With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday less than a week away, it's a good time to take extra precautions to ensure your financial information is protected.
Though originally prized for its security, the EMV chip cards do not completely eliminate the risk of payment breaches. Since it was first implemented, experts have found previously unknown vulnerabilities with the chip technology. Specifically, the transition to the chip technology can be especially risky for businesses. Many businesses haven't taken the leap to this new chip technology yet. These merchants will remain the targets of traditional malware attacks. Online transactions and mobile wallets can also be subject to attacks, even though a physical card is not needed.
Use these tips to keep your financial information safe this holiday shopping season:
- Use credit cards instead of debit cards when shopping – credit cards are not directly linked to your real funds
- Be careful using public Wi-Fi – unsecure hotspots can easily be hacked
- Look for popular, trusted brands when shopping online
- When shopping for low priced items at stores, use cash when possible
- Regularly check your statements to be sure no suspicious purchases have been added
If you are a business who would like to speak to a trusted agent about keeping your cyber information secure, please call us at 410-835-2000!
