The Internet security experts at F-Secure today released five tips on how to protect personal information while preparing taxes electronically. Additionally, this tax season, F-Secure will be offering F-Secure Internet Security 2010, a comprehensive PC security suite for home use, for a special price of $49.99, a $10 savings off of the list price. This limited time tax offer will be good for purchases through April 30, ensuring that even those who file late can still file safely. Used in conjunction with F-Secure’s tax preparation tips, taxpayers will have a strong defense against potential cyber-attacks and online scams this tax season.

Cyber crime has been on the rise, with the FBI reporting that the amount of monetary loss claimed in 2009 more than doubled to nearly $560 million. The type of information contained in tax returns, such as social security numbers, is key for crimes such as identity theft, which the Federal Trade Commission estimates cost consumers $50 billion a year.

The Internal Revenue Service sees about 20% of all taxpayers wait until the last two weeks to file, with about 40 million returns filed in April. Of those, nearly 25 million will be electronically filed (e-filed), over 60%, containing the kinds of digitized personal and financial information sought after by cybercriminals.

To help protect your information as you prepare to file, F-Secure recommends these five easy steps:

Make sure your computer and security software are updated — Even in the rush to file on time, you shouldn’t compromise your safety. If you’re not sure about whether your software and system are up to date, F-Secure’s free Health Check can help.

Share your tax documents the old-fashion way — don’t send personal details and tax forms to your spouse or tax preparer as email attachments or via instant message.

If you must email a document, zip and password protect the file — tell the recipient the password over the phone, and don’t be afraid to ask them if their computer is secure as well.

Password protect your life — make your passwords long and complicated, no birthdays, pet names, or consecutive letters or numbers.

Double-check your tax preparer or tax preparation software — look at third-party sources to make sure that the tax program or preparer you choose is reputable and will ensure your safety when you file.

“Over the next two weeks, millions of Americans will send sensitive personal and financial information to the I.R.S. using online tax preparation tools, but defense against cyber crime should start before you begin filling in your information and extend beyond hitting that final ‘submit’ button,” said Sean Sullivan, Security Advisor, North American Labs, F-Secure. “Information used in tax preparation often stays on PCs long after April 15, but following a few simple rules can help keep computers and information safe no matter what month it is.”
Taxpayers looking to protect their home computers from viruses, spyware and other malware year-round can keep their information safe with F-Secure’s Internet Security 2010. The one-year subscription protects up to three PCs, and can be purchased at www.f-secure.com.

More details about how to protect yourself during tax preparation can be found online at http://www.f-secure.com/en_US/security/security-center/security-stories/tax-season.html.

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While you concentrate on what is important to you, we make sure you are protected and safe online whether you are using a computer or a smartphone. We also backup and enable you to share your important files. Our services are available through over 200 operators around the world and trusted in millions of homes and businesses. Founded in 1988, F-Secure is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.

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