PROTECT YOURSELF.
At Peoples Bank, we understand that the protection of your personal information is a top priority. We take this security very seriously and are always looking for better ways to keep that information safe. One of the greatest forms of protection is knowledge, so we have included some valuable tips on things you can do to help fight against unauthorized access to your personal information.
Tips to help you protect your information.
Create Strong Passwords
Selecting a password is often your first defense against unauthorized access to your information. Always use a “strong” password, which includes letters, numbers, special characters, and upper case letters. The more complex the password, the better chance you have in deterring a would be criminal from obtaining your credentials. For more information on creating a "strong" password, visit the the following link. Create Strong Passwords - Microsoft
Always Log Out
Not logging out of a computer or mobile device can put you and your personal information at risk. Always be careful when using public computers and when sending information over public networks (such as Wi-Fi). Making it a good habit of logging out of accounts (financial, social media, etc…) after every use can help reduce your exposure to unauthorized access to these accounts.
Change Your Password Periodically
Changing your password periodically can help keep your password security “fresh.” If you often use the same password for multiple accounts, (email, online banking, social media) then if one account is compromised, the others are also at much higher risk. Changing your password periodically on your accounts (even if just a few characters) can greatly reduce unauthorized access to your various accounts.
Beware of Malicious Email
Email is a great tool of communication but can also create one of the greatest risks to the security of your personal information. Cyber criminals use email for various attacks such as “Phishing,” “Spoofing,” and “Spam.” The impact of these attacks can be greatly reduced by understanding what these attacks look like.
Phishing is a way of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Visit the following link by the Federal Trade Commission on How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing Scam.'
Spoofing refers to email that appears to have been sent from someone other than the real sender. Virus writers and individuals who send junk email or "spam," typically want the email to appear to be from an email address that is not their own. Thus, the email cannot be traced back to the originator.
Spam is flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message, in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it. Most spam is commercial advertising, often for dubious products, get-rich-quick schemes, or quasi-legal services. Spam costs the sender very little to send -- most of the costs are paid for by the recipient or the carriers rather than by the sender.
