DeVry University Offers Tips on Protecting Your Personal Data from Cyberattacks this Holiday Season
December 08 2016 - 3:00PM
Business Wire
With holiday shopping upon us, it’s important to take
precautions when making online purchases. The number of cybercrime
incidents in the United States could grow as Americans move into an
increasingly digital society. This year, online shopping is
expected to become the No. 1 destination for holiday gift buying
according to recent research1. And with malware infections that are
designed to capture personal and financial data, consumers are more
vulnerable to cyberattacks. In 2015, there was an 84 percent spike
in malware infections during the holiday shopping season,
especially two weeks following Cyber Monday2.
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This year, online shopping is expected to
become the No. 1 destination for holiday gift buying and it’s
important to protect your personal data from cyberattacks. (Photo:
Business Wire)
Keeping your vital information safe on your electronic devices
means increasing your focus on your own cybersecurity. “It’s
important to protect yourself by taking personal responsibility for
your data; we can’t expect banks or other institutions to do it for
us,” said Jim Karagiannes, Ph.D., professor in DeVry
University’s College of Engineering &
Information Sciences. “We lock our doors and take other
security measures to protect our home and car. We need to also take
precautions with our personal security and information."
Start with these five tips to protect your personal data this
holiday season:
* Recognize you're not immune. Cyberattacks increase in
frequency and severity every year, so don’t make the mistake of
believing it can’t happen to you. Prepare to take responsibility
for your personal and financial data.
* Use only a credit card, not a debit card, when making
online purchases. Using your credit card instead of your debit
card allows you to keep better track of the purchases you have
made. It also limits the effects of any possible theft to just the
one card instead of several. If you have no choice but to use a
debit card for an online purchase, do not use your security pin
number online.
* Don’t store your username, password or credit card
information with a retail website. The convenience makes it
tempting, but store websites are a popular target for
cybercriminals because a successful hack gives them access to
thousands of files, including yours. Even storing this information
on your own computer can expose it in a cyberattack. If your credit
card information is compromised, cybercriminals can have the
ability to access your social security number, as well, and expose
you to greater identify theft. Keep this information off your
devices and, instead, create complex passwords and write down all
of your usernames and passwords on a piece of paper that you keep
in a safe place, such as a deposit box.
* If it feels like a trick, it probably is.
Cybercriminals often engage in “social engineering” or other
non-electronic methods to try and trick you into surrendering your
data. If you get a phone call about a banking or credit card issue
or if your computer tells you to call a number because it just
caught a virus, be cautious. Do not divulge any personal history or
credit card details. Hang up or ignore the computer-generated
notices and call the customer service number of the institution’s
website with any questions.
* Replace your existing credit cards with chip cards as soon
as possible. If your current credit card does not have a silver
square chip on its front, consider replacing it quickly.
Popularized in Europe, chip cards possess the necessary encrypted
information to eliminate delays in the transaction process. Doing
so closes the window criminals need to steal your personal
information, thus protecting you from identity theft.
Following the tips above will help better secure your personal
information from the threats of cybercrime this holiday season so
you can enjoy greater peace of mind.
About DeVry University
DeVry University’s mission is to foster student learning through
high-quality, career-oriented education integrating technology,
business, science and the arts. Founded in 1931, the university
offers undergraduate and graduate programs onsite and online
within its five distinguished colleges of study: Business &
Management, Engineering & Information Sciences, Health
Sciences, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Media Arts &
Technology. The university is accredited by The Higher Learning
Commission (HLC, www.hlcommission.org).
With locations across the U.S., DeVry University is one of the
largest private-sector universities in North America. The
university is a part of DeVry Education Group (NYSE: DV), a global
provider of educational services. To learn more about DeVry
University, visit devry.edu.
1
https://dupress.deloitte.com/dup-us-en/industry/retail-distribution/holiday-retail-sales-consumer-survey.html?id=us:2el:3dc:dup1238:eng:dup:Holiday2015:dcpromo
2
http://www.enigmasoftware.com/malware-expected-spike-during-2016-holiday-shopping-season/
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DeVry UniversityAnne Ungeraunger@devry.edu630-353-7009
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