[IS&T Security-FYI] SFYI Newsletter, December 28, 2009

[Monique Yeaton]

While a bit late for Christmas, this article offers tips for shoppers  
to stay safe online... any time of the year.


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Tis the season for… cyber threats: How to stay safe online
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The Monday after Thanksgiving is known as "Cyber Monday" –  
traditionally one of the busiest online shopping days of the year. In  
fact, The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports 42 percent of  
Americans plan to shop online this season.

Unfortunately, just as shoppers hit the Internet to search for deals,  
cybercriminals are trolling the Web for their next victim. According  
to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), November and December  
are the months when the majority of online identity theft problems  
occur. And, a significant increase in malicious shopping Web sites are  
launched between October and December, according to Webroot, an  
antivirus and antispyware software company.

Practice safe online techniques this holiday season. Protect your  
personal information and make the most of your cyber shopping  
experience with these online safety tips offered by the financial  
educators at Money Management International (MMI):

Think before you click. Never click links to unfamiliar Web sites. If  
you use a search engine to find gifts, treat every result with caution  
– especially the ones promising a link to an unbelievable deal.
Install Security Software. At a minimum, protect your PC with up-to- 
date security software and antivirus protection.
Know the retailer. If you are unfamiliar with the retailer you want to  
purchase from, look for more information about the company by  
contacting the Better Business Bureau.
Use a Credit Card, not a debit card. If you are a victim of fraud or  
cybercrime, most credit card agreements limit your liability for the  
charges.
Monitor your credit report. It is important to monitor your credit  
report on a regular basis to quickly spot anything unusual or  
suspicious. Visit annualcreditreport.com or one free annual credit  
report from each of the three bureaus.
Keep your password safe. Never reveal your password to anyone. When  
selecting a password, do not use commonly known information, such as  
your birth date or driver's license number. The best passwords are  
hard to guess and have at least eight characters and include numbers  
and letters.

Finally, only make purchases from secure Web sites. The easiest way to  
tell if a site is secure is to look at the web address on the page  
where you’re entering your credit card information. Secured Web site  
start with “https:” instead of “http:.”

For more tips on how to stay safe while shopping online, visit the  
FTC’s "Fight Back Against Identity Theft" Web site <http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.shtm 
 >.

[Article was written by Money Management International (MMI) <http://www.moneymanagement.org/ 
 >]

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Find current and older issues of Security FYI Newsletter: <http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/ehBB 
 >


Monique Yeaton
IT Security Awareness Consultant
MIT Information Services & Technology (IS&T)
(617) 253-2715
http://ist.mit.edu/security






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