Holiday Security Tips
Theft is real and common
Everyone thinks that it'll never happen to them. But that's not true. If you want proof, type in "2014 identity theft statistics" in google. You will be surprised by the results. The truth is that few people know and understand the real danger of virtual theft. People always talk about how to protect yourself from someone who mugs you on the street, but how do you protect yourself from something you cannot touch or see?
Holiday security tips
Disable GPS tracking on your phone when in stores
Doing this will keep shops from being able to track you while you shop. The idea of being tracked may not bother you, but it provides another barrier between your information and a possible hacker.
Do your online shopping on private and trusted networks
You should never handle money or personal information on public networks. This includes simply checking your bank account. A coffee shop is not the place to order that gift. You should always wait until you are on a private network to access any personal information. A good practice is to only shop online at your home.
Be careful when posting your agenda on social media
It's common to see people posting pictures of themselves at stores on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. This is an easy way for hackers to know where and when people are shopping. All social media platforms allow you to change your account settings. For example, if you are unaware of who can see your posts on Facebook, you should definitely read up on the Facebook privacy settings and tools.
Change your passwords sometime during the holiday season
It's good to change your passwords every once in a while. This time of year is a perfect time to create some new passwords for your bank and social media accounts.
Log out of your shopping cart when you are done
This is a very good practice because it adds another hindrance to hackers getting into your accounts. Even if your computer is compromised, your shopping accounts will be safe long enough for you to take action on protecting your computer.
Final thoughts
Security can be a real pain, and we, in the technology world, understand this. However, we mean it when we advise you to change your passwords, and we're not trying to dampen the holiday spirit by suggesting that you not post your every move on Twitter. These seemingly annoying measures have been proven to be effective, and they are meant to keep you from greater headaches later down the road. Adapting to the ever growing virtual universe is hard for everyone, and we at Igniting Business are doing our best to help. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via our information request form or call us at 573-303-0023.
