Protect Your Data From Hackers ( What You Want To Know Wednesdays )

Mountain West Financial works hard to keep your information safe, and here are some tips for you to do the same.

Technological advances have been beneficial for us, but unfortunately, they have also been beneficial for criminals. Technology has made our lives much easier. We have vast amounts of information at our finger tips. We don’t even have to remember phone numbers or passwords; our devices do it for us. As a result, we may forget that our devices and networks can be vulnerable. The most effective thing that you can do to protect yourself and your devices is to make sure they are password protected. Always make sure to change factory default passwords.   It’s important to remember to keep security software up to date on your network and devices. You are not alone if you aren’t sure how to update your software or are weary. You can always contact your service provider to assist you, or hire a professional.

Be vigilant. Be cautious of phishing schemes. Phishing is the act of stealing financial information by posing as a legitimate company. Some e-mails can look like they are coming from your bank or a company that you have previously done business with. Do not click on any links contained in suspicious e-mails. It’s wise to confirm with the company that is supposedly sending the e-mail. If the company did not send you the e-mail, delete it and mark it as spam. Be careful when downloading apps to your devices. Make sure you are downloading from reputable sources. Off- brand apps may be cheaper, but make sure they are what they say they are. Also, USB drives and CDs can contain viruses. Always make sure to keep your anti-virus software updated.

Protect your password. This is an easy one, but some people still struggle with creating passwords that are not easy to hack. Make sure you don’t use the same password on multiple accounts, and change them regularly. Also, don’t store passwords in web browsers. Malware (information stealing software) can easily get into browsers and steal your saved information.

Protect your social security number. Do not carry your social security card, or a member of your family’s card in your purse or wallet. It can be easily stolen. Don’t write the number down on a piece of paper and keep it with you either; it can easily be identified.

Never have sensitive conversations in public about finances or personal information.   You never know who is listening to you and memorizing your information.

If anything seems suspicious, it probably is. Don’t be afraid to mark something as spam, and contact the supposed sender to confirm authenticity. You can never be too safe!

* Specific loan program availability and requirements may vary. Please get in touch with your mortgage advisor for more information.