With all of the recent hacking incidents, it may be time to review how you handle and secure your own data and personal information. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Encrypt your data. Modern tools make it possible for anyone to encrypt emails and other information. There are plug-ins and software available to make encrypting email and files relatively simple. Some of these tools are even free.
- Back up your data. Creating a copy protects your data in case a device is lost, stolen or compromised. It’s best to create a backup on a different device, such as an external hard drive, so that you can easily recover your information. Cloud computing ("The Cloud") is also a good option for offsite storage and adequate disaster recovery.
- Use anti-malware protection. Guarding against software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer without your consent is vital. The best way to avoid having your computer get infected is to run a good anti-virus protection program, do periodic scans for spyware and avoid clicking on suspicious email links or websites.
- Be wise about Wi-Fi. Avoid sensitive transactions (like banking) on public Wi-Fi where your information can be intercepted. Also, try to use only encrypted (password protected) networks whenever possible. Make sure your home network is secure and has a firewall, too.
- Use “passphrases” rather than “passwords.” Pick a favorite phrase, song lyric, poem, quote or whatever you like that is easy for you to remember and use the first letter of each word, using both upper and lower case letters and substituting a few of the letters for numbers or symbols, to create your password. Ideally, you should never use the same password for more than one account or service. You can use a password manager to help you track and manage your passwords.
- Safely dispose of personal information. Shred receipts, credit offers, credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks, bank statements, expired charge cards and similar documents when you don’t need them any longer. Before you dispose of a computer, get rid of all the personal information it stores. Use a wipe utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive.
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Also, before you dispose of a mobile device, check your owner’s manual, the service provider’s website or the device manufacturer’s website to learn how to delete information permanently. Remove the memory or subscriber identity module (SIM) card from a mobile device. Remove the phone book, lists of calls made and received, voicemails, messages sent and received, organizer folders, web search history and photos.
If you'd like to discuss data security with us in more detail please contact us at 630-653-1616 or email info@mmaadvisors.com. One of us will follow up with you promptly.
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Our People Make a Difference
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MMA & Co. Volunteers for Taste of Wheaton
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If you are in the Wheaton area this week, join us at the
Taste of Wheaton
, the
Wheaton Chamber of Commerce'
s premier community event, held in partnership with the
Wheaton Park District
. The Taste of Wheaton will be held Thursday, June 1, through Sunday, June 4, with entertainment at the Memorial Park band shell, a carnival, an arts & craft fair, a Business After Hours event sponsored by the Chamber's Ambassadors and a Business Expo. The Cosley Zoo "Run for the Animals" will be held on Saturday morning as part of The Taste festivities and throughout the four-day event there will be food vendors and a beer and wine garden, Art in the Park, a climbing wall and the popular Sunday Family Party in the Park.
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Whether it's attending a community event like the
Taste of Wheaton or participating in the various chambers of commerce,
Wheaton Rotary, the
Wheaton Lions Club,
Junior Achievement or associations that are important to our clients like the
Fox Valley Associated General Contractors (AGC), we are committed to being part of the fabric of the communities in which we work and live. Thank you for trusting us with helping your families, your organizations and your businesses thrive!
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Mike Moyski, CPA
Ron Austin, CPA
Brett Mathieson, CPA
Brian Eisenmenger, CPA
John Straus, CPA
(630) 653-1616
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