SC Kansas News

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi 

• While using public Wi-Fi is convenient, it is not secure. 
• Public Wi-Fi does not protect your sensitive data, & cyber attackers may access your personal & financial information. 
• Avoid public Wi-Fi at all costs while purchasing & placing orders.
• Ensure that “connect automatically” is disabled in your Wi-Fi settings.

Shop Safely

While shopping & making payments, verify the following:

• The internet connection is secure. If you are required to provide a password to access a Wi-Fi network, this will indicate that the communication between your device & the Wi-Fi is encrypted.
• Payment sites should begin with “HTTPS.” Avoid making any payments to sites that do not have the “s” after the “HTTP.”
• The site has a padlock symbol in the URL bar. This means the information between your browser & the server is encrypted.

Resist the Urge to Click

• Be cautious with offers that look too good to be true.
• Stop & think before you click & take any action.

Use Credit Cards

It is safer not to use debit cards since they are directly related to bank accounts. Use credit cards instead; they offer many protections to users:

• Credit card companies will stop payments that look fishy.
• They may call customers to check if transactions are valid.
• Users can dispute all invalid charges with credit card companies, & these providers will generally nullify all suspicious charges.

Be Wary of Emails

• Resist the urge to open emails right away. Check who the email is from. 
• Be cautious when emails look too good to be true. They may be scams to get your information.

Verify What You Are Buying

• Make sure you know what you are buying & what you are paying for.
• If in doubt about the site, google the company name.

Monitor Your Credit Cards

• Keep track of your credit cards & accounts, especially during the holiday season.
• Monitor your transactions to check if they are valid & legit. 
• If something looks suspicious, reach out to the customer service departments of the credit card companies &/or banks involved.

Use Smartphones Wisely

• Refrain from clinking on links from unknown text messages.
• Protect your smartphones with password & anti-malware software.

Follow Safety Tips

• Do not save credit cards, passwords, payments, or any other information on the site.
• Make sure to update your laptop software regularly.
• Scan your computer for malware at least weekly.

Original source can be found here.