HOULTON, Maine — How does a bank keep my information safe? How can I protect my personal information online? How do I choose a strong password? These were the questions answered by Jean Noyes during the Houlton Rotary meeting on Monday, Oct. 7.
Noyes, the vice president of information security at Katahdin Trust Company, has been with the bank for 40 years.
“October is Cyber Security Awareness month,” said Noyes. “With 45 percent of the world’s population now using social networks, we have entered the digital age where there is no ‘delete’ button for information you post on the internet. With over $9 billion dollars in credit card fraud in 2018, online theft is something we all need to protect ourselves against.”
Noyes recommended that to stay safe in a digital world, people need to do the following: first, always install security patches and updates recommended by your computer or smartphone; second, be very cautious of email, phone calls, or Facebook messages that are asking for personal information since a bank will never ask for this information via email and it’s best to call the bank or institution directly to verify; third, use two-factor authentication when possible. Facebook, online banking, and other websites allow you to set up two-factor authentication, which will ask for additional information to verify your identity each time you login. For example your fingerprint, voice print, or a one-time code sent to your mobile phone will provide an extra layer of security over using a password.
Following these information security tips, said Noyes, will significantly decrease your chances of credit card or identity theft and keep you safely connected to the digital world.
