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When
it comes to account hijacking, an ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Here are some basic safety tips you can
implement immediately:
• Password
Protection--If your password is easy for
you to remember, the chances are
good it is also easy for an Internet hacker
to figure out. Experts advise a combination
of letters and numbers…and avoiding
pet names, your home address and similar
easy-to-crack codes.
• Virus
Vaccines—Your computer’s
anti-virus software is like a vaccine—it
works at first, but you need to keep it up-to-date
to guard against new strains.
• Patching
the Firewall—This protective
wall between the outside world and your computer
can help prevent unauthorized access to your
computer. Updates are called patches, and
you should check regularly with your software
company to be sure you have the latest patches.
• Zap
the Spyware—Anti-spyware programs
are readily available, and every computer
connected to the Internet should have the
software installed…and updated regularly.
• No “Phishing” Allowed—If
you receive an unexpected email, or one that
you consider suspicious, delete it. Remember:
your bank will never email you and ask you
to go to another site to “verify information.”
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• 2
million people were hit with account
hijacking last year, and over half
believe it was from a phishing
email.
• Illegal checking account transfers resulting from account hijacking could
double in 2006 according to the FDIC.
• Overall account fraud totals more than $2.4
billion annually, $1,200 per victim.
• People who monitor their accounts online
(rather than just with mailed statements)
can detect hijacking earlier. In one report,
victims’ losses were one-eight of
those who detected the crime via paper
statements
due to early detection.
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