10 THE QUEENS COURIER • HOLIDAY • DECEMBER 18, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com s holiday guide How to keep your information safe this holiday season It’s the most wonderful time of the year - and for a lot of us, that means holiday shopping. But how careful are you when you’re entering personal information online to purchase gifts for your loved ones? “Today’s technological landscape allows us to share more of our personal information online, whether we’re updating our social media profi les or shopping,” says Gary Hoberman, executive vice president at MetLife. “Because our sensitive data can be found in many different places across the Internet, it’s important for families to learn how to protect themselves.” According to recent reports, experts predict that consumers will spend $89 billion online this gift-giving season (Forrester). With the holidays right around the corner, it’s important to practice safe shopping habits to prevent risks like identity theft or fi nancial fraud. * IDENTITY THEFT AWARENESS The ease of making quick bank transactions over public Wi-Fi or purchasing last-minute gifts online may make your life easier, but it could also lead to the exposure of your fi nancial information or even identity theft. To keep your data safe, it’s a good idea to routinely change your passwords and stay away from using your birthdate, your name or even your pet’s name, as this information can be easily discovered on the Internet. * CYBER SECURITY TIPS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 1. Keep it a secret: When shopping online, provide the minimum amount of information necessary to complete your order and be wary of questions that seem unrelated to your purchase. Maintaining privacy is the best way to ensure fraud protection. 2. Don’t click to win: If an email or social media post seems suspicious, delete it or mark it as spam. Some have malware embedded within them set to attack your computer fi les. Exit out of new windows and turn on your browser’s pop-up blocker. 3. Avoid public Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi hotspots are unsecured networks that criminals use to distribute malware. If you are shopping online for gifts, it’s best to make sure you do so from a secure network rather than transmitting your sensitive data over public Wi-Fi. 4. Read privacy policies: As tedious as it seems to read the fi ne print on a website, it’s a smart idea to make sure that your information won’t be sold to thirdparty marketers. Be aware of who has access to any information that is shared with a company to avoid credit card fraud or identity theft. 5. Be proactive: Educate yourself on safe Internet practices so you can be in-the-know and avoid threats like identity theft before they become reality. 6. Get protected: Sign up for a free 30-day trial of MetLife Defender, a comprehensive personal data protection service that will monitor and protect you and your family’s important information online. Courtesy BPT Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve: 1-9pm Christmas Day: 1-9pm New Years Eve: 3-11pm New Years Day: 3-10pm Dinner Hours Monday - Thursday 5 - 10pm Friday: 5 - 11pm Saturday: 2 - 11pm Sunday: 2 - 9pm Open 7 Days Lunch Hours: Monday - Friday 12 - 3pm Sat & Sun: 12 - 2pm Happy Hours: Mon- Fri 5-7pm Extraordinary Hibachi & Sushi Dining 80-40 Cooper Ave at 80th St. The Shops at Atlas Park Glendale, NY, 11514 718-326-8704 ShiroOfJapan.com
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