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Some tips to prevent "hackers" from gaining access to any of your accounts
As Hossana mentioned, most common hack reports come from users who have shared their login details with someonebody else. This is a big mistake of course. I made some time to write a post that could help anyone protecting any of your online accounts against "hacking attempts".
- Don’t share your password with anyone, even family members.
Some people believe that everyone has a good intention and will keep their login credentials safe from others. Wrong! There are many people who want to mess with you by abusing your accounts.
If you come across a situation where you really have to share your password with someone else, make sure you change your password right after the other person did what was necessary for you. - Create a strong password
I've seen it happen a lot that people use a really simple password just so 'they can remember it'. Do not under estimate the human brain, practise your hard password a few times and save yourself a lot of trouble.
There is also a tool which can help you generate a strong password: Password Meter - Save your password in a safe place
I personally use this tool and I must say, I love it! It's called KeePass. It's a place where you can store all your passwords into and protect it from unautorized viewers. Only you can access it! Read more about it on: KeePass.info - Change your password regularly, and avoid reusing old passwords
Even though you have a really strong password, that does not automatically mean you are safe for the rest of your life on the internet. Some websites/games etc. store your password unencrypted in their database which it is not something you can control nor find out without any hacking skills. Hackers are always attempting to get access to that database and hope to find usefull information which they can sell. Sometimes they publish all that database info on the internet in plain text, which makes all your information accessable to the World Wide Web. When you change your password every few months, it limits how long a stolen password is useful to a stealthy attacker, how long he/she has access to your account. If someone steals your password and you don't know about it, the attacker could eavesdrop for an unlimited time and obtain all sorts of information about you or do other damage. - When using a public computer, always sign out when your session is complete to prevent other people from accessing your account
Always click the “log out” button to terminate your access to your brokerage firm’s Web site. Access may not be terminated if you simply close or minimize your browser or type in a new web address when you’re done using your online account. Other users of the computer might be able to re-enter the site and have access to your account online if you do not properly log out. You also potentially expose yourself to “session stealing” if you have multiple Web pages open while logged on to your brokerage account. Avoid multi-tasking on multiple Web pages when checking your financial accounts online or, if you must visit another site, use a different type of browser rather than opening another window. - Maintain your computer security
Personal firewalls and security software packages (with anti-virus, anti-spam, and spyware detection features) are a must these days, especially those who engage in online financial transactions. Make sure that your computer has up-to-date security software, including security patches, that the software is configured for automatic updates, and that the software is always turned on. For laptops, be sure to use encryption software. Computer hardware and software providers also maintain security pages on their Web sites with tips for checking and improving the security of your system. - Check for Secure Web Sites
When you access your brokerage account online, check to ensure that the log in page indicates that it is a secure site. The address of a secure Web site connection starts with “https” instead of just “http” and has a key or closed padlock in the status bar (which typically appears in the lower right-hand corner of your screen). When you click on the padlock, the security certificate should confirm the identity of the site you are visiting. - Be careful downloading
When you download a program or file from an unknown source, you risk loading malicious software programs on your computer. Download software only from sites you know. Be wary of free software because it can be accompanied by other software such as spyware. Do not install software unless you know what it is and what it does and do not click on links in pop-up windows. Using anti-spyware software helps protect you from such programs. - Don’t respond to emails requesting personal information
Legitimate companies will not ask you to provide or verify sensitive information through email. So please ignore emails that look like they're sent from a trustworthy source, for example your financial institution. When you receive an email asking for your personal information and login credentials, call the company yourself.
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Post time 2014-9-11 01:54:19
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I hope this helps everyone out there to be a little more safe on the internet.
