AARP Fraud Watch   
      
      
   Tips to Help You Stay Cybersafe on Your Holiday Travels!   
      
   Dear Ben,   
      
   We're teaming up with the Department of Homeland Security to help you stay    
   "cybersafe" this holiday season.   
      
   The holidays are right around the corner, which for many of us means traveling    
   to celebrate with friends and family. Whether you are just traveling for a    
   weekend away to see the grandkids or going on a long winter vacation overseas,    
   it is important to be cyber secure. Travelers are often easy prey for hackers    
   as they are forced to rely on public Wi-Fi or computers and may need to leave    
   their electronic devices unattended in hotel rooms or in-transit.  Follow   
   these    
   simple steps before and during your journey to help stay protected the next    
   time you're away from home.   
      
   Before You Leave:   
      
   Along with confirming your itinerary and packing, add these to-dos to your    
   checklist:   
      
   1)      Minimize the number of electronic devices you bring on your travels to    
   those you can carry on your person. This makes it less likely for your devices    
   to get stolen or compromised.   
   2)      Update your mobile software before you go. Keep your operating system    
   software and apps on your mobile device updated, which will improve your    
   device's ability to defend against malicious software also known as 'malware'.   
   3)      Turn off Wi-Fi and remote connectivity when idle. Some devices will    
   automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks. Bluetooth, for    
   example, enables your device to connect wirelessly with other devices, such as    
   headphones or automobile infotainment systems. Disable these features so that    
   you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks when you want to.   
   4)      Create strong passwords. Before you leave home, make sure you have    
   strong passwords on all of your electronic devices. Passwords should be at    
   least eight characters in length with both numbers, letters and special    
   characters (@!$?). Create unique passwords for each device.   
   5)      Enable stronger authentication. Stronger authentication (also known as    
   two-factor or multi-factor authentication) adds an extra layer of security    
   beyond using a password to access your accounts. Most major e-mail, social    
   media and financial platforms offer multi-factor authentication to their   
   users.    
   Be sure to ask your service provider if you can activate this feature before    
   departing on your trip. To learn more, visit the White House's new stronger    
   authentication campaign at    
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=eUh2NBYLS0-7qMHgRwRMug .   
      
   While You're Away:   
      
   BBe mindful of your Internet activity and how you can protect your privacy as    
   well as your device:   
      
   1)      Keep your phone locked. Always lock your device when you are not using    
   it. Even if you only step away for a few minutes, that is enough time for    
   someone to steal or destroy your information. Use strong PINs and passwords   
   for    
   your accounts and lock screen.   
   2)      Think before you connect. Before you connect to any public wireless    
   hotspot  such as those in an airport, hotel, train/bus station, or café  be    
   sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with    
   appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate. Many fake networks    
   have seemingly legitimate names.   
   3)      Protect your money and your information. Do not conduct sensitive    
   activities, such as online shopping, banking, or sensitive work, using a   
   public    
   wireless network or a public computer.   
   4)      Delete your cookies and cache. If you use the Internet on a public    
   computer (such as at a hotel or café) while you are traveling, be sure to    
   delete your cookies in the web browser after you have finished. When you are   
   on    
   the Internet, a browser saves your information and this saved data is called a    
   "cookie." This data, which can include login credentials or other personal    
   information, can then be accessed by other individuals that may use the    
   computer. Please read the Federal Trade Commission's Onguard Online article to    
   find out more about cookies and how you can remove them.   
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=OQeEoQ9h9ZsAzO3f9Gat7g   
   5)      Don't broadcast your location. Many social media platforms offer    
   location-tagging as part of their features, which allows users to include   
   their    
   location when they post online. Avoid using these location features and do not    
   announce on social media that you will be out of town. You could be telling    
   stalkers exactly where to find you or telling a thief that you are not home.   
      
   To learn more about how you can defend against cyber threats, please visit the    
   Department of Homeland Security's Stop.Think.Connect.TM Campaign website. The    
   Campaign is a national awareness program that exists to increase the    
   understanding of cyber threats and empower the American public to be safer and    
   more secure online.   
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=9KeOHq0FZ_3AX1opIL8ZJQ   
      
   If you are concerned your computer has been compromised, please file a    
   complaint with the Internet Crime Compliant Center (IC3). IC3.gov is a    
   partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White    
   Collar Crime Center . Additionally, if you are concerned your personal    
   information may have been compromised through a cyberattack, visit    
   identitytheft.gov to report the incident.   
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=gwocdpibaGbfT0suaec2BA   
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=95WmiPr1JLqQYCzQKdsa0Q   
      
   Kristin Keckeisen   
   Fraud Watch Network   
      
   P.S. Spotted a scam?  Tell us about it.  Our scam-tracking map gives you    
   information about the latest scams targeting people in your state.  You'll   
   also    
   find first-hand accounts from scam-spotters who are sharing their experiences    
   so you know how to protect yourself and your family.   
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=ivpQZoc2ekgedP5Eo9Efvw   
      
      
      
   The AARP Fraud Watch Network connects you to the latest   
   information about ID theft and fraud so you can safeguard your   
   personal information and your pocketbook.   
      
   Visit the site >   
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=aIXK7hb1ZO8fw0UgNNU49w   
      
   Get help:   
   If you or someone you know has been a victim of identity   
   theft or fraud, contact the AARP Foundation Fraud Fighter Center at   
   877-908-3360.   
      
   FORWARD TO A FRIEND:   
      
   Share this alert with your family and friends so they know   
   how to spot the common strategies scammers use and have the tools they   
   need to defend themselves against their tricks.   
      
   Forward this alert >   
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=Xp6LO3gY0MZhlIAO5tZE5g   
      
   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=V5xtG8rxohXQAoIelPwPgw   
      
   Join us:    
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   http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=nvUeFFGjnycfGStdbKAolg   
      
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   -----   
   No virus found in this message.   
   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com   
   Version: 2016.0.7797 / Virus Database: 4656/13193 - Release Date: 10/12/16   
      
   === Cut ===   
      
      
   -+-   
   Keep the faith   :^)   
      
      Ben  aka cMech  Web: http|ftp|binkp|telnet://cmech.dynip.com   
                    Email: fido4cmech(at)lusfiber.net   
                 Home page: http://cmech.dynip.com/homepage/   
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