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Fortify Your Computer System
Although technology has made the internet easy and more accessible for financial activity, there are several ways that computer hackers can obtain personal information, but there are also ways to fight back.
- Protect your password – Make it unique. Experts advise a combination of letters and numbers for your password. Avoid using your pet’s name, your birthday, and other easy to remember passwords.
- Update your anti-virus software – Your computer’s anti-virus software needs to be updated to protect your computer from new strains of viruses.
- Firewall patches – This protective wall between the outside world and your computer can help prevent unauthorized access to your computer. Updates are called patches and you should check regularly with your software company to be sure you have the latest patches.
- Spyware protection – Spyware collects personal information to be used fraudulently when a user opens up a seemingly harmless e-mail attachment or clicks on a pop-up advertisement. Every computer connected to the Internet should have anti-spyware software installed and updated regularly.
- Phishing – If you receive an unexpected email, or one that you consider suspicious, delete it. Remember, Rockford Bank & Trust will never email you and ask you to go to another site to “verify information.”
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