Lauren's List: Cyber Monday Security Tips
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- With Black Friday behind us and Cyber Monday upon us, it's important to remember to keep some online shopping safety tips.
While we're busy surfing the web, hackers will be busy trying to take advantage of our information.
Today's Lauren's List has some tips from Market Watch to keep your money and identity safe.
- Be unique: Security experts say if you can remember your password, it's probably not a good one! And if you use the same one for all of your accounts, your security is at serious risk. Use unique passwords for different accounts, and change up your usernames while you're at it. Keep track of them by writing them down and storing them in a safe place, or using a password manager like Last Pass.
- Monitor your bank account: A couple of weeks ago I noticed a bogus charge on my bank account statement. It wasn't anything major, just $16 or so, but it totally would have slipped under the radar had I not been checking my account often. We make so many purchases this time of year, theft could go unnoticed. Consider setting up alerts to get a text message anytime your account is charged.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Always try to shop on secure Wi-Fi at home, instead of on an open connection at a coffee shop or airport. If you must buy on the go, use the data plan or personal hotspot from your device. This way your information isn't out there for any hacker on the public network to see and steal.
- Two-step authentication: It takes extra time, but it's worth it! In addition to using your username and password to login, some email systems and retailers are giving you the option to require additional verification via a code that is sent to your phone or email for access. That extra layer of security could save you money and headaches this holiday shopping season.
How do you protect your personal information online? Tell me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/laurenpastrananews) or Twitter (@LaurenPastrana). Send ideas for future Lauren's Lists to lpastrana@cbs.com.
