Security Checklist

Use this list to mark off how you have protected yourself from cyber- and identity-theft.

My Devices

•  My computer/tablet/phone requires a password before I can use it
•  Anti-virus software is installed and set to automatically update on my:
  •  Desktop computer
  •  Laptop/Tablet
  •  Smart phone
  •  Children’s / spouse’s / partner’s devices
•  Operating systems, browsers, and software on all of my devices are set to automatically update
•  I set up my anti-virus software to perform periodic security scans on all of my devices
•  The items below are more complicated but are worth hiring an IT professional to accomplish:
•  I have secured my home Wi-Fi with a strong password and WPA2 + AES security
•  Remove admin rights from your user profile and create a separate Admin user

My Online Accounts

•  I have strong passwords on my online accounts and devices
  •  I use a password manager (recommended)
  •  I keep my passwords in a secure place
•  I use two-step authentication for my email and for my other sensitive online accounts
•  My Facebook or other social media account is set so that my information is only accessible to people I know (not public or “friends of friends”)
•  I have deleted my old emails that might contain sensitive personal information

My Behavior

•  I am skeptical of calls or emails that try to scare me into making payments or sharing my personal information
•  I do not use public Wi-Fi to email or log in to websites that require a password
•  I read the MCS “Cyber and Identity Theft” article and understand how phishing uses behavioral science to break through my security barriers
•  I do not share sensitive personal information in emails or on social media
•  I am careful about who I allow to connect to my social media accounts
•  I do not send images of tax returns, financial information or personal data as attachments to my financial or legal advisers
•  I opted out of unsolicited credit card and insurance offers, marketing phone calls and mailings
•  I have a shredder or I take my sensitive trash to a secure disposal facility

My Financial Accounts and Credit Profile

•  I open and review mail from my financial institution immediately
•  I review transactions in my debit card accounts daily, and my credit card statements monthly
•  I set up alerts to flag unusual activity on my debit and credit cards
•  I review my credit reports quarterly
•  I have engaged a credit monitoring service
•  I set a credit alert with the credit agencies and I plan to renew the alert every 90
•  I have frozen my credit

Additional Information

For a more thorough account of cyber- and identity-theft, including details about credit monitoring, two-step authentication, how to place a credit freeze please visit our website. (www.mcsfa.com/blog/cyber-and-identity-theft).