A March 1st headline in American Banking News read:
"Big whoops! Citibank apologizes to 600,000 customers after accidentally printing their social security numbers on the outside of envelopes!"
Don't know about you ... but I agree ... that's one big whoops! This headline and its corresponding article got me wondering ...
"Are there steps I could be taking to improve my own e-security"? I started to do some digging ...
What I found was some staggering information regarding what we Americans do online and just how flippantly callous we are to protecting ourselves and our credit. It's clear that we think we are taking the needed measures to do so, but we are failing miserably. Never-you-mind what some of our biggest financial institutions and corporations are doing.
Now, being a lender I see credit problems and errors frequently. I've learned that there's a huge price to pay in time, energy, patience, and dollars for mistakes or security indiscretions. Taking the necesary precautions upfront is so easier then trying to clean-up a credit mess later.
A recent survey by Trusteer (an online security firm) and revealed through ConsumerReports.org, that a majority of online banking customers use the very same password for their personal financial accounts that they do for other less-secure websites. A full 73% did this! Of that amount, 47% used both their User ID and Password combination to access another website.
Unbelievable!
ConsumerReports.org offered one simple suggestion for us that are utilizing the internet for banking, placing orders, and socializing ... 
Have at least 3 passwords (minimum) that are used within your security system. Their 3 suggestions?
- First set: User ID/Password for your personal financial website(s).
- Second set: All non-financial websites that hold information containing your identity. Example: Twitter, Facebook, ActiveRain, etc.
- Third set: Websites that don't contain any private information at all.
Would this have saved the 600,000 Citibank customers from their fate? No .. but taking these 3 steps offered by ConsumerReports.org WILL easily provide greater personal security online and safeguard your financial information much more thoroughly. A very wise thing for all of us to do ...
Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President
Personal NMLS #216987
The Federal Savings Bank
1823 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL 60563
Skype! 630-219-1316
This is great information. Protecting your online security is a must. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer: I'm glad you found it educational. Hope it proves beneficial as well ...
Gene
Gene,
Seems like simple steps to protect your information.
"Have at least 3 passwords (minimum) that are used within your security system"
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Gene - Thanks for sharing this valuable information. It's so important to be vigilant in protecting our on-line information. I think I'll make a few changes in my security procedures.
Carra: Hopefully many follow that advice and make changes, if need be. Good to see you Carra!
Lynn: Glad to hear that this post is motivating people to re-think their own security online. I'm sure the move will payoff ...
Gene