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Subscribe Back Issues AOC Home Page October 14, 2010 |
Five Tips for Online Safety
1. Guard your private data. Don’t transmit social security, credit card or bank account routing numbers via e-mail. Make purchases only over secure websites, indicated by a lock icon on your browser’s status bar or a URL beginning with "https." Reconsider doing business with a company lacking a privacy policy. 2. Use passwords effectively. Don’t share them or keep them in plain view. Avoid common words, and names and birthdays of family and friends. Use a combination of letters and numbers in both upper and lower case. Change your password every 90 days and consider using a different password for each of your online accounts. 3. Secure your browser and e-mail applications. Check the Tools or Options menus for built-in security and privacy features. Regularly update security software patches. Filter spam out of your e-mail inbox. Never open an attachment in an e-mail from an unknown sender. 4. Install protective software. Turn on automatic update to download the most recent virus "antidotes." Put up a firewall that blocks hackers from tampering with your information. 5. Beware of "phishing." Never respond to an e-mail requiring that you update or validate account information under threat of dire consequences. No legitimate company would make this request. Instead, forward the e-mail to spam@uce.gov and report it to the company being impersonated. This information brought to you by Liberty Mutual and the Association of Old Crows. Our partnership with Liberty Mutual offers competitive rates and superior service to AOC members. For more information, please visit us at www.libertymutual.com/crows . © 2009 Liberty Mutual Group. All rights reserved. |
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