Cyber Monday is finally here! If you’re like many, you are looking to take advantage of the latest online deals for your holiday shopping list. Attractive online ads and websites can be a great opportunity to get deals; however, bad actors are always on the lookout for their next victim. Taking steps to protect yourself and your data from cyber threats is essential. Our team has your back with some helpful tips for how you can protect your data and devices so you can stay safe this holiday season.
1. Beware of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: Scammers often exploit the allure of unbelievable deals. If a discount seems too good to be true, it’s wise to be skeptical. Stick to reputable and well-known online retailers to minimize the risk of falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
2. Shop from Secure Websites: Ensure the websites you shop from have a secure connection. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. This indicates that the connection is encrypted, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data during the transaction.
3. Review and Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your bank and credit card activity for any unauthorized transactions. Our Online Banking dashboard and Mid Penn Bank Mobile app allow you to monitor account transactions in near real time.
4. Utilize Account Alerts
You can also set up Account Alerts to receive push notifications to your device regarding essential activity.
Account alerts can be created for everything from transactions exceeding a specific threshold to invalid login attempts. You can create and update these alerts directly from our Mid Penn Bank Mobile app. Visit our Online Banking page for more information.
5. Think before you click:
Links on websites or ads can be tempting to click. Wait! On laptops / desktops hover your cursor over the link to inspect the destination URL. On mobile devices tap and hold the link to inspect the URL before proceeding. If the destination URL does not match the intent of the anchor text from the link, don’t click the link. Malicious links are a favorite method of bad actors to get unsuspecting users to download harmful files or divulge sensitive personal information.
6. Protect Personal Information: During the checkout process, provide only the necessary information. Avoid oversharing personal details that could be exploited by cybercriminals. Legitimate online retailers typically require minimal information for a transaction.
7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Two-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password. This often involves receiving a code on your mobile device or email. Even if a hacker manages to obtain your password, they would still need the second authentication factor to access your account.
8. Update Your Software Regularly: Keeping your operating system, antivirus software, and applications up to date is crucial. Software updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities. Regularly check for and install updates to ensure your devices are equipped with the latest protection against emerging threats.
9. Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Phishing attempts often come in the form of deceptive emails or messages designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information. Avoid clicking on links from unknown or suspicious sources. Instead, independently navigate to the official website by typing the URL in your browser to verify the legitimacy of the request.
10. Connect only to Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Free Wi-Fi or public networks are an attractive option for browsing holiday deals. However, with convenience comes concern. Hackers can use look alike networks to intercept information from users who unknowingly connect to their networks. Protect yourself by connecting to a secured network you know and trust.
Stay safe this holiday shopping season by practicing good cyber habits. Follow Mid Penn Bank on social media for tips on how to protect yourself and your data all year long.
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