Christmas just around the corner, which means it’s also shopping season, and the RCMP are reminding citizens to be cautious online.
It’s important to protect your identity online by taking precautions such as only visiting trusted websites and using secure networks for any financial transactions. Web sites that use HTTPS rather than HTTP are more secure because they encrypt sensitive information.
Having a strong password is one of the easiest things to keep information safe. Changing passwords often and using a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Another important safeguard is to turn on a firewall.
Parents are also reminded to know which sites their kids visit and to educate them about staying safe online.
Here are some other tips:
- Download apps from trusted sources
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for banking and financial transactions
- Use a unique password for every social media account
- Back up important data
- Be cautious when accessing unknown website links or attachments
- Delete suspicious emails
- Don’t save credit card information on websites
- Watch credit card statements for any unknown charges
If you have been the victim of a cybercrime and have provided personal or financial information, report this to local police, your bank, any companies where your identity may have been used and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca).
For more tips follow #CyberSafety and our social media accounts on Facebook (@RCMPinAlberta) and Twitter (@RCMPAlberta).
- Submitted by Alberta RCMP