Internet security

Using social media, shopping online, using email, or surfing the Internet shouldn't leave you vulnerable to virus attacks, identity theft, or other security breaches. That’s why it's important to educate yourself on these security threats and how to protect yourself.

Verizon contacted me regarding a security threat
Verizon may contact customers regarding network security threats when our network monitoring tools have detected a significant amount of harmful network traffic coming from a home or office network. These threats pose a privacy and security risk to individuals and the broader network. If contacted, it is likely that a device within your home or office is infected with malware.

If you are contacted in this regard, pursuant to Verizon's Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy, we ask that you disconnect any such devices from your home or office network. This is an effort to protect your privacy and the network. We also ask that you contact the manufacturer's support department to determine how to properly secure the device, including closing any network ports on the device(s) exposed to the public Internet. Once fully patched with the most up to date firmware and software, please ensure that you protect access to the device by changing the admin login credentials. Use a strong password for all access points including remote viewing of the cameras. Once that is complete you may return the device to your network, and contact Verizon technical support at 800.837.4966. Please see more detailed information below.

Should these efforts fail and the device is once again found to be leveraged as an attack host, we will ask for the removal of the device until the vendor can devise an acceptable remediation.
Steps to remediate the security threat:

Immediate actions to take

Disconnect the device from your home or business internet network

Disable Wifi on the device

Remove any wired connection

Additional actions to take

Contact the device manufacturer

Get the latest software updates available for your device

Change the password on the device

Do not use the default password

Strong Passwords

Are unique and not used anywhere else.

Are not common or easily guessable.

A longer password or passphrase is better than a short, complex password.

Include a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Disconnect the device from power (unplug the device) for several minutes, and reconnect

Advanced settings to discuss with the device manufacture

Universal Plug and Play should not be required/enabled to allow remote access. This is likely what led to the infection.

If the device offers a cloud service, secure application, tunnel, or VPN to control who can remotely access the device, work with the manufacturer to use this secure remote access method. Doing so should help prevent unauthorized users from remotely accessing your device.

DMZ or Port Forwarding should not be required/enabled in your router to allow remote access.

Tips to protect yourself

Internet-connected devices

From smart speakers to thermostats, TVs to cameras, our household devices have multiplied and many are able to connect to the Internet through your home router. As convenient and handy as these smart devices are, they can pose risks to you, your family and your home network if not properly secured.

Tips to protect yourself:
Before purchasing and installing your devices, do your homework. Make sure the devices you are purchasing allow you to change default usernames and passwords and perform regular and automatic software updates. If it’s unclear whether the device offers these capabilities, contact the seller or manufacturer. If you are unable to confirm whether the device supports password changes and software updates, or if you are able to confirm that it does not, don’t purchase it--find something more secure.

When installing your smart devices, be sure to do the following:

Carefully follow the manufacturer’s set-up and security instructions.
Change the default usernames and passwords of the devices, since those credentials may be publicly available. A strong password should consist of at least 8 or more characters and have numbers, letters (uppercase and lowercase) and special characters. The longer the password, the better.
Adjust the default privacy settings to determine which data gets collected and shared. Limit accordingly.
Disable features you don’t need, such as microphone, speaker or remote access administration. Disable or disallow access to the device from outside of your home network unless you are confident that you have properly secured remote access.
Enable automatic software updates on devices. Using the latest device software versions can help protect you from vulnerabilities.
Be mindful of where you place your smart devices to ensure your privacy is protected.
Be sure to turn off the device when not in use.
If the device is a video camera, smart home device, or other device that you want to be able to access from outside your home, for example through an app on your smartphone, it is especially important to make sure the device is secured from hackers and other Internet users by following steps above, otherwise anyone can take control of your device and use it for their purposes or to harm you.

Viruses, worms and spyware

Computer worms, viruses, spyware and other malicious programs can destroy or steal data and personal information. Without your knowledge, hackers can use viruses to harvest your personal information, steal your money, credit and identity.

Tips to protect yourself:

Protect your computers from harmful programs by keeping your antivirus software up-to-date
Install security patches and updates as recommended by your operating system (Windows or MacOS) and other software vendors

Identify theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number or other confidential information to open new accounts, make purchases or get a tax refund. This can occur by way of a phone call or an email from an allegedly legitimate business or individual. It might even happen when someone searches your trash for mail containing personal information and credit card receipts.

Tips to protect yourself:

Closely guard all personal information
If you are not absolutely certain you know the person or business you're talking to, be suspicious, ask questions and request callback information
Shred all documents, credit cards and applications before placing them in the trash
Check your credit annually through a reputable credit bureau

Phishing

Phishing emails are made to look as though they are from a legitimate company. The email may tell you that some sort of service normally provided to you is due to expire soon. The email directs you to a phony website and asks you to provide personal information such as a credit card or Social Security number so that your service can be continued.

Tips to protect yourself:

Check for misspelled words in the email and closely examine the return address
If you never pre-enrolled with the company to do business via email, be suspicious
Contact the company you normally do business with and ask them to verify the request

Verizon Security Products

Digital Secure

Digital Secure is an all-in-one suite of privacy and security tools for your mobile devices and home computers. Safeguard your internet connection and personal data with anti-virus, anti-malware and identity theft protection. App download is required.

Home Network Protection

Home Network Protection (HNP) is a free service on your Verizon Fios Quantum Gateway Router or Fios Router that, once enabled, will automatically protect all connected devices in your home network, including non-display Internet of Things (IoT) devices (sometimes called 'headless' devices) such as smart thermostats or smart refrigerators. Home Network Protection is already loaded on your Fios Router. It also includes parental controls to manage your family’s devices.

Verizon Protect Home

Verizon Protect Home provides protection for your eligible home entertainment and smart home products, plus digital security features and premium tech support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spyware?
Spyware is a type of malicious software or malware that monitors your activity on your computer and then transmits this information to a third party without your knowledge or consent.
How would I know if I have Spyware on my computer?
Spyware can impact your computer's performance, cause your web browser and other applications to close or stop responding as well as impact your ability to access the Internet.
How can I protect my computer from Spyware?
Most current antivirus software includes protection from Spyware. Ensure you keep your antivirus software up to date

Be very careful when downloading software from the Internet

Don’t click on email or website links; go to the software provider’s page directly

Verify that your web browser security settings provide the appropriate level of security

Verizon Protect Home offers one comprehensive security solution which helps protect all covered devices (including smartphones and tablets) from online threats like viruses, spyware and malware
What is a firewall and how can it protect me?
Firewalls provide a barrier between your computer and the Internet and are one of the most effective ways to protect against hackers, viruses, worms and other malware. They monitor network traffic and decide whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of security rules.

Software Firewalls: Recent Windows Operating Systems have built in firewalls and are turned on by default. Software, such as Verizon’s Internet Security also contain a firewall

Hardware Firewalls: Routers can serve as a firewall protecting your home network. It's important to also have software firewalls on each computer within your home network to prevent viruses from spreading. Verizon’s home router provides a basic firewall in which you can apply high, medium, and low security access settings
Advanced Parental Controls - Keep kids safe online
Protect children of all ages from exposure to inappropriate content, social networking risks, strangers and other online threats with McAfee Safe Family.

McAfee Safe Family is included in Verizon’s Digital Security Pro and provides: Advanced parental controls

Track kids’ online usage and history

Restrict kids’ time online and app usage

Change protections on the fly

To learn more about how to keep you and your family safe online visit StaySafeOnline.org - National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA).

Internet security

Verizon contacted me regarding a security threat

Steps to remediate the security threat:

Immediate actions to take

Additional actions to take

Advanced settings to discuss with the device manufacture

Tips to protect yourself

Internet-connected devices

Viruses, worms and spyware

Identify theft

Phishing

See also:

Verizon Security Products

Digital Secure

Home Network Protection

Verizon Protect Home

See also:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spyware?

How would I know if I have Spyware on my computer?

How can I protect my computer from Spyware?

What is a firewall and how can it protect me?

Advanced Parental Controls - Keep kids safe online

See also:

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