Want to make sure your information online is safe and secure? Here are 3 things you can do to help prevent theft or scams online.
Create strong passwords and keep them safe
Make sure your passwords contain a mix of upper and lower case characters, use a special character (such as $, !, #, $) and numeric characters. Never share your password with anyone and don’t leave your passwords written down in easy-to-find places like under your keyboard.
Be aware of phishing for account numbers and passwords
Phishing is when someone attempts to get information such as passwords and banking details by pretending to be a trustworthy source. Phishing emails will often link to a fake website that looks like the real thing.
If you receive an email asking you to provide personal information such as passwords, account numbers, etc., do not reply. If you believe that the contact may be legitimate, don’t select a link in an email. Instead, type the company’s website directly into your browser.
Always double-check the domain of a website before you enter your userid or password. The domain is the start of the website address, such as www.canadapost.ca/xxx or www.epost.ca/xxx. On the actual sign-in/sign-up page, a lock should appear on the address bar of your browser, showing that the website is from a trusted company.
Watch for malware in email attachments and downloads
Malware is software such as computer viruses or worms that are designed to get your personal information or disrupt the operation of your computer. To protect yourself, make sure you don’t download programs from anyone you don’t trust. Also, don’t open email attachments from people you don’t know. Install a firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus software on your computer.
Consider installing a trusted anti-malware program that can remove malware from your computer and protect it from future attacks. Read reviews of the top anti-malware providers on review websites like pcmag.com or cnet.com
Keep your important documents safe online with the epost Vault
To really keep your information safe, make sure that you’re using an online storage system with bank-grade security. The epost™ Vault from Canada Post is a secure place to keep your information and sensitive documents online. Learn more about epost.