9 Steps To Take Now To Be Certain Your Finances Are Protected Online
Posted by Jake Cohen

Seems like we’ve been inundated over the past 6 months with rampant cyber-theft. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, this is most likely the norm going forward and not just a blip on the radar. So, how can you stay protected online? While there is no way to absolutely, positively, 100% stay safe online, by taking these 9 steps, you will be as safe as possible.

 

1. Only Shop On Secure Websites. Before you type your credit card into a website, ensure it is secure. Look for “https://” in the address bar of your web browser when you are checking out.

2. Avoid Financial Transactions Over Public WiFi. You can’t guarantee that free or shared Wi-Fi access is secure and okay to connect for browsing the web, but avoid financial transactions on these connections.

3. Use A Secure Network For Financial Transactions. Protect your computer with a firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software.

4. Setup Banking Alerts For Unusual Or Large Transactions. Ask your bank to notify you of any suspicious or large transactions.

5. Use Credit Cards Instead Of Debit Cards. Most credit cards offer better fraud protection, plus if money is stolen from a debit card, then it has already left your bank account.

6. Pick Complex Passwords. Use phrase acronyms and keyboard combinations. Never use repeat passwords or words in the dictionary for your financial accounts.

7. Never Directly Answer Or Respond To An Email From Your Bank. Criminals have become very adept at appearing that they are a financial institution when they are not. Never rely on links in emails to access your financial accounts.

8. Install Available Security Updates On Your Computer, Smartphone and Tablets. Many cyber crimes target known security holes on your computing devices. Stay up to date to stay secure.

9. Check Your Bank Balances And Statements Regularly. Good old-fashioned visual checks on your balances and a scan of your transactions are the best practice to be sure that nothing has slipped through the cracks.

Microsoft has officially announced that it will retire support on the Windows 7 operating system and Windows Server 2008 R2 on January 14th, 2020. That means any computer or server with these operating systems installed will be completely exposed to serious hacker attacks aimed at taking control of your network, stealing data, crashing your system and inflicting a host of other business-crippling problems you do NOT want to have to deal with.

We’ll conduct an assessment and determine what specific computers and servers will be affected by this announcement, but also to assess other security, backup and efficiency factors that could be costing you in productivity and hard dollars.

After performing this assessment, we are confident that we will not only be able to expose a number of security risks and issues that you weren’t aware of, but also find ways to make your business FAR more efficient and productive. We also want to assure you that this consultation will arm you with the information and facts you need to best address this issue. Should you decide to seek our advice and services after this consultation, we’ll welcome that opportunity. However, if you choose to take another direction or implement it on your own, that’s fine too.

P.S. — If you are uncertain whether you have computers and servers with the Windows 7 operating system or Windows Server 2008 R2 installed, give us a call. Part of our Assessment will be to run a full inventory and diagnostic of all the servers, PCs and devices connected to your network.

Simply Fill out the form to the right to request your assessment and migration plan.