Account Security and Protection

In this article, we will detail some security tips and information in relation to the parts of a standard account. This can also be applied on multiple platforms and multiple systems, which will more than likely double the security protection of your accounts. Coinmetro offers multiple layers of protection to help keep your account extra secure:

Password Security

Do not use easily identifiable words or numbers (famous dates, birthdays, real-life words, repeating, identifiable word/number patterns). Saving passwords to a browser's cache is one of the main ways they get compromised.

Use a strong password, meaning to use a random combination of numbers and letters (upper and lowercase). Remembering them might be a challenge, or you can use a trusted password management service that can guarantee their security.

Email Security

The most vulnerable part of your account in most cases, and usually, the first thing that gets compromised. Keeping your email safe and accessible, usually guarantees that you have the ability to reset your account. Overlooking email security could lead to multiple accounts being compromised that are assigned to said email.

The person who has access to the email will, most likely, have access to reset the account password and possibly other account information. The more an email is used to register accounts, the more it is exposed to the risk of being exposed and compromised.

Additional Account Security

• 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) is the most accessible and popular tool used by most account providers to secure your individual login, and if done right, makes your account almost uncompromisable, just be mindful to use a secure and trusted authentification app and follow the proper procedure when moving it to another device.
• SMS Verification ties your account to your mobile number.
• IP Verification helps us ensure that your account is not accessed by third parties.
• Password management service is a way to go to have complicated passwords saved in a system for easy accessibility and security. Although, you are trusting a 3rd party to keep your data safe. 

WiFi Security

First of all, check the WiFi network you will connect to. In many places, there are several WiFi networks open within reach of the computer, so it is necessary to verify that you will really connect to the desired one, and not to a stranger.

Computers with Windows 7, Windows 8, and the latest versions of OS X, have the ability to share files with other devices that are connected to the same network. If we are using a public WiFi network, it is recommended to have this option disabled. In Windows, from the control panel, network options. On OS X, from system preferences.

Avoid using the same password for different accounts. This not only applies to connecting to public WiFi networks but in general.

Whenever you access a website that handles our personal data, such as an email or work platform, a bank website or in general that stores sensitive information. Always verify that it is accessed through a secure navigation protocol, such as HTTPS. In summary, if “https” does not appear in the browser bar, avoid logging in, since the site is not correctly encrypted.

Whenever we use the computer in a public place with open WiFi access, and we are not connected to the Internet, it is advisable to disable the ability to connect to WiFi if it is not needed. In the case of mobile devices, it is advisable to keep the automatic connection to WiFi networks disabled, and only connect to a public network to do what we have to do, and then disconnect. It is preferable to consume a little more mobile data, rather than suffer data theft.

Avoid lasting longer than necessary connected to an account. For example, as soon as you finish sending that important email, log out of the email.