Holiday Safety Tips: Emails and Attachments

Today we are going to look at ways to protect yourself while sending emails and viewing attachments and some general online safety.

This information was taken from Traveler’s website: https://www.travelers.com/prepare-prevent/holiday-safety.aspx

Emails and Attachments

•  Do not send personal information in email or instant messages. Emails are out of your control once sent, and can be easily intercepted.
• Only open attachments from senders you know and trust. If unsure, you can run a virus scan on attachments before opening.
• Do not download files or programs or click on links from senders you do not know and trust. Consider whether to open emails from retailers if you know you are not on their email list. If you are unsure if an email came from a trusted source, hover over the link to see where it leads.
• If you receive unsolicited spam email, do not respond or click on any links in the email.
• Be cautious of emails you receive regarding your financial accounts. If you are not sure of the email's validity, contact your financial institution directly.

General Online Safety

• Limit personal information you put on the Internet. Social media sites can be good for networking, but identity thieves can use the information you share.
• Keep your Web browser up to date. This can help ensure the latest security features are installed.
• Avoid storing personal information, account numbers and personal identification numbers on your computer.
• Install firewall and anti-virus software. This can help protect you from exposure to malicious cyber attacks.
• Choose strong passwords and keep them private.

On Monday we will look at ways to safely pack and store those holiday decorations.