Technology these days are getting more advanced, mobile, convenient and useful. Unfortunately the same problems we had with yesterday’s technology, we still have today. Our personal information is sprawled through every sector of our computer’s hard drive. This means that if it is in the wrong hands, our information can be used for just about anything. One of the biggest issues is credit card fraud. This has been a problem for many computer owners when hackers and con-artists get their greedy hands on our personal and financial information. However, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from computerized credit card fraud. Here are 5 tips to keep yourself and your credit protected.
Never Give Out Information:
This is a tip that seems like common sense, however, many computer users give too much information to the wrong person. Protect yourself by not giving out your passwords, account information, credit card number, or any other personal or financial information to anyone. No matter how much you trust them; there runs a risk that this information can fall into the wrong hands.
Use Only Protected Sites:
There are millions of websites out there. Some of these sites are less than safe. Your web browser has a way to tell you if the site you are on is protected or not. Use only sites that show it is protected and secure. This is commonly indicated by an image of a locked padlock either on the bottom of your browser page or the top of the page in the address bar. This lock indicates the site is on a secured server.
Do Not Send Information Through E-Mail:
E-mail scams have become very popular. The reason for this is because it is effective. By sending out mass e-mails, impersonating a reputable and well known company, and asking for personal information, these con-artists are able to gather what they need. Many companies will never ask for your personal information through e-mail due to the low security. If you receive an email asking for your personal or financial information, discard it. If it is from a company you are familiar with contact that company and ask them questions about it. Even if they did not send the e-mail, they can warn their current customers about the scam.
Be Careful on Public Networks:
There is no doubt that the convenience of surfing the internet at your favorite coffee shop is a fantastic luxury. However, you still have to be cautious when you are using an internet connection that is shared by others. The latest method thieves are using is creating an identical webpage as the one you bank with. As you go to your normal bank website and enter in your login information, you could be logging into a dummy site and giving away access to your account and your money. Do not do any banking or credit card applications on a public connection.
Clean Out Your Computer:
One thing many people forget is cleaning out their computer when they sell it. Even if you believe your information is erased, it stays on your hard drive until it is written over by new data. Hackers are then able to retrieve these deleted files and your personal information. Use a program that wipes it out and writes over the information. 
The best option for when you sell your computer is to remove the hard drive all together. Hard drives are reasonably priced these days and if your customer is really interested in buying your computer, they will be willing to replace the hard drive. You may lose a couple of customers who want the hard drive with it, but that is a small price to pay to keep your banking and credit card information safe. Technology is running our world today. We are always in the presence of a technological device that makes our lives easier. If you are a computer user and take advantage of the convenience computers offer, then take the steps to keep your financial information protected.
Terri Miller is a financial advisor who frequents CreditCardCompare.com.au’s consumer reviews website for information on instant approval credit cards for her clients.
This post has been contributed by a guest poster. Their details, if any, appear at the end of the above article.
Twitter: techsparx1
says:
hello
day by day credit card fraud issues are grrowing …..after reading this article i found it quite helpful for all who always and do online transcitions very nice tips thnx for sharing ….i will share it to my timeline that everybody knws abut it gud and featured article
vishvast’s recent post ..Samsung Galaxy S3: Galaxy S2 successor
Theft over the Internet is quite horrible to me, hopefully I will not be affected by this tragedy.
Andy’s recent post ..How to Know if Your Simple Resume is Free from Errors
Thanks God I haven’t had such problems before, because I try to be very careful…But none of us is insured against it and it’ very important to read such articles
Melissa’s recent post ..Striking Charity Web Templates
Thank you for sharing these tips with us: I’ve always been afraid to use credit cards online, but now I know how to protect my finances)).
Such an informative article! Your text is very useful for me, I had been thinking so much about credit card security on the web, now I already know I should begin it with the steps you have mentioned. Thanks for the useful advices!
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Twitter: freedommmc
says:
Very good posts also protect the wireless connections to your computer. People can connect wirelessly and steal your info.
Very good post.
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Twitter: ForteProperties
says:
Never can be too safe these days. There are always people out there trying to get your information. These are some great tips to take your online security to the next level!
Chris @ Austin Schools’s recent post ..Where To Find Owner Financed Homes Austin
I find your tips very helpful and useful. There are some people who already encountered this kind of problem and they really spent a lot of time and effort just to fix things up. However, with the tips that you have share here, many people like me will be aware of the things that we should consider. Thanks for this great and excellent blog.
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Twitter: ForteProperties
says:
I’ve been a victim of credit card fraud in the past and it’s definitely something folks that aren’t careful should be educated about. Great post and thanks so much for sharing!
Chris @ Owner Financed Homes’s recent post ..Where To Find Owner Financed Homes Austin
Twitter: harpreet4564
says:
Such a informative post it is.we should protect our credit card information and other financial information.because some hacker can hack our account.
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Hard drive Scam artists are constantly developing new ways to hack into our accounts. I always consider it important to be updated on these people’s tactics in order to develop counter measures. Thank you for the heads up.
Kevin’s recent post ..DTS Home
I agree about not taking the chance of sharing our information to people who are close to us. They may not intend it, but there is a chance that they can expose the information to anyone. I like the tip on making sure the hard drive is empty before selling or giving the computer away. I am really grateful for you saving me from disaster.
Robert’s recent post ..How To Get A Girl To Like You
Hey Terri,
I have never been a victim of credit card fraud and I hope I never do. I think email scams are the most common way most people fall victim to this type of fraud. Contacting the company and asking them questions about the email is the best advice to protect yourself.
John@Beginner Guitar Lessons’s recent post ..How to Play Guitar Tabs – Tips That Really Help
Twitter: zaldy100
says:
Thanks for such a great tips Teri, I am not really using my credit over the net because I am afraid, hackers are everywhere and we are not quite sure if our credit is 100% safe.
These days people prefer to pay online from their credit card and other shopping cards, i think through this post they will get idea to secure their transactions and have a safe card usage from the fraud.
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Twitter: Janis167
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Pay attention to http vs https
All the tips you need to know 
I think email scams are the most common way most people fall victim to this type of fraud. Contacting the company and asking them questions about the email is the best advice to protect yourself.
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Internet benefits us in many ways but at the same time it is not safe as well. We should be very careful about our personal information. By the way, I learned about the last point #cleaning out the computer from personal experience. You’re right, its absolutely important to clean out the computer before selling it off.
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we should protect our credit card information and other financial information.
Twitter: katiepecbvda
says:
I don’t understand. How can you not give out your credit card info when you are trying to buy something online?
Katie Woodard’s recent post ..Khleo Thomas Interview with Spate TV
These are all really good tips, I think the public network one is very, very important, and also if you’re using a computer other than your own be careful that you don’t accidentally allow it to save your information. Sometimes it just offers to save it and a couple of times I’ve caught myself not really paying attention and almost letting my info get put on a computer that isn’t mine! Scary. I try to be as cautious with my personal information as I can.
-Rosie
Great post, thanks for all the tips. There are so many scammers out there, so you can never be too careful. Someone above commented “How can you not give out your credit card info when you are trying to buy something online?” which is a good question. Obviously you have to enter your credit card info to buy something, but just make sure not to save the info into your browser. And also make sure to only give personal info if its absolutely necessary, and only to secure sites.
~Sam
Identity theft is more of a threat now than it ever has been. These tips are great for anyone who is unsure about their security. I think the best rule of thumb is to never let your computer save personal info, and don’t give out personal info (credit cards, passwords, etc.) unless you are actually using it (i.e. buying something or logging into somewhere). You can never be too careful with your personal information!
Trevor
The rules are simple. Use our common sense. If we don’t know where that link points to or where it came from .. then don’t click it. Delete it immediately.
Nice post mate.
Twitter: =
says:
Thanks for sharing this tips and it really help us a lot, Scams are everywhere we should careful in every transaction especially online.
Twitter: tatski07
says:
I never transact online but I think if you are buying online you need to give your credit card info right?
Twitter: com_howtoguide
says:
I personally use only PayPal for making payment. I wouldn’t enter my credit card information and personal details directly on any websites other than PayPal. No way!
-Peter Lee
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