However, unauthorised access to your Adwords account is very much a reality without undertaking some precautionary methods. Though some of the following points seem obvious, it is essential to always be aware of the risks, whether through phishing, malware, or unauthorised logins.
Below are a few prevention tips to keep your account safe:
Phishing Prevention
1. Don’t reply to, or click links within, emails that ask for personal, financial or account information.
2. Check the message headers. The ‘From:’ address and the ‘Return-path’ should reference the same source.
3. If on a secure page, look for “https” at the beginning of the URL and the padlock icon in the browser.
4. Use strong passwords. A strong password should be unique; include letters, numbers and symbols; and be changed regularly.
Malware Prevention
1. Keep your computer’s antivirus, spyware, browser and security patches up to date, and run system scans regularly.
2. Exercise caution whenever you’re prompted to download an email attachment, follow an instant-message link, install a plug-in or download an unfamiliar piece of software. Remember that crimeware can be disguised to resemble anti-virus software. Always research a company’s reputation before downloading its software or visiting its website.
Unauthorised Login Prevention
1. Secure and encrypt your wireless network.
2. Don’t leave your computer unattended. If you’re using a public terminal, make sure that you log out of all your accounts before you leave.
3. Assign a separate login to each user. Don’t share logins and passwords.