Tips to Protect Yourself Online

1) Don't open e-mails from senders you don't know.

2) Never access a website from a link in an e-mail, especially an email that asks for personal information.

3) If you have any doubts about the authenticity of an e-mail, do not respond, call the sender or type in the web address in your browser.

4) Beware of emails sent offering you a prize or a discount and then asking you to choose a user id and password (most people use the same access information for several accounts because it's easier to remember. Thieves will collect your login information and try them at other sites, like financial institutions or credit card sites).

5) Monitor your account activity closely and watch for unusual activity.

6) Change your password every 60 days and make sure your online passwords are complicated.

7) Note that fraudulent e-mails often include misspellings and poor grammar.

8) Update your anti-virus software frequently. Common anti-virus software includes McAfee and Norton.

9) Beware of e-mails with a sense of urgency; attempting to rush you into action. Messages like, "Update now or we'll close your account..."

10) Do not include personal or sensitive data in or in response to
an e-mail.

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