Online Security Tips
These tips will help you stay safe online. Be sure to also check out our
How to Tell If a Site Is Secure page. The sites listed below will also offer
you more information on staying safe online.
Web Sites
If you’re visiting a site and suspect that it may be fraudulent, leave it immediately
and do not enter any personal information on the page. Then, report the site using
our Fraudulent Site Reporting page.
Never submit personal information to a Web site unless you trust the business. Even
then, be certain that the page is secure. Learn how to
tell if a Web site is secure.
Choose passwords that are difficult to guess, ideally using a combination of numbers,
as well as uppercase and lowercase letters. Change your passwords often.
When you’re not online, make sure you disconnect from the Internet. Consider adding
a personal firewall to protect your
computer. And always keep your anti-virus software up to date.
Email
Be careful when reading and replying to emails. Some criminals send fraudulent emails
(also called phishing) designed
to look like they are sent from a legitimate business in an attempt to have you
send or click on a link and enter personal information. Occasionally, visiting a
link from a fraudulent email may also download a virus to your computer.
Never reply to an email that requests your personal information, like account numbers,
PINs, credit card numbers, date of birth, etc. No legitimate financial institution
or business will ask you for personal information via email.
If you receive an email from someone you don’t know and it contains an attachment,
delete the email immediately. Do not open the email or download the attachment.
Do not even click on the attachment; it may contain a harmful virus.
Helpful Sites
To learn even more about staying safe online, visit these trusted sites: