Perform a Deep Security Scan of Your Computer Drives

News from RWHSG

Posted by Christian Wynns on February 17th, 2016

Already in 2016, the IRS is seeing multiple email phishing scams targeting tax preparers. These scams are designed to steal sensitive information, such as a preparer’s passwords for IRS accounts or sensitive data stored on computers. The IRS recommends all tax preparers take multiple steps to guard against malware and viruses. These steps include using robust security software, performing a deep scan periodically on drives and files, ensuring that security software is updated automatically, reviewing the security plan for the preparer’s practice, and educating employees about the dangers of phishing, malware and other email scams. A security plan checklist can be found in Publication 4557, “Safeguarding Taxpayer Data.” Preparers also can share Publication 4524, “Security Awareness for Taxpayers,” to help clients take additional steps to protect their personal, financial, and tax data online and at home.IRS Security Awareness Tax Tip Number 10.