How to Ensure Your Customers’ Safety on the Internet

Staying safe online is important because personal information, like passwords and financial details, can be stolen if you’re not careful. Being cautious online helps protect you from scams and other harmful content that can affect your safety and well-being. There are many things you can implement to protect your information. 

Being safe on the internet is normally geared towards consumers to protect their passwords, but it is also important to brands. Not only is it important to keep yourself safe online, but you should also keep your customers’ information safe. Online safety has become more than an IT concern; it’s a marketing and credibility issue. Customers rely on businesses they can trust to keep their information stored securely. 

The internet today is flooded with fake reviews, AI-generated products, phishing ads, accounts impersonating trusted brands, and more. Brands should protect their customers from these scams and safeguard their information. Listed below are a few ways to keep your and your customers’ accounts safe:

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Many consumers value two-factor authentication, as it is a method of identification that ensures the person logging into someone’s account is actually them. After consumers enter their password, a code will then be securely sent to their email or phone number. This code is used to ensure their identity so they can safely log in to their account. Two-factor authentication helps prevent hackers from logging into consumers’ accounts and stealing their login information or other personal information. 

Offering consumers the option to use two-factor authentication during login makes the brand seem trustworthy. This extra step shows consumers that the brand cares about their safety and is going the extra mile to protect their information. Two-factor authentication should be the standard to keep customers’ data safe. 

2. Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing is something we’ve been seeing more recently, but it is very dangerous. Hackers send fake emails from fake accounts to steal information. Most of these emails include links they want consumers to click or files to download, which they can use to steal their information. 

Brands are at greater risk of phishing scams than ever, as these attacks often impersonate trustworthy brands. Most of the grammar in these emails is incorrect, and the whole context feels off. Taking a close look at the email address the email came from can be a telltale sign that it is a phishing attempt. The name may be the brand or business name, but the email address is not from the actual company, or the spelling may be wrong. 

If your consumers are ever under a phishing attack, reach out to them as soon as possible to let them know it’s not the real you. Warn them not to click on any links or enter their information, and let them know they can report the email and delete it to protect themselves. This lets them know the brand is aware of the problem and actively working to fix it. 

3. Encourage Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are key to preventing account hacking. Many people use the same password across multiple accounts, which makes it easier for hackers to access their accounts. Having a strong password also applies to brands’ business accounts. Brands need to keep their own information safe while protecting their customers’ information.  

Brands should advise their customers to change their passwords every 90 days, and all employees in the business should do the same. Encouraging consumers to use stronger passwords when creating their accounts is a good practice. Passwords should be a minimum of 16 characters long with random symbols. It helps to use phrases as passwords to make them more memorable. Using all of these tactics together makes it harder for hackers to guess passwords.  

Final Thoughts

It is important to stay protected online and keep your and your customers’ accounts safe. 

At Fuhrman Creative, we build trust from the beginning by revealing a brand’s true personality. From honest messaging to responsible data and technology use, we help brands show up online in ways that feel legitimate, safe, and human.

Contact us today to learn how we can build these practices into your brand.