Your identity can be stolen anonymously, making email-related schemes appealing to criminals. Malware—malicious programs—are used to take control of email accounts and monitor them to see the banks or financial advisors you do business with. The thief can pretend to be you and request a wire transfer that appears to be legitimate.
Preventing malware. Here are some ways to keep malware from invading your computer:
• activate your computer’s firewall and make sure you regularly update its operating system
• install anti-virus and anti-spyware software and set up automatic updates
• download and install software only from web sites you know and trust
• make sure your browser’s security setting is high enough to detect and stop unauthorized downloads
• don’t send personal information, like your social security number, via email
• don’t open attachments or click links from unknown sources
• don’t use easy-to-guess passwords (like ABC123)
• don’t buy software in response to unexpected pop-up messages or emails, especially ads that claim to have scanned your computer and detected malware
Recognizing malware. Monitor your computer; it may be infected with malware if it:
• slows down, crashes, or displays repeated error messages or drains a laptop battery more quickly than normal
• won’t shut down or restart
• shows a series of pop-up windows or suddenly and repeatedly changes your internet home page
• displays web pages you didn’t intend to visit, or sends emails you didn’t write
• shows new and unexpected toolbars, icons or shortcuts
To learn about Charles Schwab & Co.’s efforts to help you safeguard your information, go to SchwabAlliance.com.