CNA Provides Eight Tips To Help Minimize Security Risks During The Online Holiday Shopping Season

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Dec 17, 2014, 04:32 ET

CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA (NYSE: CNA) today unveiled Shop Smart This Holiday Season, a campaign aimed at helping businesses and individuals learn how to minimize the loss impact when shopping online during the holiday season.

"The digital universe has become increasingly complex and it's important to know how to protect your identity online," said Robert Allen, CNA's Chief Security Officer. "As convenient, quick and easy as online shopping can be, it also leaves businesses and individuals vulnerable to security risks."

The Shop Smart This Holiday Season campaign includes video, social media posts and other resources, as well as the following eight tips to help businesses and individuals protect their identity:

TIP 1: Make sure the site is secure. Once you're ready to check out, look for signs that the site is secure, including locating the "closed padlock" icon on your Web browser's address bar. Other sites may have a URL address that begins with "https://"; the "s" means the site is secure.

TIP 2: Don't shop on a public Wi-Fi connection. Public Wi-Fi offers no protection against software that allows attackers to monitor what you're doing online. Sometimes, attackers create fake networks which allow them to intercept and modify communication between two parties.

TIP 3: Stay current with your security updates. Before making any purchases, make sure all software, Web browsers and operating systems are up to date. This is the first step to make sure you have a good defense against viruses, malware and other online threats.

TIP 4: Don't save credentials in Web browsers. When a pop-up displays asking if you want the site to save your information, click "Continue Without Saving." Hackers will use stored data, including saved credentials, to commit cyber crimes. If you do save your credentials, be sure to use a strong password and change it often.

TIP 5: Avoid using debit cards. Even with debit protections, if your cards information is stolen, the money is taken immediately from your account(s). Getting that money back may prove to be difficult. You may consider choosing one credit card to designate for all holiday purchases. That way, if the information is stolen, you limit the damage and you don't have to chase down multiple cards.

TIP 6: Keep a paper trail. Once you submit your order, be sure to print and/or save records of your transaction, including the product description, price, receipt, terms of the sale and copies of any communications from the vendor. After receiving your credit card statement, make sure all transactions match and there are no unauthorized charges.

TIP 7: Only enter necessary information. When making purchases online, be aware of the types of information being requested when completing a transaction. Before you provide any personal or financial information, check the website's privacy policy to know how your information will be stored and used. Remember, you only have to fill out the required fields which are commonly noted with an asterisk (*).

TIP 8: Be wary of emails requesting information. Sometimes, attackers attempt to gather information by sending emails requesting confirmation of purchase or account information. Legitimate businesses will not solicit this type of information through email. If you think there may be a problem, contact the merchant directly by using information found on your account statement, not in the email.

For more information on cyber liability insurance or resources to learn how to reduce your risk, visit CNA.com.

Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, CNA is the country's eighth largest commercial insurance writer and the 13th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. "CNA" is a service mark registered by CNA Financial Corporation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the "CNA" service mark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities.

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CONTACT:
Jennifer Martinez, 312-822-5167
Sarah Pang, 312-822-6394

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SOURCE CNA Financial