{"id":105375,"date":"2025-03-21T16:21:22","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T08:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/?p=105375"},"modified":"2025-03-11T16:25:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T08:25:30","slug":"navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/2025\/03\/navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"105375\" class=\"elementor elementor-105375\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-35fe5dd post-content elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"35fe5dd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;cef08c3&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-409a2e9a\" data-id=\"409a2e9a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2493f1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2493f1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/157611\/1062x597\/77da0523bc\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\/m\/828x0\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)\" width=\"828\" height=\"465\" \/><\/p><div class=\"Article_wrapper__8_7eU [&amp;&gt;&lt;p&gt;*+*]:mt-12\"><div class=\"richtext\"><h4 class=\"heading-md text-primary\">The tax season has always been a critical time for both individuals and businesses, but it has never been quite as fraught with cyber threats as it is these days. The hard shift to digital filing\u2014along with a constantly evolving threat environment\u2014has turned this annual ritual into a prime time for cybercrime.<\/h4><h4 class=\"heading-md text-primary\">\u00a0<\/h4><h4 class=\"heading-md text-primary\">In 2024 alone, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uncovered $9.1 billion in tax fraud cases and received nearly 300,000 reports of identity theft. Whether it\u2019s phishing emails designed to trick filers into disclosing personal details or sophisticated malware operations targeting tax professionals, cyber crooks during this period are disturbingly active. Today, we dive into the scope of these threats, examine their real-world implications, and provide practical steps to help mitigate them.<\/h4><h2 class=\"heading-xl text-primary\">The landscape of tax season cyber threats<\/h2><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Tax season generally stretches from January to mid-April, when an estimated 165 million Americans and numerous businesses hustle to prepare and file tax returns. About 80 million of those returns are prepared by Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), according to recent industry data. Unfortunately, cybercriminals treat this turn to digital transactions as an annual opportunity and launch tailored attacks that aim to exploit both individuals as well as companies.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Phishing campaigns\u00a0<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">One of the most common attack vectors is phishing\u2014where criminals send bogus emails designed to trick recipients into unsuspectingly providing sensitive personal data. These emails may appear to be from the IRS or reputable tax prep services, complete with official logos or references to \u201coverdue payments.\u201d A <a class=\"cursor-pointer focus-visible transition-colors duration-250 ease-out text-success hover:text-teal-600 active:text-teal-800\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hornetsecurity.com\/en\/blog\/cyber-security-report-2024\/\" data-ga-slug=\"Link to https:\/\/www.hornetsecurity.com\/en\/blog\/cyber-security-report-2024\/\" data-testid=\"hornetsecurity-com-en-blog-cyber-security-report-2024-in-blog-post-single\" data-link-full-refresh=\"true\"><u>2024 Hornetsecurity report<\/u><\/a> pegged phishing at 39.6% of all email-based attacks, a trend amplified during tax season.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Malware and ransomware\u00a0<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Tax forms often contain everything a hacker needs for identity theft: Social Security numbers, addresses, and banking details. And once cybercriminals gain access to your system\u2014often via hidden malware in an attachment labeled \u201ctax form\u201d or \u201csoftware update\u201d\u2014they can install spyware, key loggers, or even launch a full ransomware attack. Faced with a major filing deadline, victims might be more inclined to pay a ransom rather than miss the cut-off for submission.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">\u201cGhost\u201d preparers and fake platforms<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Cybercriminals have also found success posing as tax professionals. In such a scenario, an unsuspecting taxpayer hands over a trove of personal information\u2014bank account details, W-2 forms, Social Security numbers\u2014only to see fraudulent returns filed in their name. The IRS warns that these \u201cghost\u201d preparers usually vanish after submitting false forms and pocketing refunds\u2014with identity theft-related tax fraud costing American taxpayers $5.5 billion in 2023.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Business-focused threats\u00a0<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">For small and midsize businesses, there\u2019s another layer of complexity. Employee data\u2014including Social Security numbers, addresses, and payroll information\u2014often reside on shared drives or distributed networks. A single compromised password can open the door to large-scale identity theft or financial fraud. Given that many businesses rely on internal accounting departments or external consultants, the rate of data exchange grows. Each endpoint\u2014whether an employee\u2019s laptop or a tax preparer\u2019s login credentials\u2014can become a gateway to a breach if not safeguarded properly.<\/p><h2 class=\"heading-xl text-primary\">Why credential security matters<\/h2><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Data breaches don\u2019t usually happen because a hacker brute-forces encryption algorithms. More often, criminals follow the path of least resistance, which tends to be simple or stolen passwords. <a class=\"cursor-pointer focus-visible transition-colors duration-250 ease-out text-success hover:text-teal-600 active:text-teal-800\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/business\/resources\/reports\/dbir\/\" data-ga-slug=\"Link to https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/business\/resources\/reports\/dbir\/\" data-testid=\"verizon-com-business-resources-reports-dbir-in-blog-post-single\" data-link-full-refresh=\"true\"><u>Verizon\u2019s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report<\/u><\/a> found compromised credentials behind 74% of financial sector attacks. And so tax season, with its sudden surge in data transmissions, provides an even bigger opportunity.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Credential stuffing attacks<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Cybercriminals purchase stolen username-password pairs on the dark web and systematically test them on popular platforms. If you\u2019re in the habit of reusing passwords, a single breach on one platform can open up multiple high-value accounts to intrusion\u2014including those used for taxes.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Email account takeover<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">If hackers gain access to an email account, they can reset passwords on numerous services, intercept 2FA codes (if poorly implemented), or conduct spear-phishing attacks against your contacts. During tax season, access to a CFO\u2019s or finance manager\u2019s inbox is a potential gold mine.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Shared passwords for personal and work accounts<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">A surprisingly large number of incidents stem from people using the same or slightly modified passwords across multiple sites. If an attacker compromises your personal social media password, they can try variations of that password on your business or tax accounts.<\/p><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">With so many potential vulnerabilities arising from insecure credentials, having a robust and systematic approach to password management is critical. Employing a tool like NordPass helps create, store, and even share unique, complex passwords across a network of trusted employees or family members without the friction that leads to risk-laden \u201cshortcut\u201d practices.<\/p><h2 class=\"heading-xl text-primary\">Real-world repercussions of tax season breaches<\/h2><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Cyber threats may sound abstract until you experience them firsthand, unfortunately. So let\u2019s consider a few scenarios that can easily play out during tax season.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Hijacked refunds<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Criminals who gain access to your tax software account can alter returns, inflate refunds, and have the money deposited into their own accounts. Not only are you left without the anticipated refund, but you could be flagged for fraudulent activity by the IRS. Correcting these records requires time-consuming phone calls, paperwork, and sometimes legal counsel.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Identity theft and financial fraud<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Tax documents typically hold Social Security numbers, addresses, and full legal names\u2014crucial data for identity thieves. Armed with this information, cyber crooks can open credit lines, apply for loans, and even file additional fraudulent tax returns under your identity. The IRS estimates that scammers committed <b>$5.5 billion<\/b> in tax fraud in the last year alone, much of it fueled by stolen credentials.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Operational disruption and ransomware<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">If a ransomware attack locks down your systems during peak filing season, you may be faced with the unenviable choice of paying the ransom or missing the filing deadline. When your business\u2019s entire payroll system is frozen, you stand to lose not only money but also the trust of your employees, clients, and partners.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Legal and regulatory trouble<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Businesses are required by law to protect employee data. Should a breach involving W-2 forms occur, state and federal regulators might levy hefty fines, and employees could file lawsuits. For small businesses, these legal battles can negatively impact public reputation or even outright ruin the business financially.\u00a0<\/p><h2 class=\"heading-xl text-primary\">Tips for protecting credentials and mitigating risk<\/h2><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Given the scale of digital threats, securing your online identity during the tax filing process necessitates proactive strategies. Below are tangible measures for individuals and organizations.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Use strong, unique passwords<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Avoid dictionary words, common phrases, or personal references. Never reuse passwords across services, especially for tax prep, payroll systems, and personal email accounts.<\/p><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Consider adopting a trusted password manager such as <b>NordPass<\/b>, which can generate intricate passwords and store them securely.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Whenever available, activate MFA on all platforms connected to your finances or email. This extra verification layer can help thwart criminals who may have stolen or guessed your password.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Stay wary of suspicious links and attachments<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Phishing remains the easiest door into your personal or corporate systems. Even a single click on a malicious link or attachment can deliver spyware or ransomware. So make sure to always check the email sender\u2019s address carefully, and manually visit official IRS or tax software sites by typing in the address rather than clicking a link.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Conduct routine account monitoring<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Regularly review bank statements, credit reports, and your IRS tax account. If you see unfamiliar activity, act immediately. If you\u2019re a business, schedule monthly or quarterly audits of software access logs to identify potential anomalies.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Update software and systems<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Ensuring your operating system, antivirus, and tax software are current can close known vulnerabilities that criminals might aim to exploit. Encourage employees to run updates as soon as they\u2019re available, rather than postponing them.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Limit access privileges<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">In a business environment, not every staff member needs access to all financial or payroll details. Adopt the principle of least privilege to shrink your attack surface.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">For additional protection, consider segmenting your network so that critical tax data is walled off from the rest of the organization\u2019s operations.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Verify tax preparers\u2019 credentials<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Legitimate preparers must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). A lot of Americans entrust CPAs and other pros to handle their tax returns, so it\u2019s vital to confirm the authenticity of anyone who deals with your finances. \u201cGhost preparers\u201d who refuse to sign returns or demand unusual payment methods are immediate red flags.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Maintain an incident response plan<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Outline the steps you\u2019ll take if a breach does occur: who will you call first? How will you isolate infected systems? For businesses, having a tested response plan can drastically minimize downtime and financial loss in a worst-case scenario.<\/p><h2 class=\"heading-xl text-primary\">Security-first culture<\/h2><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Technical defenses cannot fully compensate for employees or household members who lack security awareness. Training and vigilance must become habits. When staffers comprehend the risks of phishing emails\u2014or why weak passwords are a liability\u2014they usually become active participants security-wise.<\/p><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Tax season, with its tightly packed deadlines and sudden influx of external correspondences, is especially prone to mistakes. Criminals place their bets on hectic schedules and the assumption that nobody reads the fine print in a rush. By fostering an environment where it\u2019s standard practice to confirm suspicious queries or check unplanned attachments, you reduce the chance of inadvertent leaks.<\/p><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Of course, tools like NordPass help avoid the pitfalls of shared spreadsheets or stray Post-it notes with login data by providing secure credential storage and encrypted sharing, drastically reducing the friction that leads people to reuse or create weak passwords.\u00a0<\/p><h2 class=\"heading-xl text-primary\">Beyond tax season: building a resilient foundation<\/h2><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Keeping digital attackers at bay during tax season shouldn\u2019t be a last-minute scramble. It must be part of a larger, year-round approach to cybersecurity. Tax season simply throws these issues into the spotlight because the stakes\u2014and the volume of targeted scams\u2014are higher.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">View security as ongoing<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">While certain threats may peak from January to April, scammers work continuously. Make sure your security protocols\u2014 from patch management to employee training\u2014are consistent and not just \u201ctax-time activities.\u201d<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Leverage intelligence and reports<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">The IRS publishes alerts on emerging scams. Likewise, major cybersecurity outlets offer real-time threat briefings. By staying updated on known risks, you can proactively adjust or harden policies.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Invest in infrastructure<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">For businesses, upgrading legacy systems and implementing advanced threat detection can prevent criminals from exploiting outdated software. For individuals, maintaining secure Wi-Fi networks and establishing personal firewalls can be an impactful step.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Strengthen vendor and partner relationships<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">If your business deals with external tax preparers or payroll service providers, insist on strong security practices and confirm that they uphold data-protection protocols. Transparent discussions about cybersecurity responsibilities can avert confusion or blame in the event of a breach.<\/p><h3 class=\"heading-lg text-primary\">Encourage swift reporting<\/h3><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">If something does go wrong\u2014like an employee clicking a suspicious link\u2014delays in reporting can allow malware to spread or cyber crooks to siphon off data unnoticed. Cultivate a culture where immediate reporting, rather than fear of reprimand, is the norm.<\/p><h2 class=\"heading-xl text-primary\">Wrapping up<\/h2><p class=\"body-md text-primary\">Amid the hustle of calculating deductions, aligning your statements, and meeting deadlines, it\u2019s all too easy to underestimate the value of robust credential security. Yet, in the end, the difference between a secure, worry-free filing and a catastrophic breach often hinges on consistent, disciplined adherence to fundamental security principles. As you gather receipts, consult accountants, or log in to tax software, remember that each login credential is a potential gateway. By making calculated, informed decisions, you maintain control over your security.<\/p><p class=\"body-md text-primary\"><br \/><br \/><br \/><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2004c86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"2004c86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"page\" data-elementor-id=\"63567\" class=\"elementor elementor-63567\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-45e3ec76 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"45e3ec76\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;c4f773e&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-311e216d\" data-id=\"311e216d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d9a2e6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d9a2e6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>About NordPass<br \/><\/strong>NordPass is developed by Nord Security, a company leading the global market of cybersecurity products.<\/p><p>The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"page\" data-elementor-id=\"18103\" class=\"elementor elementor-18103\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-748947f elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"748947f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;c4f773e&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7995c19\" data-id=\"7995c19\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a437045 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"a437045\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\">About Version 2 Digital<\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.\n<br><br>\nThrough an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-51a2bcf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"51a2bcf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c73a037\" data-id=\"c73a037\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-821bef5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"821bef5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The tax season has always been a critical time for both [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149011790,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1129,1305,973,61],"tags":[1131,974,1077],"class_list":["post-105375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nordpass","category-1305","category-nord-security","category-press-release","tag-nordpass","tag-nord-security","tag-1077"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks - Version 2<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"zh_HK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks - Version 2\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The tax season has always been a critical time for both [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Version 2\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-21T08:21:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/157611\/1062x597\/77da0523bc\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\/m\/828x0\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"tracylamv2\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"\u4f5c\u8005\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"tracylamv2\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"\u9810\u8a08\u95b1\u8b80\u6642\u9593\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 \u5206\u9418\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"tracylamv2\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/011bc7c3731c930bcfeecd52fefb6365\"},\"headline\":\"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-21T08:21:22+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1919,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/a.storyblok.com\\\/f\\\/157611\\\/1062x597\\\/77da0523bc\\\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\\\/m\\\/828x0\\\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)\",\"keywords\":[\"NordPass\",\"Nord Security\",\"2025\"],\"articleSection\":[\"NordPass\",\"2025\",\"Nord Security\",\"Press Release\"],\"inLanguage\":\"zh-HK\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/\",\"name\":\"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks - Version 2\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/a.storyblok.com\\\/f\\\/157611\\\/1062x597\\\/77da0523bc\\\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\\\/m\\\/828x0\\\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-21T08:21:22+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"zh-HK\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"zh-HK\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/a.storyblok.com\\\/f\\\/157611\\\/1062x597\\\/77da0523bc\\\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\\\/m\\\/828x0\\\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/a.storyblok.com\\\/f\\\/157611\\\/1062x597\\\/77da0523bc\\\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\\\/m\\\/828x0\\\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nordpass.com\\\/blog\\\/tax-season-security-risks\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"\u9996\u9801\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/\",\"name\":\"Version 2\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"zh-HK\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Version 2\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"zh-HK\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/version-2.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/08\\\/v2-hk-hor-4.png?fit=1795%2C335&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/version-2.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/08\\\/v2-hk-hor-4.png?fit=1795%2C335&ssl=1\",\"width\":1795,\"height\":335,\"caption\":\"Version 2\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/011bc7c3731c930bcfeecd52fefb6365\",\"name\":\"tracylamv2\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"zh-HK\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9d01d79cbfd8b2e878f5d701a362cc9fca466d33fec977b59706c23c1a2db15c?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9d01d79cbfd8b2e878f5d701a362cc9fca466d33fec977b59706c23c1a2db15c?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9d01d79cbfd8b2e878f5d701a362cc9fca466d33fec977b59706c23c1a2db15c?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"tracylamv2\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/version-2.com\\\/zh\\\/author\\\/tracylamv2\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks - Version 2","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/","og_locale":"zh_HK","og_type":"article","og_title":"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks - Version 2","og_description":"The tax season has always been a critical time for both [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/","og_site_name":"Version 2","article_published_time":"2025-03-21T08:21:22+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/157611\/1062x597\/77da0523bc\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\/m\/828x0\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"tracylamv2","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"\u4f5c\u8005":"tracylamv2","\u9810\u8a08\u95b1\u8b80\u6642\u9593":"10 \u5206\u9418"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/2025\/03\/navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks\/"},"author":{"name":"tracylamv2","@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#\/schema\/person\/011bc7c3731c930bcfeecd52fefb6365"},"headline":"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks","datePublished":"2025-03-21T08:21:22+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/2025\/03\/navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks\/"},"wordCount":1919,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/157611\/1062x597\/77da0523bc\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\/m\/828x0\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)","keywords":["NordPass","Nord Security","2025"],"articleSection":["NordPass","2025","Nord Security","Press Release"],"inLanguage":"zh-HK"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/2025\/03\/navigating-tax-season-safely-an-overview-of-credential-security-risks\/","url":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/","name":"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks - Version 2","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/157611\/1062x597\/77da0523bc\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\/m\/828x0\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)","datePublished":"2025-03-21T08:21:22+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"zh-HK","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"zh-HK","@id":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/157611\/1062x597\/77da0523bc\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\/m\/828x0\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)","contentUrl":"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/157611\/1062x597\/77da0523bc\/tis-the-tax-season-1062x597-2.png\/m\/828x0\/filters:quality(60):format(avif)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/nordpass.com\/blog\/tax-season-security-risks\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"\u9996\u9801","item":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Navigating tax season safely: an overview of credential security risks"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#website","url":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/","name":"Version 2","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"zh-HK"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#organization","name":"Version 2","url":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"zh-HK","@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/version-2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/v2-hk-hor-4.png?fit=1795%2C335&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/version-2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/v2-hk-hor-4.png?fit=1795%2C335&ssl=1","width":1795,"height":335,"caption":"Version 2"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/#\/schema\/person\/011bc7c3731c930bcfeecd52fefb6365","name":"tracylamv2","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"zh-HK","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9d01d79cbfd8b2e878f5d701a362cc9fca466d33fec977b59706c23c1a2db15c?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9d01d79cbfd8b2e878f5d701a362cc9fca466d33fec977b59706c23c1a2db15c?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9d01d79cbfd8b2e878f5d701a362cc9fca466d33fec977b59706c23c1a2db15c?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"tracylamv2"},"url":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/author\/tracylamv2\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbQRKm-rpB","post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/149011790"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105375"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105382,"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105375\/revisions\/105382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}