How You Defend YourSelf with Cyber Attacks When You Pay Online Your Taxes? Just Check Out this - Symantec - RapidSSLOnline.

1. You’re not the only one preparing for tax season. More than 159 million
returns will be filed electronically this year, and nearly 75% of filers are
expecting refunds. That’s a lot of valuable personal data exchanged online, not
to mention big refund money on the table. With potential winnings so big,
cybercriminals are bringing their “A” game this season. Here’s what you can
do to keep your data and your refund safe:
Know the Players
A winning tax
season strategy...
• Your data is only as secure as
the businesses you share it with.
Ask your tax preparer how your
information will be stored and protected
• Small and medium businesses
were the focus of 50% of targeted
attacks in 2012, putting their
clients’ data at risk.
• Web-based attacks
increased in 2012 by 30%,
often coming from visits to
legitimate websites.
• You might be surprised to
find out that patches exist to
counter most of these threats,
but people often don’t take
the time to install them.
Update antivirus, malware and firewall protection
Use strong, unique passwords for
tax-related information
The Best Offense
is a Good Defense
Use the Rules to
Your Advantage
• Last year, the IRS increased criminal
investigations for potential identity theft
by 66%.
• Your tax returns combine the most
prized data a cybercriminal could hope for
all in one package, including social
security numbers and banking
information. That’s why they go to great
lengths to pose as legitimate websites or
offer seemingly helpful downloads with
infectious malware to gain access to it.
• Email spam was down in 2012, but
advanced phishing activity increased.
• Often, the attacks will come in the form
of exact replicas of legitimate websites,
including social media outlets.
File through reputable e-file providers
Do not provide sensitive information without
directly contacting the recipient
Never download from an unsolicited source
Be aware that the IRS never initiates conversation
electronically, including email, social media or texts
If you get an email from IRS or EFTPS (Electronic
Federal Tax Payment System), forward it to
phishing@irs.gov
Act fast if the IRS rejects your tax filing because
they already have record of
another return
INTERNET
SECURITY
BEAT CYBERCRIMINALS
AT THEIR OWN GAME
PLAY
BOOK
STATS:
SEASONS PLAYED - 8
SECURITY AVERAGE 94%
MVP 1988
REFUNDS - 75%
8
STATS:SEASONS PLAYED - 8
SECURITY AVERAGE 94%
MVP 2013REFUNDS - 100%
8STATS:
SEASONS PLAYED - 8
SECURITY AVERAGE 94%
MVP 2013
REFUNDS - 100%
8
Level the Playing Field
Learn More &
Check Your Score
Have Your
Backup Team Ready
• A winning team relies on a deep
bench. You’ve dotted every “I” and
crossed every “T,” filing your taxes
securely online, on-time.
• Now it’s time to backup, one of the
most important and often ignored
steps to data security.
Use tax time as a push to update your
backup schedule
Check the security of your online
backup vendor
BACKUP
BACKUP
1
2
Visit https://www.staysecureonline.com for more details on how
you can keep your data and your refund safe during tax season.
Play our Data Defender game and see if you have the winning score.