1️⃣ Secure Your Devices & Accounts

✔ Use a dedicated device – If possible, use a separate laptop or phone only for banking and investments.
✔ Enable full-disk encryption – Use BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac) to encrypt all data.
✔ Create a separate email for banking – Use a unique, private email (ProtonMail or Tutanota) for financial accounts only.
✔ Use a physical security key – YubiKey or Google Titan Security Key instead of SMS for 2FA.

2️⃣ Strengthen Online Banking Security

✔ Always use the official banking app – Never log in via email links; type the URL manually.
✔ Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) – Prefer app-based 2FA (Authy, Aegis) over SMS.
✔ Activate account alerts – Get real-time notifications for transactions via email or SMS.
✔ Use a virtual card for online purchases – Services like Privacy.com generate disposable card numbers.

3️⃣ Secure Payment & Investment Platforms

✔ Use hardware wallets for cryptocurrency – Ledger Nano X or Trezor for long-term crypto storage.
✔ Enable withdrawal whitelists – Some banks and crypto exchanges allow you to limit withdrawals to trusted accounts.
✔ Avoid storing credit card details on shopping websites – Use a secure payment service like Apple Pay or PayPal instead.

🕵️‍♂️ Protecting Against Fraud & Phishing

4️⃣ Identify and Block Threats

✔ Monitor your credit – Use Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax for free credit reports.
✔ Set up fraud alerts & credit freezes – Prevent identity theft by freezing your credit when not in use.
✔ Use email aliases – Services like SimpleLogin can generate unique email addresses for financial accounts.
✔ Check URLs carefully – Always verify the bank’s domain before logging in.

5️⃣ Prevent Keyloggers & Malware Attacks

✔ Use an on-screen keyboard for banking logins – Some malware records keystrokes
✔ Run banking transactions in a sandboxed browser – Use Sandboxie or a virtual machine (VM)
✔ Regularly scan your system – Use Emsisoft Anti-Malware or Malwarebytes to detect hidden threats.

6️⃣ Set Up Automated Security Monitoring

✔ Use Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) – Get notified if your credentials are exposed in a breach
✔ Monitor the dark web – Some identity theft protection services scan the dark web for leaked financial data
✔ Use a password manager with breach alerts – 1Password and Bitwarden notify you of compromised passwords.

7️⃣ Backup & Emergency Plan

✔ Keep offline backups of important financial documents – Store encrypted copies in an external drive or a Veracrypt vault
✔ Have a secondary bank account – Just in case your primary one is locked due to fraud detection

✔ Use an emergency contact method – Have a direct phone number for your bank’s fraud department saved.