Cyberspace is real, and so are the risks that come with it. A few years ago, it was possible to store a lot of money in a bank account and have nothing to worry about. But in an era where almost everything is done online, the damages resulting from cybercrime have increased, and the risks have gotten increasingly higher. The surest way of ensuring the safety of personal finances is by keeping passwords secure and confidential. This includes keeping them away from those who shouldn’t have them. Below are some of the tips on how someone can keep their money safe in the digital age.
Avoid Clicking Unknown Links
With the advancement of technology, most attackers have pushed their game to a higher level. For instance, by clicking on an unknown or suspicious link online, a person may unknowingly have spy software installed on their devices. It’s through such apps that hackers steal bank details and passwords and use them to steal cash. The first tip is to never click on any suspicious links through texts or email.
The other trick for keeping passwords safe is using very long and strong passwords. Simple passwords aren’t a great idea because they’re easy to steal and use. So the passwords should be long and have a mixture of numbers and letters, both upper and lower case, as well as special characters. Some people prefer to store passwords on a local file that is then kept secure. There are also a variety of free downloadable storage apps for passwords for Android and iPhone devices.
Properly Dispose of Personal Files, Damaged Devices, or Hardware
Contrary to popular belief, the act of throwing away damaged hardware does not keep your personal information safe. The truth is that hackers can still retrieve the data and use it to steal money from accounts. Make arrangements with an e-waste management company that will appropriately destroy and dispose of the materials.
Check Your Credit Reports Regularly
Regularly checking credit reports may sound a bit awkward, but it could pay off significantly in keeping money safe. By law, reports from all three major credit agencies are allowed once a year. The scores should be up-to-date and accurate. Any abnormality needs to be reported to the relevant authorities immediately.
The safety of one’s money in the digital age lies in their hands. Keeping personal account details safe and proper disposal of files are among the best ways of survival.