In today’s digital age, safeguarding your personal and financial information is more critical than ever. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and staying one step ahead requires vigilance and proactive measures. The Cyber Advisory team at J.P. Morgan has compiled a comprehensive checklist to help you enhance your cybersecurity posture and protect yourself from potential fraud. Here are five essential steps to ensure your online safety and preparedness.

1) Passwords: Strength and Uniqueness Matter
Begin with strong, unique passwords for your online banking and investment accounts. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites. A secure password typically includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Using a password manager can help you generate and securely store these complex passwords, ensuring each account is uniquely protected.

2) Two-Factor Authentication: An Extra Layer of Security
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online banking account to enhance security. This feature requires a second form of verification, such as a text message code or an authentication app, making unauthorized access more difficult. If you use facial recognition, ensure the automatic login feature is disabled to further protect your account.

3) Banking Alerts: Stay Informed and Vigilant
Set up alerts on your banking accounts to keep track of financial activity. These alerts can notify you of transactions, balance changes, or any unusual activity. Regularly reviewing your bank and credit card statements for discrepancies or unauthorized transactions is crucial for quickly addressing any issues and preventing potential fraud.

4) Anti-Virus and Software: Keep Everything Up to Date
Maintain up-to-date antivirus, firewall, and operating software on all your devices, including mobile. Software updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities and protect against new threats. Ensuring your applications and devices run the latest software versions is a simple yet effective way to safeguard your data and devices.

5) Privacy Settings: Control Your Data Access
Review the privacy settings on your apps and online services to manage data access. Many apps request permissions that may not be necessary for their functionality. By adjusting these settings, you can limit the amount of personal information shared, reducing your exposure to potential data breaches and enhancing your privacy protection.

In conclusion, protecting yourself from cyber threats requires a proactive approach and a commitment to best practices. By following this checklist from the Cyber Advisory team at J.P. Morgan, you can enhance your cybersecurity posture and safeguard your personal and financial information. Remember, staying informed and vigilant is your best defense against fraud in the digital world.

Reach Out for More Information
Some of the most valuable cyber security materials we offer revolve around:

• Securing your iPhone and iPad 
• Social engineering tactics and threats
• Cyber top tips 

If you would like us to send these brochures or discuss some of the other information we offer on a complimentary bases on cybersecurity please reach out to the Ethan Emma group at JP Morgan at ethan.emma@jpmorgan.com.
 

J.P. Morgan Chase & CO., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal and accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction or strategy.

This document is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended, nor should it be relied upon, to address every aspect of the subject discussed herein. The information provided in this document is intended to help clients protect themselves from cyber fraud. It does not provide a comprehensive listing of all types of cyber fraud activities and it does not identify all types of cybersecurity best practices. You, your company or organization is responsible for determining how to best protect itself against cyber fraud activities and for selecting the cybersecurity best practices that are most appropriate to your needs. Any reproduction, retransmission, dissemination or other unauthorized use of this document or the information contained herein by any person or entity is strictly prohibited.