How to protect yourself

Protecting your identity

Identity theft happens when your personal information is stolen and used illegally to charge expenses to your accounts, create new accounts in your name or for other illegal purposes.
Here’s what you can do to reduce your chance of being affected by identity theft:

• Don’t provide your personal information unless you need to.
• Don't respond to unsolicited requests for personal or account information.
• Shred documents and any junk mail containing personal information before you throw them away.
• Don’t leave your personal mail where other people can see it.
• Don't include your social insurance number / social security number or driver's license number on sensitive documents, unless you understand the purpose and consent to it.
• Keep documents such as passports, birth certificates, etc., in a secure place, such as a safety deposit box.
• Watch your online financial accounts for any suspicious transactions.
• Don’t keep the personal identification number (PIN) for your payment card in your wallet.
• Sign the back of your credit and debit cards as soon as you receive them.
• Report lost or stolen credit and debit cards immediately.
• Review your credit report at least once a year (See U.S. and Canadian credit agency websites).

For information on scams that take or use your personal information, review the Sun Life Fraud web page.

Safe computing tips

• Install anti-virus software and a personal firewall. Be sure to schedule periodic system scans to run automatically.
• Keep all your software up to date, including your operating system, browser, etc. Regardless of what operating system you use (e.g., Windows, Mac, etc.) you should keep it up to date. It’s helpful to configure your operating system to automatically install new updates as they are issued by the manufacturer. To learn more, visit your manufacturer’s support site, e.g., Microsoft support, Mac support.
• Download and install software or mobile applications only from reputable websites or providers. Avoid installing software received as email attachments from unknown sources.
• Legitimate Sun Life applications are available only from authorized providers such as Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. Software obtained from other sources should not be trusted.
• Secure your home wireless network and any connected devices by changing the default administration ID and password (using a strong password!) Change your wireless network name and, most important, enable WPA2 encryption.
• Use a spam filter, such as the filter offered by your email provider.
• Never respond to spam emails, as this only confirms that your email address is valid.
• Do not click on links in emails from unknown or unverified sources, as you could download malware. Enter the link web address into your browser instead.
• Create bookmarks for frequently used websites and use them to access the websites.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using a computer or mobile device in a public place. Other people may see what’s on your screen.
• Be careful about using public Wi-Fi networks where you could potentially expose sensitive information.
• Avoid using an administrator account to surf the Internet or manage your email. Use a separate, less-privileged account for day-to-day tasks. Refer to your device’s manufacturer’s website for details on how to do this.

Data encryption

For your security, our website requires that your browser support a minimum of 128-bit encryption. For improved security, performance and support, we recommend that you use the latest browser version with all of the applicable security patches installed.

To ensure you are using the latest browser version available, you can follow the applicable link below:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari

Anti-virus software

Anti-virus software can help protect your computer from malicious software (malware) such as viruses and spyware. Malware is the term used to describe any software that has a malicious intent, such as disrupting computer operations and stealing information. There are many ways malware can infect your computer, including clicking on links, clicking on images, downloading files (e.g., music) and opening email attachments. To learn more, visit your manufacturer’s support site, e.g., Microsoft support, Mac support.

Personal firewall

When your computer is connected to the Internet it is vulnerable to attack. Help protect your computer by using a personal firewall to serve as a barrier against attacks. To learn more, visit your manufacturer’s support site, e.g., Microsoft support, Mac support. You may also enable the firewall feature on your home network (e.g., Wi-Fi network), which will also provide protection.

Operating system

Regardless of what operating system you use (e.g., Windows, Mac, etc.) you should keep it up to date. It’s helpful to configure your operating system to automatically install new updates as they are issued by the manufacturer. To learn more, visit your manufacturer’s support site, e.g., Microsoft support, Mac support.