How to safeguard our personal and financial data?

Nowadays using computers to store our personal data is very common to all of us and almost everyone will rely on their computers to save their personal data and using online financial services to do their transactions such as paying bills or transferring money. However, by just using computers to save our personal and financial data is not safe enough and it may probably be able to be hacked by others to get our information.

Ways to safeguard our personal and financial data:

1.Install a firewall

Firewalls program will help you to prevent from hackers and viruses access to your personal information without your permission. It acts as a guard, blocking the hackers from access to your personal data. Most new computers come with firewalls integrated into their operating systems. If you have an older computer or using dial-up, you may need to buy a firewall separately and install it yourself.

2.Avoid accessing financial information in public

To prevent from logging on to check your bank balance when working from a coffee shop that offers wireless access. Although the systems are convenient but we do not know how powerful their firewalls are.

3.Password protect

Avoid using passwords that are easy for someone to guess, such as the name of your favorite pet or your date of birth and never write this information down and never carry it in your wallet or briefcase.

You have to set a strong password to protect your personal and financial information and should avoid using part of your name, birthday, or other weak password that can easily be guessed.

4. Use our own computer

Avoid using public computers to access our personal accounts. This is because public computers may contain software that captures passwords and pins.

References:

1. http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1491881

2. http://www.msisac.org/awareness/news/2007-03.cfm