With the average American spending 24 hours a week online, internet safety is more important than ever. A hacked or compromised computer can put you at risk for money loss, phishing scams or even identity theft. We’ve gathered some steps to help keep you and your family safe online, continue reading to learn more!

Keeping your privacy, money and sensitive information safe when browsing the internet is simple; all it takes is awareness, some proactive steps and common sense…

 

Avoid fake sites. The easiest way to get scammed online is to visit a fraudulent site. If you are browsing a site you don’t usually use, ask yourself these four questions to make sure it’s safe:

• Does your browser warn you against visiting the site? Whether you browse with Chrome, Firefox or Safari, your browser will warn you about certain sites based on actual data and user reports.
• Is the site secure? Only visit sites with an “https” and not just an “http” in the address bar.
• Does the digital footprint check out? Search the company’s name to see what the internet and Better Business Bureau are saying about them.
• Is there an excessive amount of ads? Ads are common in the online world, but if a website seems to be covered in intrusive ads, it’s likely a fake.

 

Practice password safety. It’s your key to almost every protected site…do your best to keep it safe! Here’s how:

• Use a password generator. The best way to ensure that your passwords don’t get hacked is to use a password generator like Sticky Password or LastPass. These services generate a secure password for every site you visit — but you’ll only need to remember your one master password.
• Change your password. If you don’t like the idea of using a password generator, experts recommend changing your passwords every 30-40 days.
• Never double passwords. Using common passwords across multiple sites is easy on the memory but hard on your safety and security.
• Use strong passwords. For optimal security, choose passwords that include a mixture of capitalization use, numbers, letters and symbols.

 

 

Update your browser. An updated browser offers stronger protection against the most recent scams, phishing attacks, viruses, malware and more. Newer browsers have also fixed security vulnerabilities that may be present in your older browser. With just one click, you will increase your browser’s security and improve your computer at the same time. If your computer is a bit older, you can choose the “auto-update” feature for the same results. Otherwise, you can update your browser manually by following the instructions on your browser. These are typically easy to follow and take just a few clicks!

 

 

In the spirit of protecting your identity and finances…be sure to take advantage of your Benefits Plus® checking account! Once you upgrade to a Benefits Plus^® checking with SeaComm, you will gain access to Identity theft services and other bonus safety features, including IDT Restoration Rescue^® and Cellular Care Coverage!

You can even choose upgrade to Benefits Plus^® Premium. This provides you with all the benefits of a Benefits Plus^® checking account, plus additional protection from Ultimate ID^®, which includes:

• 3 bureau credit monitoring
• Internet monitoring
• Instant inquiry alerts
• Remediation and lost documentation replacement services.

Call us at (800) 764-0566 to schedule an appointment at your local SeaComm branch to enroll!

For complete information, terms, conditions and exclusions please visit www.benefits-plus.org or call 866-329-7587.