Money

Data Thieves from Outer Space

It was a dark and stormy night, when janet decided to log in to her email. When suddenly she recieved an email from Milky Way Mutual, Attention Earthling, urgent account action needed! Milky Way Mutual? Hmm...I don't have an account there. I do all my banking here on earth. Looks like attempted internet fraud! I'm not even going to open this. Send to Spam. Boom! Data theif failure. Meanwhile in the Depths of space...Curses! Foiled again. We'll be back!

But what is internet fraud? Internet fraud, also called data theif, happens when hackers gain access to important financial information. Fortunately, I know a thing or two about preventing it. Follow along, and I'll show you how to keep your personal data safe and sound.

Phishing. A phishing email falsely claims to be a legitimate business or individual, in an attempt to trick you into divulging passwords, credit card numbers, and bank account information. A great example of this is the email that Janey smartly sent to spam. How Janet stays safe. Ha! Phishing? I know better than to take that bait. I never open emails I don't recognize. Instead, I delete any fishy-looking emails right away or send them to my spam folder, so future attempts won't reach my inbox.

Malware! Malware is malicious software that is intended to damage, disable, or take over your computer. After it's been downloaded to the victim's computer, malware can be extremely difficult to remove. How Janet stays safe. Malware doesn't scare me. I use countermeasures like updated antivirus software, and the personal firewall that came pre-installed on my computer helps keep online thieves at bay.

Ransomware. Ransomware is a form of malware that uses a fast-acting encryption to lock you out of your computer. The theif then demands a ransom in exchange for unlocking the encryption. How Janet stays safe. Ransomware sounds awful, but I'm not worried about it. Thanks to my combination of antivirus software, pre-installed firewalls, and unique passwords, I'm ready for anything.

Always remember, when it comes to safeguarding your sensitive information, prevention is your best defense. Don't wait for thieves to strike! Follow Janet's example and start protecting your data today.

Share |

Related Content

Saving for College 101

Here’s a crash course on saving for college.

Your Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?

Having an emergency fund may help alleviate the stress and worry associated with a financial crisis.

Your Cash Flow Statement

A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.

Latest Blog Post

We raise our kids and then shout a “Halleluiah” as we become empty nesters, but our job as parents really never ends. Our adult kids are still kids in many ways—whether they live with us or not. And then there are our...

Life After Graduation - What Should Your Kids Know?

June 14, 2022

Graduation is a major step for those important young adults in our life. A parent’s goal is always to see their kids launch successfully and stay successfully launched. How do you do that? Well, we have few ideas for you.

Summertime Checkup

June 13, 2022

Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters.

Office:	254.629.3863
Toll-Free:	800.588.6381
Fax:	254.629.3865