Learn from JP Morgan Chase’s Mistakes: Six Ways To Keep Hackers Out Of Your Account

You probably have heard all the hubbub surrounding the JPMorgan Chase hacking event from last week. It has been all over the news. Reports claim that this hacking attempt is the largest hacking event against a commercial business ever.

But what can you do to ensure your company or personal banking information is safe and secure?

First off: Online banking is taking a risk no matter what bank you use or wherever you access your banking online. It’s impossible to 100% eliminate all potential risks, and don’t trust anyone who tells you otherwise. However, there are steps you can take immediately to ensure you banking details are kept as safe as possible.

1. Location: Do all your online banking from home or from your office. This way you are working in an environment that you control. Never access your banking information on a free WI-FI network at Starbucks or at a hotel. Hackers are sophisticated enough to watch packets on the network looking for login and password details and other information that may allow them access.
2. Patches and Security Software: Make sure your antivirus software, malware protection, and system updates are done. This is the best way to ensure your system is protected. Don’t put off running your system updates, even if they seem annoying. They patch holes in your defenses that you don’t know about, and they’re important.
3. Secure Your WIFI: Make sure your personal network at home or at work is encrypted using the latest methods. If you must access personal information on an unsecured network, consider services such as CyberGhost or AVG Secure Search. Of course, clients of Raleigh IT Support Company and IT Services Provider | CSP Inc. also use corporate VPN access if available. These services make sure your personal information is protected when surfing the web or accessing personal information.
4. Passwords: Make sure you have unique passwords for all your online activities. Consider creating a throwaway email address on Gmail or Outlook.com for your login emails as an additional security step. Use a service such as KeePass as a way to keep track of all your unique passwords.
5. Watch Out for Phishing Attempts: This is especially important after large-scale hacking events like the one that occurred with JP Morgan Chase. Hackers are going to try to come after you using phishing emails that seem like they’re from a legitimate company you do business with, like your bank or one of your software providers. Don’t get sucked in here. If a legitimate company needs to get in touch with you, they won’t be asking for YOU to verify YOUR identity; they’ll be doing that for you. Simply delete the email and ignore all the instructions. Don’t take the bait.
6. Be On the Lookout: Keep a keen eye on your bank account, change your passwords, and also modify your authentication challenge questions. In others words, be proactive to make sure your banking information is correct and account transactions are legitimate.

These are some very simple steps that you can take to protect your personal information, company banking details, and your own as well. Security and protection of your personal information is not something to take lightly. Hackers are out there trying to get your information right now and many businesses and people are compromised every day without even knowing it.

We can help. Contact your information systems security experts at Raleigh IT Support Company and IT Services Provider | CSP Inc. right now to book a no-obligation and risk-free review of your company security. This is a special free offer to ensure your business technology is as secure as possible.

Call (919) 424-2000 or drop us an email at info@cspinc.com to book time with our security team today.