FINRA Issues Cybersecurity Investor Alert

STOCKBROKER LAW - Posted on April 1, 2015

On February 3, 2015, FINRA issued an investor alert, entitled “Cybersecurity and
Your Brokerage Firm,” outlining the essential questions investors should ask that brokerage
firms regarding the safeguarding of their personal information and assets. The alert cautions investors
to be aware of security steps associated with password and PIN numbers and the need to safeguard this
information, and also discusses the interface investors might encounter when accessing their accounts
from differing computer devices, such as a home desktop computer versus a mobile device.

The alert also recommends that investors not use the same password for multiple accounts and that
investors periodically change their passwords, use up-to-date firewall and anti-virus programs, and make
sure that they formally log out of all on-line sessions, once they have finished reviewing accounts
on-line.

The alert also warns investors of emerging sophisticated phishing techniques and e-mail scams designed to
lure investors to provide brokerage account information, passwords and PIN numbers, Social Security
numbers, and other types of confidential information.

The Law Offices of Timothy J. O’Connor practices securities law in the Tri-City Capital District of
Albany, Schenectady and Troy. We also represent victimized investors throughout the rest of New York
State, including Buffalo, Binghamton, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Utica, Kingston, Poughkeepsie,
New York City/Manhattan, Long Island, and everywhere in between, as well as in the surrounding
states of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New Jersey.