Want to know how to avoid fraud and safeguard your accounts online? Go straight to the source - the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has published FDIC Consumer News quarterly since 1993, to help people protect their money, which includes providing tips in practically every issue about how to avoid financial fraud and theft. A lot has changed over the years, especially as consumers increase their reliance on computers and the internet — the “cyber” world — for everything from shopping to communicating to banking and bill paying. While the benefits of faster and more convenient cyber services for bank customers are clear, the risks posed by these services, as well as the strategies for preventing or recovering from cyber-related crimes, may not be as well-known by the average consumer and small business owner.

This is why the FDIC has produced a special edition of the FDIC Consumer News — a guide to safe online banking that features precautions to take at home and when banking remotely (using laptop computers, smartphones and other mobile devices). This special edition also includes tips and information for parents and guardians wanting to protect their children from online fraud and identity theft, and for small businesses needing to secure their computer systems and data. You’ll also learn about what banks and bank regulators are doing to protect your money.

Safety Precautions for Internet Banking or Shopping

• Protect Your “Cyber Home:” Simple Steps to Secure Your Computers and Mobile Devices for Internet Banking and Shopping
• Going Mobile: How to be Safer When Using a Smartphone or Tablet
• Beware of Malware: Think Before You Click!
• Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: Ways to Stay Protected

How to Avoid Identity Theft Online

• Beware of Phishing Scams: Don’t Take the Bait
• Using Social Networking Sites: Be Careful What You Share

For Parents and Caregivers: Tips for Protecting Your Child’s Personal Information

The Roles of Banks and the Government

• What Banks and Bank Regulators are Doing to Protect Customers From Cyberthreats
• How Federal Laws and Industry Practices Limit Losses From Cyberattacks
• Dear FDIC: Questions About Deposit Insurance and Online Banking

Additional FDIC Resources for Consumers

• Test Your Cybersecurity IQ
• A Cybersecurity Checklist
• For More Help or Information on Cybersecurity

This information was originally posted on the FDIC website.