finances
Internet banking essentials
Tips To proTecT your money online
W
hat could be more convenient than paying bills and managing your finances with a click of a button? Just make sure this convenience doesn’t come at a price. While banking sites use security software that makes them difficult to hack, cyber criminals resort to other means to get your personal information. To help you protect yourself – and your money – online, the federal government has created GetCyberSafe.ca. This site gives practical tips, including looking out for the following threats:
Phishing: Cyber criminals create fake emails that look like ‘real’ emails from your bank asking you to reply with personal information. A bank would never ask for this information by email. Avoid links in emails that take you to websites other than your banking site. Malware: This is malicious software that cyber criminals spread online and can get onto your computer. While you believe you’re banking safely, it can steal account information, hijack your account and transfer funds without your knowledge. Pharming: These attacks involve redirecting your access from a legitimate website to a fake one that looks genuine. It may include extra fields on forms that you enter (SIN, date of birth, mother’s maiden name) and, without realizing it, you submit this information directly to the attacker. When banking online. look for the “lock” icon and https:// at the beginning of the website address – a sign that the connection is secure. GetCyberSafe.ca also has tips on creating strong passwords of at least 8 characters long – a must if you are banking online. NC
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