It’s no secret that cybercrime is on the rise. This year alone has seen six trillion dollars in damages from cyber crime. Don’t be a victim, the IRS, tax agencies, and private tax professionals are working together to make it safer for you and your clients online. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month so we here at swiftfp want to share five tips on how to conduct yourself online in order to avoid being the victim of a cyber crime.
Recognize and avoid Scams:
Online scams are just as numerous and varied as their victims. Scams such as phishing emails, fake social media profiles, and threatening phone calls are all common ways for scammers and cybercriminals to try and steal your information. Learning to recognize these scams, especially for the elderly or young and inexperienced, is the best way to protect against falling victim to them. A good rule to have when conducting yourself online and over the phone is this, if you didn’t solicit the information yourself then it’s more than likely a scam.
Never Overshare:
Your private information should remain as that, private. While giving out your email to some sites for exclusive offers and updates probably won’t negatively affect you, it’s important to not provide too much information whenever possible. Most people know not to give out their routing number or SSN but scammers can still do a lot of damage with information such as; date of birth, age, address, phone number and more. Try to minimize the information you have online, delete old accounts you don’t use anymore and avoid making new ones whenever possible.
Public Networks:
Public wifi networks are a cyber crimninal’s playground. When you’re relaxing at a coffee shop or trying to get work done at a convention and using the provided wifi you are opening yourself and your data to possible cybercriminals. To avoid this we recommend using a VPN or virtual privacy network in order to stay secure when you’re on the go.
Security Software and Anti-Virus:
Make sure your devices are equipped with some form of cyber security software or anti-virus protection. Furthermore, encrypting files that contain sensitive data such as financial records can also help to prevent that data from falling into the wrong hands.
Monitor yourself Online:
There is a chance that while reading this article you’ve thought to yourself, “I’ve already made a lot of the mistakes this article says to avoid, what do I do now?” It’s never too late to increase your cybersecurity. Get in the habit of changing your passwords on your online account every couple of months or so. Turn on two factor authentication when it’s offered. Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. Finally, frequently monitor your banking and check for unauthorized charges. Getting in the habit of doing these tasks will greatly increase your online security.
It Can’t Happen to Me:
Yes, it absolutely can. Don’t let you or your clients become victims this tax season. By employing the best professional tax software on the market you and your clients will feel safe and secure going into the tax season. SFPWorks has the security you need while maintaining the accessibility a modern professional deserves. Find out more when you request a free demo below.
If you want to learn more about cyber crime and how you can help protect your clients by learning to spot identity theft before it happens then consider reading our article on identity theft here.
