Be Politely Paranoid
Throughout the year, we’ve had many questions about protecting your personal information and identity. Recently, I attended a webinar hosted by Rachel Tobac, an ethical hacker and CEO of SocialProof Security, who discussed how hackers operate and ways to protect yourself from scams.
Most hackers use the same strategy: “Human Exploitation.” They gain access to us by tricking us into opening suspicious emails, clicking on harmful links, or answering calls from numbers we don’t recognize. They rely on the “Principals of Persuasion” to gain our trust:
- Reciprocity: Sharing personal information
- Social Proof: Using familiar names
- Liking: Relating through common interests
- Authority: Posing as authority figures
- Urgency: Creating time limits
Hackers gather much of their information from social media. While there is nothing wrong with being active online, be cautious about sharing personal details. For instance, avoid tagging locations or specific people in vacation photos.
To protect yourself, Tobac suggests:
Be Politely Paranoid: Use two methods of communication to verify someone’s identity.
Use Unique Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable multi-factor authentication and use a password manager like Bitwarden.
Report Scams Quickly: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the organization directly.
Any opinions are those of Landon Vick and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete; it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and it does not constitute a recommendation. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Be sure to contact a qualified professional regarding your particular situation before making any investment or withdrawal decisions.
Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Rachel Tobac or SocialProof Security.
