How to safeguard our personal and financial data

Internet is a public network that connecting millions of computers throughout the world. Through telephone wires and satellite links, internet users can share information in a variety of forms. When we surf the internet or register to become a member, the procedure we need is to fill in some personal information. Internet is not a safe place, because hackers have the ability to intercept and use that information, such as credit card numbers and expiry dates to falsely do the transactions. We need to take some activities to increase the internet security and decrease the data stolen probability.

Here are few approaches on how to safeguard our personal and financial data:

1. Password protect

Do not reveal any password that related our personal and financial data to anyone. After using any of the Financial Data Center or member services, must remember to log out properly before leaving the Financial Data Center. Avoid using passwords that are easy for someone to guess, such as the name of your favorite brand or your date of birth and never to write it down on the paper and put inside your wallet or briefcase.

2. Keep credit cards to a minimum

Use a credit card with a low limit while using online purchase or mail-order, because it may take risk if your personal and financial data steal for dishonest clerk. So we should not easily to disclose any personal and financial data information and only keep the ones you actually use and destroy any that you no use and shredding it.

3. Practice safe ATM use

Use your free hand to shield the keypad when entering your PIN. If you see anyone suspicious, do come back later. When your transaction is complete, pocket your card and any cash and count it later in the safety of your locked car or home.

4. Match your receipts to your billing statement each month

Make sure you have not been billed for fraudulent purchases. If you spot any suspicious transactions such as charges you don’t recognize, or duplicate charges. Therefore you must contact your card issuer immediately.

5. Encrypt the information before send it out

When the financial data is transmitted from one location to another, we should encrypt the information before send it out. This is a secure ways to protect our data from stolen by others, because the outsiders are unable to read the encrypted message, only you and the party who received your message can read through the information.