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 1. Individuals
 2. Build Your Knowledge
 3. 5 ways to protect your online information




5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE INFORMATION

We bank and pay our bills online. We shop online. We transfer money to friends
and access investment and credit cards and 401(k) accounts online.

Think of all the information you share on your social media accounts. What could
someone piece together about you that would allow cybercriminals to hack into
your email or other accounts?

1 in 4 U.S. adults are a victim of cybercrime each year.1

“If you use the same, simple password for multiple accounts, then you’re making
it even easier for them,” says Meg Anderson, vice president-chief information
security officer at Principal®.


MAKE SECURING ACCESS TO YOUR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS A PRIORITY.

We’d all love a virtual watchdog guarding the front door to our computer files
and account information. But you’re the best person to defend your accounts, so
take matters into your own hands to keep the cybercriminals far, far away.

Anderson offers five ways to protect your online information.


1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (2FA), ALSO KNOWN AS MULTIFACTOR
AUTHENTICATION (MFA).

Whenever it’s available, you should use 2FA. That means you’ll need more than
just your username, password, or passphrase to log in, giving you an extra layer
of security. A common 2FA approach is for a passcode to be sent to an app on
your smartphone.

Using 2FA is the best way to secure access to your financial accounts. It simply
makes it more difficult for potential intruders to gain access and steal your
personal data, money, or identity—even if they have (or guess) your password.

We strongly encourage customers who have an account with Principal (whether it’s
an IRA, a retirement account, or life insurance) to set up 2FA for their
personal login. To learn more, read “Keep prying eyes out of your online
accounts.”

Tip: Do you have an account with Principal? Make access to it even more secure
by setting up MFA. Log in now to get started.


2. TURN YOUR PASSWORDS INTO “PASSPHRASES.”

If you find passwords hard to remember, one way to make them easier to recall is
to use a passphrase instead. (Passphrases are stronger, too.)

Just come up with a phrase that is easy for you to remember, but hard for others
to guess. Maybe something like “My little Blue Dog has a funny nose, too!” Make
it even stronger by adding some characters, numbers, and both upper/lower case
letters. In this case, “My1itle(Blue)D0ghas^FunnyNose2#” could add more
complexity without making it too hard to remember.


3. PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBERS, PINS, PASSWORDS, AND PASSPHRASES.

We recommend using a password safe or vault. You can find these apps or sites
through an online search. (LastPass, Dashlane, 1Password are some common
examples.) You set up a master password, and then the “vault” remembers and
auto-fills all passwords you put into it. These programs can even be used to
generate and remember complex passwords for nearly any site.


4. PRACTICE SMARTPHONE AND MOBILE DEVICE SECURITY.

“Use public wi-fi networks with caution,” Anderson says. “Coffee shops,
airports, and other public places sometimes offer free internet access. Think
twice before connecting to networks that don’t require any type of registration
or access code and use them only as a last resort.”

She says to avoid handling financial transactions or completing forms that
require personal information when you’re on any public network.

Anderson offers other phone and mobile device security tips:

 * Use a passcode to access your phone. Yes, it may slow you down, but it’s more
   secure. Most phones now offer biometric authentication like fingerprints or
   facial recognition, which is even better.
 * Never send sensitive data like credit card info via text message.
 * Check that all apps you download are from reputable sources.
 * Be on the lookout for “shoulder surfers” and anyone listening to your
   conversations.
 * Physically secure your devices. Don’t leave them in public places, your car,
   your unattended backpack.
 * Cover your camera on your laptop or mobile device for more privacy.


WHAT IF YOU GET HACKED?

Learn how to report and recover from identify theft at the FTC site,
identitytheft.gov.

Report scams and file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s
(FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center, called IC3.


5. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DOWNLOAD. NO MATTER WHO IT’S FROM.

Don’t take the bait! Meaning, don’t click on links in emails or texts, give out
login credentials, or open attachments that look suspicious—or that you’re not
expecting.

“Listen to your gut if something doesn’t seem right. If your dad wouldn’t
normally email you weight loss tips, chances are he’s been hacked. Don’t click,
but call and let him know so he can secure his account by changing his
password,” Anderson says.

Take the FTC's quiz to learn about how to avoid phishing scams.


NEXT STEPS

 * For other ways to protect your accounts, read the FTC guidelines for online
   security (covering apps and devices, common online scams, networks, and
   computer and mobile security.) If you’re a small business owner, the Cyber
   Readiness Institute is also a good site for resources to help protect your
   business and employees.
 * Open a Social Security account online to protect your information. Read
   “Social Security: Why you should create an account online.”
 * Watch Security check: Are you protecting your information? This webinar
   explores topics like passwords, setting up online accounts, and what you can
   do in case of a security breach.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


READ NEXT

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Leave a legacy you can be proud of: 5 considerations for choosing retirement
beneficiaries

1 Cybercrime Support Network: cybercrimesupport.org

Insurance products and plan administrative services are provided by Principal
Life Insurance Company, a member of the Principal Financial Group® (Principal®),
Des Moines, Iowa 50392.

The subject matter in this communication is educational only and provided with
the understanding that Principal® is not rendering legal, accounting, investment
advice or tax advice. You should consult with appropriate counsel or other
advisors on all matters pertaining to legal, tax, investment or accounting
obligations and requirements.

Cyber Readiness Institute,  LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password are not an
affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group®. The links in this
article are provided as a courtesy and should not be taken as a recommendation
to use or purchase these services.

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