CyberSmart: Cybersecurity tips to strengthen defense of your accounts and devices
Editorial staff, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
- Cybercriminals are increasingly sophisticated, and their goal is to steal from you – but there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
- One common tactic is infecting devices with malware through rogue apps and downloaded files. Start by decluttering and cleaning your devices.
- Strengthen your defenses by using multifactor authentication (MFA), signing up for alerts, freezing your credit and verifying messages, texts and calls.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – an annual reminder to review your online safety habits.
As more of life and work happens online, our use of digital tools has increased. Cybercriminals have wasted little time taking advantage of this, launching large-scale cyberattacks, phishing scams and other malicious activity against individuals and businesses.
While a number of organizations – including JPMorganChase – work tirelessly to establish safeguards and protect us from these criminals, we have some homework to do as well. For the month, we are sharing tips and strategies to improve your digital defenses against cybercriminals and fraudsters.
Cybercriminals are increasingly sophisticated, and their full-time job is to steal from you. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Here’s where you can start:
Clean and declutter
One common tactic is infecting devices with malware through rogue apps and downloaded files. The first step to securing your digital presence is a good cleanse. Get everyone in the family to do the same.
How to declutter and clean your devices:
- Get rid of apps you’re not using, which will help save space while keeping your phone more secure.
- Purge digital files from your downloads folder and trash/recycle bin, which may hold sensitive information. Review and empty the trash on all devices.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted emails and newsletters via your email provider, which reduces the risk of clicking on malicious links. Many providers offer one-click unsubscribe.
- Save or archive important emails you want to hold on to, and delete the emails you don’t need – including sent items.
Get up to $1,000
When you open a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account, you get a trading experience that puts you in control and up to $1,000 in cash bonus.
Protect your devices
Make sure you and everyone in the family take advantage of reliable protections that are available:
- Install mobile security software to help keep your mobile device secure.
- Stay up to date. Software and device manufacturers regularly issue updates to keep you more secure. Update your antivirus software and operating system on all your devices, including phones, tablets and computers (PC or Mac) to keep your information secure.
- Turn on your computer’s device encryption so that no one can easily access this information without your permission.
To further avoid being the target of fraud, be mindful of what information is posted online about you and your family.
Reduce your digital footprint
- Less is more when it comes to social media, as cybercriminals can use what is posted against you. They can target you with the information shared, such as your whereabouts, vacations, hobbies, family pictures and more. Once a cybercriminal has your information, they can potentially use it to target you with scams or try to guess security questions.
- Use different emails for different purposes: Use separate email accounts for important communication, and create new ones to log on to sites, receive receipts and newsletters.
- Review your privacy settings: Review the privacy and security settings on your mobile devices, apps and web browsers. Limit how you share information, and check that apps are only accessing the information they absolutely need.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) if you have to use public Wi-Fi (hotels, airports, cafes) to help keep your information out of the digital hands of cybercriminals.
Strengthen your defenses
- Download from official app stores only, such as Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Inform your children about the dangers that rogue apps pose to the entire family.
- Strengthen all passwords: Use numbers, letters and special characters, and perhaps a phrase, a song title or something not easily guessed by hackers. It is important to use different passwords on different sites. Consider using a reputable password manager to help you manage all your passwords easily and safely.
- Use multifactor authentication (MFA) like two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s offered – such as with email providers, social media or retail providers – to protect yourself from an account takeover.
- Sign up for alerts regarding activity like logins and transactions to make you aware of potential compromise or misuse of your information and accounts.
- Freeze your credit in the U.S. with the three major credit reporting agencies to prevent anyone from opening new financial accounts in your name.
- Verify, verify, verify. Whether it appears to be an email from someone you know, a report or invoice you were expecting, a text or a call from a known vendor, you should remain cautious. Call the sender back via a known or trusted phone number to validate authenticity.
Invest your way
Not working with us yet? Find a J.P. Morgan Advisor or explore ways to invest online.
