Online Safety: How to Protect Your Personal Information

IN THIS ARTICLE

• Safe Internet Browsing
• Recognizing Phishing Emails
• Email Compromise Protection
• Steps If Compromised
  

Every day, billions of people use internet browsers to access information, videos, websites, software, and more. But using the internet carries risks. Bad actors use a variety of methods to create scams and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Learning these tactics can help you keep your information and your devices protected.

Staying Safe Online

Your personal email account is often the first target bad actors pursue. Email accounts store years of correspondence, contact lists, password reset links, and financial statements. When a bad actor gains access to your email, they can use that information to reach your bank accounts, investment accounts, and other sensitive services. Understanding how these attacks work is the first step toward defending yourself.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 1 million complaints in 2025, with phishing and spoofing ranking as the most reported cybercrime at 191,561 complaints.¹ Total losses from internet crime reached nearly $21 billion that year.² These numbers show why staying vigilant online matters more than ever. LPL Financial takes cybersecurity precautions seriously, and you can take steps to protect yourself, too.

Some tips for safe internet browsing include:

• Avoiding unsecure Wi-Fi networks.
• Keeping your browser and operating system updated.
• Using reputable security software.
• Looking for "https" and a padlock icon in the address bar before entering personal information.
• Being cautious with downloads and only install software from reputable sources.

Recognizing Phishing Emails

Bad actors are constantly developing tactics to create realistic phishing emails, all in an effort to get their victims to interact with their attempts. Once they gain an interaction, they will target sensitive information, send additional spam, download malware to your device, or even potentially commit financial fraud. Malware is software designed to damage or gain unauthorized access to your device. These attacks can lead to stolen identities, drained bank accounts, and damaged credit.

The Anti-Phishing Working Group tracked approximately 3.8 million phishing attacks in 2025.³ According to the Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, the median time to click on a phishing email is just 21 seconds.⁴ Bad actors want you to act quickly and not think twice about whether an email is legitimate.

The following indicators might reveal if an email is a phishing attempt:

• Urgent request for sensitive information or to transfer funds
• Threatening or demanding language included in the email
• Unexpected attachments or links
• Sender email address that does not match the supposed organization
• Generic greetings instead of your name
• Spelling or grammatical errors throughout the message

What is Email Compromise?

Email compromise can occur to personal email accounts, which means anyone can fall victim to this attack. The frequent usage of email and interactions with "known parties" allow for this attack to have success. Once bad actors have gained access to your email account, they locate sensitive information or impersonate you to commit fraud.

According to "Sift's" Q1 2026 Digital Trust Index, 21% of consumers reported experiencing account takeover in the past year.⁵ This trend highlights the growing importance of protecting your personal email accounts.

It is important to recognize the tactics bad actors use and identify key indicators of this attack to avoid getting tricked. Some best practices include:

• Using a strong password and enable multi-factor authentication on your account. Multi-factor authentication requires two or more forms of verification to log in, such as a password plus a code sent to your phone. Learn more about password best practices to keep your accounts protected.
• Regularly reviewing your account activity and login history.
• Being cautious of unexpected emails from known contacts asking for money or personal information.
• Avoiding links or downloading attachments from unfamiliar senders.
• Using separate email accounts for financial communications and general use.

What to Do If You Are Compromised

Bad actors want you to immediately interact with an email and not think twice about if it is legitimate or not. These threats continue to gain complexity and more individuals are impacted each year. If you believe you have been affected by a phishing scam, use the following steps to protect your accounts and your information.

If you believe your email or device has been compromised, do the following:

• Immediately change your password.
• Monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
• Notify close contacts, business partners, and friends to inform them of the compromise.
• Scan your device with anti-virus and anti-malware software. See LPL's tips for keeping your computer safe for additional guidance.
• Contact your financial institutions if you suspect fraudulent transactions.

Taking quick action can limit the damage and help you regain control of your accounts. The sooner you respond, the better your chances of preventing further harm. Staying informed about the latest threats and maintaining good security habits can help you navigate the online world with greater awareness.