IBOS member RBC has published its top tips for being cyber smart, as cyber crime becomes an increasingly problematic issue for global industries, including the financial services sector.

Although technology has made lives easier, connecting people and businesses, the steady pace of advancement and change in the technological world comes with a heightened risk of fraud, particularly digital and online fraud.

Adam Evans, Vice-President of Risk Management at RBC, said:

“The reality is that cyber-crime has become an increasingly problematic issue, not only for the financial services sector, but for other industries in Canada and around the globe. It takes a combined effort between organisations and consumers to prevent fraudsters and cyber scammers from getting their hands on your private information.”

According to the Canadian Banking Association, 72 per cent of Canadians use online and mobile banking as their primary means of banking, which has seen an increase of 52 per cent since 2012.

Below are the highlights of RBC’s tips to help Canadians do their part to be cyber smart:

Choose powerful passwords. Use multiple passwords, change them frequently and use ones that include a mix of letters and numbers: all essential components of online safety
Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for confidential information. Be aware of schemes that ask for personal or financial information
Beware of the phish. Do not click on a link in an email, call a phone number, wire money or take any requested action, unless you first verify that a request is legitimate
Be cautious when sharing on social media. Be careful about including personal information online, or social networking sites and in email
Be wary of public Wi-Fi. Avoid using public Wi-Fi to online bank, online shop or access any confidential information
Keep your personal information private. Laptop and phone screens can easily be seen and your side of a phone conversation can be heard by everyone around you

Read the complete press release, via RBC’s website, here.