In the digital age, online banking, insurance and retirement accounts house a wealth of personal information, making them potential targets for cyberattacks. With so much of our lives now managed online, it’s important to know how to protect your digital privacy.

Check out the tips and resources below for simple things you can do to keep your online accounts, including those for your IU benefits, secure.

Set up access and routinely monitor online accounts

Set up online access to your important financial, insurance and benefit accounts, and regularly log in to monitor them. You can also sign up for foreign login or activity alerts to receive notifications when activity is detected on your accounts.

Use strong passwords, and never share them

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your accounts is by using strong, unique passwords or passphrases for each account. Try to avoid common words and phrases, or information that’s easily connected to you such as your name or birthdate.

You can use a password vault program to create and track passwords, so you don’t have to remember your credentials for each account. But also remember to never share your passwords or passphrases with others.

Always enable multi-factor authentication when available

Also known as “two-factor authentication,” this feature requires a second credential to verify your identity, such as a push notification in the Duo app.

Setting up two-factor authentication can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts and is offered by most vendors. For example, Fidelity allows you to set up two-factor authentication to access your NetBenefits account.

Monitor your credit report to catch signs of identity theft early

Federal law allows you to receive a free copy of your credit report every 12 months by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. If you’re enrolled in IU-sponsored medical insurance, you also have access to free credit and identity monitoring services through AllClear ID.

If you’re already enrolled in AllClear ID, make sure you renew your account each year to keep it active.

Beware of phishing attacks and scams

Phishing is an attempt to solicit your personal information through legitimate-looking emails, web links or attachments. Get tips to recognize and avoid these attacks, increase your awareness of common online scams and frauds, and learn where to report a phishing attempt that’s targeting IU.

Know how to report identity theft and cybersecurity incidents

For identity theft, submit a report at IdentityTheft.gov. For cybersecurity incidents related to your online benefit accounts, contact the vendor immediately.

For additional resources and tips, visit the IU Human Resources Online Account Security web page. For questions, contact askhr@iu.edu.