Convenient Access – For You and Sometimes Thieves
The Internet can be a great place to find information, but be extra cautious about the information you provide to any website. Here are a few safety tips to practice while you’re online:
- Never send account information, such as your account number or PIN, in the body of an email.
- Beware of phishing emails.
- Never click on Internet links within emails.
- Before making purchases online be sure that the site has built-in security features to protect your account information. All reputable merchant sites use encryption technology to protect your private data as you conduct transactions. Look for signs of this security, such as padlock in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window, a web address that begins https://, ore the words, “Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).” These signs indicate that only you and the merchant can view your payment information.
- When using a public computer to shop or access your account(s), always remember to log off and quit the browser when you’re finished. All it takes for someone to view your information is simply hitting the back button.
- Protect your information by only using computers with firewalls.
- Implement anti-spyware and anti-virus software updates as soon as they’re available.
- Sign-up for Verified by Visa, a free service to add a password to your Visa for online purchases. Participating merchants will request the password before the card is accepted.