Protect Your Bank and Credit Card
Information
Whether someone gets into your
system remotely, or if they are sitting at your desk looking in
your system for information, you may be easily giving it to them
by storing your credit card information or bank information on
your computer.
There are many programs, such as
Microsoft Wallet and Microsoft Money, which will store banking
and credit card information. This is bad. Avoid using these
programs. When you need to use your credit card to make a
purchase, take it out of your wallet, and punch in the numbers
and information the old fashioned way. Do not store it.
Furthermore, make sure that the
company you are making the purchase through is not storing your
information. If you are unsure, email them and ask them. Also,
make sure that they are using a SSL encryption connection for
their shopping cart, and make sure that it is a trusted site. It
is better to use one of the online payment systems, such as
Paypal, to make all of your online purchases. This site does
require your banking and credit card information, but your
information is secure – and encrypted. But, you must work to
keep your login information for the site protected.
The reason you should strongly
consider this type of site to make your purchases is that you
have the ability to dispute any purchases, and you will receive
an email anytime any activity occurs in your account. Use an
email address that is web based, and don’t give out that email
address to anyone – use it solely for Paypal and purchases.
If you intend to use your credit
card online to shop, make it a habit to only use one credit
card, for all purchases, at all times. This makes it much easier
to track. Keep a pad and paper near your computer, and record
every transaction you make. Then, when your credit card
statement comes in, check to make sure that those are the only
transactions on the card. If possible, only use that card for
your online transactions. Don’t use it for offline purchases.
To protect yourself even more, use
an actual credit card for online purchases, instead of a debit
card. Credit cards offer you more protection in the event of
fraud. Never send your credit card or bank information through
email. When making an online purchase, look for the little
padlock emblem in your browsers status bar. Also, make sure that
the website URL starts with https:// - as opposed to http://.
The https:// means that the site is using a secure connection.
Security Checklist. Check if you have enough
protection
10 Steps to Protect Yourself and
Your Family
