Is your brokerage account safe?
Now everyone is an investor who does not knew this business, social status, age group or gender. Whether that person has a job, a business, and studies or babysits at home, they have all opened a brokerage account. And all this is possible thanks to the Internet. Wireless technology has made it easier for investors to initiate investment transactions.
Like many investors, you enjoy the pros of an online brokerage account for day trading, such as checking your account information at any time. But don’t forget that the Internet has not only made investing easier, it has also made it unsafe. Online piracy is the most common these days. If you fail to take steps to protect your personal information when connecting to the Internet, you may be one of the victims of identity theft. Thieves use software programs to identify vulnerable brokerage accounts. These programs monitor your computer activity and send information to the thief’s computer. This is how identity thieves easily obtain username and password information for any of your online accounts, including your brokerage account.
Therefore, it is advisable to take precautionary measures to help ensure the security of your brokerage accounts. By not doing so, you risk your account information and investment. As an investor, you should always keep an eye on your account information. Here are some tips on how to keep your personal information and money more secure when you go online:
Many brokerage firms hold you responsible for the confidentiality and security of your account number and password, so always read your account agreement carefully.
Many times merchants intentionally forget or do not “log out” of a link or account. It’s easy to close or roll down the window, but don’t forget that you’re also giving unauthorized users an easy way to access your account information.
Therefore, be sure to log out before exiting your account. To prevent online piracy, you must end each online session.
Another feature that is very common among Internet users is the “remember” username or password. Many browsers have introduced this feature. This allows all home computer users to log into their brokerage or other accounts. This makes your account public. Never allow the browser to remember usernames and passwords.
You should also avoid using public computers to access your brokerage and other accounts. To protect your account, you should not share your password information with anyone. Try to create inappropriate and unexpected passwords and don’t forget to change them regularly. Create hard-to-guess passwords.
Also, you should delete all “temporary internet files” and “history” from public browsers. To protect your brokerage account, you will need to keep the latest security updates on your computer. A firewall or antivirus software must be installed. Make sure you can access your brokerage account only on secure web pages using encryption. The website address of a secure connection to a website begins with “https” instead of “http.”
In addition to the above tips to protect your money, personal information, and brokerage accounts, you are also advised to verify that you have completed all your transactions. You should also monitor and review your credit card report, which can alert you to unauthorized activity. You can check at https://www.webull.com/quote/etflist for more information.
Disclaimer: The analysis information is for reference only and does not constitute an investment recommendation.