commentary, insightful personal finance blogs, and life changing education guides.

Email sign up

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. https://Bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Kestra IS and Investment Advisor Representatives of Kestra AS may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact Kestra IS Compliance Department at 844-553-7872.

PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. Kestra IS and Kestra AS makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is Kestra IS and Kestra AS liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.