Here is a message you should definitely ignore to protect your wallet!
Did you know that identity thieves can steal your money through your smart phone? They can!
How do they do this?
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Links from strangers
A stranger texts you a message with a link to click on. This bogus link downloads a virus instead of directing you to a legitimate website. Four in ten people actually click on a strange link from a stranger on their smart phone.
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Bogus apps
You download an app that appears to be legitimate, but it is really a bogus app, a virus in disguise. Once you download this bogus app, thieves have access to your phone. They can steal your money and access your mobile payments. If you do banking on your smart phone or have apps linked to a credit card like Amazon, Starbucks, or Google Wallet, the bogus app allows the thieves to gain access to your financial information.
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Ransom-ware
Sometimes thieves install “ransom-ware” into your smart phone, without your permission, of course. This nasty programming locks you out of your phone and holds it for ransom. The only thing you can see is a message saying you must pay a ransom fee to get the thief to unlock your phone. Sometimes this fee is thousands of dollars.
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Home security programs
If you control your home security with your phone, having your phone stolen or hacked is even a bigger risk. The thief could gain access to your home when you are away and physically steal from you, too.
How can you prevent thieves from gaining access to your smart phone?
Here are few great tips.
- Use paid antivirus software for your phone just like you do for your computer. My favorite to use is Eset but there are many good antivirus programs for smart phones available.
- Connect your smart phone to the internet using a Virtual Private Network or VPN. A VPN connects your phone to the internet using the IP address of one of its protective servers, and this protects your phone. (To download anything into any electronic device, the scam artist must have the correct Internet Protocol (IP) address of the device. But a VPN hides your real IP address from everyone so no one can download anything into your device. My favorite VPN Is Nord, but there are others.
- Never click on a link or message from a stranger! Delete any message from someone you do not know.
- Only download legitimate applications!
Technology and electronic devices make life more convenient in many ways, but they can also put our finances at risk.
Do everything in your power to protect yourself from identity thieves!
Let the encouraging words in these bobbiejrae posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
Who is watching you?
What did Albert Einstein say about smart phones?
Do you check out what you read before you believe it?
This common bad habit could cost someone his or her life!