Cyber Security Tips for Safeguarding Your Finances

Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to personal data. Fortunately, there are tools and practices you can use to proactively protect your sensitive information and to monitor transactions for timely mitigation in the event your information is compromised.

Remember, PROVEN Bank will never ask for your passwords or login information. Never provide these to anyone claiming to be a representative of the bank – over the phone, email, social, text, or any other mode.

Cyber Smart Tips

1. Don’t Click Unknown Links: The simplest way for hackers to access your private data is through unknown links in emails, texts, and social messages. Avoid clicking on links from unfamiliar senders, and exercise caution even if the sender seems authentic. Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account numbers, so be wary of unsolicited requests for personal information.
2. Verify Suspicious Requests: If in doubt of a request, do not respond to the inquiry directly and verify the legitimacy of the request by reaching out to the company. If it is a known entity you can easily locate the contact information on their website. Take extra caution and conduct research if the organization is unknown and visit in person to confirm.
3. Take Caution With Social Media Sharing: Information shared on social media platforms can be used by hackers for phishing attacks as many times people use these details in their security settings and passwords. Examples of topics to avoid sharing include information like your location, birthday, and children’s names. You can also consider making your profiles private for extra security.
4. Don’t Use Real Answers for Authentication Recovery Questions: Use fake answers for non-critical platforms to authenticate your identity. This practice adds an extra layer of security against hackers attempting to exploit information from security questions and your online footprint, like social accounts.
5. Be Skeptical of Unexpected Invoices and Payment Requests: Monitor your invoices and payment requests diligently. Confirm the legitimacy of unexpected requests with the sender.
6. Report Suspicious Communications: Take the extra step to report any suspicious communications immediately to the sending organization. This proactive approach helps the company identify and mitigate potential security threats. Your proactive alert can help someone else from becoming compromised.
7. Create Strong Passwords: Follow best practices for creating strong passwords—make them long, use random words, and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using obvious personal information and refrain from password reuse.
8. Utilize a Password Management Tool: Be sure to use different passwords for all of your accounts, particularly differentiating passwords on social media accounts from your banking platform. You can employ a password management encryption tool to simplify the management of multiple passwords and enhance security.
9. Maintain Computer Security Settings: Keep your computer’s operating system and browser updated with the latest security patches. Install and update antivirus software, and consider adding a firewall for an additional layer of protection.
10. Look for Security in the Browser: Ensure a secure connection by looking for a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol in the address bar, along with ‘https’ at the start of the address, especially when accessing sensitive accounts or making online purchases.
11. Access Online Platforms from Secure Locations: Always type your bank’s online platform address into the web browser rather than clicking on links in emails. Log off from your online banking account when finished and never access it over a public computer or public Wi-Fi.
12. Review Statements: Regularly review your bank statements for any irregularities. Contact your bank immediately if you notice any unauthorized transactions.
13. Enable Online Shopping Authentication: Sign up for Verified by Visa SecureCode to add an extra layer of security when making online purchases. This allows you to insert a password for each transaction to enhance security.
14. Safe Online Payments with Dynamic CVV: Consider using credit cards with Dynamic CVV for online transactions. This adds an extra layer of security by generating a new 3-digit code for each purchase, making stolen card information unusable without the corresponding code.

By implementing these cyber security banking tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cybercrimes and protect your banking information from unauthorized access.

Stay vigilant and reach out to PROVEN Bank immediately if you notice any oddities in requests or if you have questions on how to protect your accounts.