More and more people use laptops, smartphones and tablets to get online. It's a great and faster way to look up information, do your shopping, stay connected with loved ones, and even make new friends.
The internet is amazing and has lots of positive aspects, though there are things you need to be aware of. These include viruses that can damage your computer and online scammers.
So how do you stay safe?
It's not like the good old days when you could just have it locked in a safe and then guard your safe day and night. Now you keep your money online, so a lot of people might be able to access it without your knowledge.
Here are a few simple things that you can do to make sure your money is under your control only.
Trusty Banks
Make sure you're with a bank that you trust. There are several steps that banks can and should be taking to ensure that your money is kept safe. We should know we're working hard day and night in front of your proverbial safes.
Banks have to declare how they're protecting your money so you can do some research in order to determine which banks are up to your standards. Alternatively, trust online-disgruntled customers' reviews and experiences are often the most vocal!
Paying Online
Similarly to your bank, websites can also take several precautions, so you're not falling victim to scammers. You have to make sure that you're shopping with reputable websites which haven't had issues before
But what about the earrings you like that are sold by a small business? Chances are they're safe, and we love small businesses here, so we encourage you to shop from them! But a few of them may be trying to trick you. We advise not keeping all of your money in one place because sometimes, even if you can't prevent your money from being taken, you can control how much they take.
And you can always shop through reputable third parties, like Paypal, who are going to protect your money like it's theirs! Again, don't keep your entire stash in one place, but you can certainly set aside your online shopping budget somewhere separate from the rest of your gold.
Long Lost Prince Cousins
• We have at least four long lost cousins who happen to be princes that want to give us their entire fortune. Luckily, many of us are clued up to this scam by now-we know not to trust them or give them our bank details
• But what about the less obvious scams, like the ones that pretend to be PayPal or even Royal Mail? It's getting increasingly harder to stay protected, so we advise working with a bank that will protect your money as fiercely as you are, but there are also some basic checks that you can run through to ensure you're staying protected.
• Check the numbers and email addresses of the people emailing/texting/calling you. Double-check them against the official information given by the companies they claim to represent. If there is a mismatch, it is probably a scam!
• Don't give out any information, don't enter any details that can be used to take your money or imitate you unless you're doing so on the official websites-double-check URLs too!
• THINK! Does this scam make sense? Would this company message me asking this? If it is out of the ordinary, then check online chances. Are if it isn't legit, then someone will have warned you.
IF IN DOUBT, CALL IT OUT!
If you've gone through all of the checks and are still unsure, then go ahead and call your bank/service provider and ask them if the message originated with them. They should be able to get back to your right away (the excellent service providers have quick and efficient customer service, but even if they don't. It's worth waiting before you take action).
Good Scams Take Time
Just because you've shopped from a website and haven't taken all of your money right away doesn't mean that they don't plan to.
Bad News? The reason they wait is that it makes them harder to detect.
Good News? It gives you more time to protect yourself after they've attacked!
Keep a constant eye on your finances, and don't hesitate to call your bank if you feel like there may have been a breach, even if they haven't taken anything yet!
Stay safe! And if you're having any troubles at all, don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team-they're quick to reply and always happy to help.
Computer viruses
PC infections (at times called malware) are rebel programs that can spread from one PC to the next. You might be sent an email with a connection that will deliver an infection when you click on it.
Crooks can then utilize this to assume responsibility for your PC, or the infection might examine your PC for individual data. It can likewise dial your PC back, convey spam email or erase records.
You might even get a call from somebody professing to be from a notable programming organization like Microsoft, saying there's an issue with your PC and expecting to gain admittance to your it, including your own subtleties
Real IT organizations never contact clients along these lines. This is a typical telephone trick - hang up right away.
Stay safe on social.
Social networks are a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, make new friends, etc.
However, it would be best to guard against people who want to steal your personal information on any social networking site. Use the privacy features on the sites and on your device to choose who can see your profile and your posts. Avoid publishing any information that identifies you, such as your telephone number, address or date of birth.
How would it be a good idea to respond, assuming I think I've been a victim of a web-based trick?
Tricksters continually track down better approaches to deceive individuals, and online tricks are constantly changing. It's normal for individuals to get deceived, so don't experience it peacefully and don't be humiliated to report it.
If you're concerned that your PC isn't working as expected or imagine that it might have an infection, then, at that point, converse with a PC professional.
Information in this publication is provided for general information only, and it does not purport to include every aspect of the topics with which it deals. You should not take it as advice. Prior to taking, or refraining from taking, any action based on the content of this publication, you should seek professional or specialist advice. Kixy LTD or its affiliates are not rendering legal, tax or other advice through the content of this publication. A similar outcome is not guaranteed. The content in the publication does not represent, warrant or guarantee, either expressly or impliedly, that it is current, accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
