Despite the growing awareness of online identity theft, many electronic filers still do not know the basic and necessary measures to protect themselves and their tax information, said the security experts behind Check Point’s ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite today. The IRS reports that last year, about 73 million people submitted federal tax returns electronically. About 20 million of these individuals filed via the Internet using home computers, an increase of 18% from 2005.
“It’s amazing how many e-filers take pains to keep their jewelry in a safe at home and their financial paperwork in a locked desk but don’t take minimal precautions on their personal home computer,” said Laura Yecies, vice president at Check Point Software Technologies and general manager of the ZoneAlarm consumer division. “For starters, we hope everyone knows by now that they shouldn’t wirelessly file tax returns from the local coffee shop, which may not be secure."
The IRS expects a steady increase in the number of e-filers this year as consumers are increasingly taking advantage of the conveniences of the Internet to file, getting their returns faster and helping them avoid the long lines that mar the post office on Tax Day.
With Tax Day coming two days later on April 17 this year, many consumers are greeting the extra days with a sigh of relief - they now have 48 more hours to wrap up their taxes. But this also means that today’s malicious cyberthieves also have some additional time to exploit the hundreds of returns that will be filed in those extra days. Criminals are increasingly using the Internet as an avenue to steal and sell personal information.
Below is a list of tips compiled by ZoneAlarm’s security team, for online tax filers to ensure the smooth and secure transmission of their tax data online and the proper disposal of confidential documents:
1. Update your security software before beginning your tax preparation. Verify that you have at basic protection: a firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, privacy settings and anti-phishing features.
2. Update your Window’s operating system and install the latest security patches.
3. Using wireless at home? Make sure your wireless router’s security is enabled (IE WEP or WPA). Never do your taxes at a public wireless hotspot.
4. Run antivirus and anti-spyware scans immediately before you begin to ensure a spyware-free PC. (For a free online scan, visit: http://www.zonealarm.com/scanner)
5. If you are using an online tax service, read the posted security/privacy policy. To ensure the transaction is encrypted, verify that a little yellow closed-lock icon appears in the bottom right corner of your browser, and that the URL begins with “https” (as opposed to “http”).
6. If you use an accountant or a brick-and-mortar tax preparation service, inquire about their security practices and ask if they have a standard set of policies and processes to protect your data.
7. Protect all passwords used to access tax filing accounts. Do not tape them to your computer or write them down nearby. Use a combination of numbers, letters and characters, and avoid common passwords such as your pet’s name or your place of birth.
8. Back-up your tax filing to a CD or portable USB drive, and then delete all associated files off your hard drive. If your PC is compromised in the future, your tax information, Social Security Number and other sensitive data will not be revealed. Shred any documents you may have printed – do not throw them in the trash.
9. Beware of fraudulent e-mails (called “phishing”). Never click on a link in an e-mail or open an attachment. Common scams include claims of outlandish refunds, suspicious tax filing services, or a warning that your tax filing was rejected or your IRS account was hacked. If in doubt, visit www.irs.gov directly or call them at 1-800-829-1040.
10. If your computer is extremely sluggish or is “acting up” even after you run a scan, consider filing the old-fashioned way: by snail mail.
For tips from the IRS on phishing and online scams, visit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154848,00.html
For the top Tax Scams, visit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=98269,00.html
About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leader in securing the Internet. The company is a market leader in the worldwide enterprise firewall, personal firewall, data security and VPN markets. Check Point’s PURE focus is on IT security with its extensive portfolio of network security, data security and security management solutions. Through its NGX platform, Check Point delivers a unified security architecture for a broad range of security solutions to protect business communications and resources for corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. The company also offers market leading data security solutions through the Pointsec product line, protecting and encrypting sensitive corporate information stored on PCs and other mobile computing devices. Check Point's award-winning ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and additional consumer security solutions protect millions of consumer PCs from hackers, spyware and data theft. Extending the power of the Check Point solution is its Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry's framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with "best-of-breed" solutions from hundreds of leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of Check Point partners around the world and its customers include 100 percent of Fortune 100 companies and tens of thousands of businesses and organizations of all sizes.
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