10 Ways to Protect Yourself

Protecting your identity is ultimately within your control. Here’s a security checklist to guard your information online:

1. Use Anti-virus Software 
   Anti-virus software protects your system from viruses and Trojan horse programs which can capture and send information found on your system without your consent.
   
   
2. Use a Personal Firewall 
   Personal firewalls can be either hardware (a device) or software and protect your computer by preventing connections to it from the Internet.
   
   
3. Use Your Own Computer
   Publicly accessible computers such as those found at kiosks, libraries, and Internet cafes are typically more vulnerable to viruses and other malicious software which may record your username, account number and password.
   
   
4. Use Encryption When Available
   Encryption secures information and prevents it from being read by potential fraudsters.  Keeping your browser and operating system up to date and using the strongest encryption available will help prevent fraud.
   
   
5. Create a Safe, Hard-to-Guess Password
   Don’t write down or share your password. It should be difficult to guess, mixing capital and lower case letters, numbers and punctuation marks. Change it periodically.
   
   
6. Protect Your Account Number 
    Do not share your account number with anyone.
   
   
7. Keep Your Operating System and Browser Updated 
   Regularly download security updates and patches for your personal computer. Keep your Internet browser up-to-date to utilize the most current security technologies.
   
   
8. Ensure Third-Party Applications Are Up-to-Date
   It is also important to download updates to any third-party applications installed on your personal computer (such as Java, Adobe Reader, iTunes, etc.) on a regular basis to protect from application-based vulnerabilities.
   
   
9. Review Your Financial History Regularly
   Regularly monitor statement and transaction history for all financial accounts as well as your credit report. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized activity.
   
   
10. Report Suspected Fraud
    Notify us immediately to report suspicious activity. You should also notify the Federal Trade Commission and the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion Corp.