Cybersecurity Tips to Keep Your Personal and Financial Information Safe
These days, protecting your personal and financial information is more difficult than ever. Greetings, Lynn Spencer here with Killingsworth Spencer CPAs. I want to introduce you to our managed IT provider, Luis Cotto, president of Tech Support of Georgia. We discussed our chances of Cyber-crimes. Below is what we feel are the best ways to protect ourselves right now.
1. Get an IRS IP PIN
One easy way to protect yourself from tax-related identity theft is by getting an IRS Identity Protection PIN or IP PIN for short. It’s a six-digit code that you and the IRS know, and it stops anyone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number. You receive a new IP PIN each year from the IRS. It’s a simple step that offers a big security boost during tax season.
Link: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
2. Use ID.me for Identity Verification
ID.me is a tool that helps you securely verify your identity when accessing government sites like the IRS. Setting up an ID.me account means only you can access your tax documents. You will be asked to submit a copy of a license or password and a facial scan to further authenticate yourself. This is a simple yet high-level approach to login access; you will notice it’s already being implemented with the IRS to apply for your IP PIN.
3. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Turning on 2FA for your email, online banking, and tax filing accounts makes it much harder for hackers to get in. It asks you to provide two types of information to log in, usually your password and a code sent to your phone or a password management tool. You will notice many companies are now starting to enforce 2FA in order to keep bad actors away.
- Be Wary of Phishing Scams
Phishing emails can appear very legitimate, but taking action can trick you into giving away personal information, or it can invite malware in. The IRS won’t ask for this information over email or phone. If something seems off, don’t click any links or give out details. It’s always best to verify directly with the source.
5. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
We all know creating strong passwords is a pain, but it’s crucial. A password manager, like Keeper, LastPass, 1Password and more can make life easier by generating and securely storing complex passwords for each account. It also makes sure you are not using the same password across different sites, which is a huge security risk.
6. Consider Freezing Your Credit
Freezing your credit is one of the best ways to stop identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free through any of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (links below). The freeze does not affect your credit score or any accounts you already have. You’re simply making it harder for anyone else to apply for credit in your name.
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
7. Use a VPN – Virtual Private Network
If you must work online in a public setting, make sure you are using a secure platform that encrypts your information to lower the risk of your data being intercepted. If you must use a public internet connection, you can also use something like a VPN to help secure your internet traffic.
Sources for a VPN: NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost
- Keep Monitoring
Throughout the year, keep an eye on your credit report and bank accounts for any unusual activity. If anything looks suspicious, act quickly to protect yourself from fraudulent transactions.
Putting It All Together
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. Following these simple steps can go a long way in protecting your personal and financial information during tax season and beyond. We really hope you find some value in our blogs. If so, share this post with your friends and colleagues.
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Disclaimer: This post is for general information only and shouldn’t be taken as legal, financial, or cybersecurity advice. For specific concerns, we recommend speaking with a professional.