Online Theft Prevention Tips

ONLINE ID THEFT: A REAL THREAT TO YOU

Every day, companies like ours fall prey to well-resourced, increasingly sophisticated online criminal gangs. Exploiting email, instant messaging (IM) and the web, they trick their victims into sending them confidential personal and corporate information that they can then use to make money.

Every single employee is a potential target. No-one is immune. And though the precise tactics used by online criminals vary enormously, the impact is always the same – damaged corporate revenues and reputations; compromised careers and theft of individuals’ identities.

Effective in-house IT departments and fit-for-purpose acceptable use policies are part of the solution. But ultimately, the awareness and vigilance of individual employees represent the key to ensuring sensitive data is properly protected.

Recognize the risks. Understand the consequences. Always stay on your guard.
Protect yourself and your company.

>FIVE KEY DO’S!

·1 DO check the identity of anyone requesting confidential data from you online.
·2 DO think very carefully before submitting any personal information online.
·3 DO check the privacy policy of any website where you submit personal data – if it doesn’t have a clear and comprehensive policy, don’t submit.
·4 DO choose passwords that are unique mixtures of letters and numbers and remember to change them regularly.
·5 DO dispose of data securely, whether in paper or electronic form (including back-up files and hard drives).

>FIVE KEY DON’TS!

·6 DON’T click on email attachments unless you’re absolutely sure who sent them.
·7 DON’T click on links to websites whose legitimacy you have any doubts about.
·8 DON’T respond to emails asking you to update or confirm account IDs, PINs or passwords.
·9 DON’T include key personal or company information in social networking profiles (e.g. real date of birth).
·10 DON’T work on sensitive or highly confidential material in public WiFi hotspots.

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Tips published with permission of Ten Seng