Lock It Up: Protect Your Login Info

These days an increasing number of people are online creating accounts for shopping, streaming services, or to stay connected with other people. Of course, with all those accounts on various websites, who wants to create a different username and password every time?

Well, it turns out the extra effort is worth it. Having different logins for your online shopping or subscription accounts can reduce your risk of fraud.

Here’s why: if you use the same username and password across multiple sites and one of them is compromised, access to the other sites is automatically at risk. Fraudsters will then use the stolen credentials on those other sites to see if they can gain access and attempt various forms of fraud or other data mining activity.

Please note: First Bank has several protective measures in place to ensure that your information is secure and that your account is safe from this type of fraud. But your other online accounts may not be so well guarded.

Here are some tips to help you make each of your log-ins stronger and more secure:

1. Use different login information. Not surprisingly, this is the best thing you can do to keep fraudsters out of your retail or subscription accounts. This means you will need to resist using your favorite username or password over and over again because it is the easiest to remember.
2. Create strong/unique usernames and passwords. When using different usernames and passwords, use information that is not easily identifiable, but something you can remember. The more complex, the less likely it is to be guessed.

   One more tip: use numbers, capital letters, and special characters throughout your username or password, not just at the beginning or end.

3. Enable two-factor/multi-factor authentication where available. By enabling this feature, a user is provided a second form of identification to verify a log in attempt. Think of it as a second layer of protection against potential attackers. This can be as simple as receiving a code via text or email, or clicking a link to confirm a log in from an unfamiliar device.
4. Keep second factor information confidential. Never give out your second factor code to anyone – even if they say they are from a favorite website, company, or store. For example, First Bank will not ask for a Secure Access Code for our online or mobile banking-ever-when helping you with a question or concern about your account.
5. Change information directly on the site. If you are ever notified that one of your accounts has been compromised, make sure to change the username and password immediately. If that compromised information was also used for another account, change that information as well.

   Note: if you receive an email that says your login may have been stolen, don’t click on the link in the email! Go directly to the impacted website and change your information there. This helps keep you safe from phishing attempts.

6. Be cautious. Always protect your login information for any online site. Even if you believe there is no risk, keep this information secure.

For more helpful tips on how to stay safe browsing and shopping online, check out these resources:

• Have You Heard of Smishing?
• 5 Tips for Safely Managing Your Finances Online
• 7 Tips to Help You Protect Your Identity