You’re not the only one preparing for tax season. More than 159 million returns will be filed electronically this year, and nearly 75% of filers are expecting refunds. That’s a lot of valuable personal data exchanged online, not to mention big refund money on the table. With potential winnings so big, cybercriminals are bringing their “A” game this season. Here’s what you can do to keep your data and your refund safe:

Know the Players

A winning tax season strategy...

• Your data is only as secure as the businesses you share it with.

Ask your tax preparer how your information will be stored and protected

• Small and medium businesses were the focus of 50% of targeted attacks in 2012, putting their clients’ data at risk.

• Web-based attacks increased in 2012 by 30%, often coming from visits to legitimate websites.

• You might be surprised to find out that patches exist to counter most of these threats, but people often don’t take the time to install them.

Update antivirus, malware and firewall protection Use strong, unique passwords for tax-related information

The Best Offense is a Good Defense

Use the Rules to Your Advantage

• Last year, the IRS increased criminal investigations for potential identity theft by 66%.

• Your tax returns combine the most prized data a cybercriminal could hope for all in one package, including social security numbers and banking information. That’s why they go to great lengths to pose as legitimate websites or offer seemingly helpful downloads with infectious malware to gain access to it.

• Email spam was down in 2012, but advanced phishing activity increased.

• Often, the attacks will come in the form of exact replicas of legitimate websites, including social media outlets.

File through reputable e-file providers Do not provide sensitive information withoutdirectly contacting the recipient Never download from an unsolicited source

Be aware that the IRS never initiates conversation electronically, including email, social media or texts If you get an email from IRS or EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System), forward it to phishing@irs.gov Act fast if the IRS rejects your tax filing because they already have record of another return

INTERNETSECURITYBEAT CYBERCRIMINALSAT THEIR OWN GAME

PLAYBOOK

STATS:

SEASONS PLAYED - 8

SECURITY AVERAGE 94%

MVP 1988

REFUNDS - 75%

8STATS:SEASONS PLAYED - 8

SECURITY AVERAGE 94%

MVP 2013REFUNDS - 100%

8STATS:SEASONS PLAYED - 8SECURITY AVERAGE 94%MVP 2013REFUNDS - 100%

8

Level the Playing Field

Learn More & Check Your Score

Have Your Backup Team Ready

• A winning team relies on a deep bench. You’ve dotted every “I” and crossed every “T,” filing your taxes securely online, on-time. • Now it’s time to backup, one of the most important and often ignored steps to data security.

Use tax time as a push to update your backup schedule Check the security of your online backup vendor

BACKUP

BACKUP12

Visit https://www.staysecureonline.com for more details on how

you can keep your data and your refund safe during tax season.

Play our Data Defender game and see if you have the winning score.