The Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners is recommending tax professionals who work remotely should utilize a Virtual Private Network. That recommendation came this week as the IRS reported an upswing in data theft from criminals trying to take advantage of COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments.
The IRS noted a “VPN provides a secure, encrypted tunnel to transmit data between a remote user via the internet and the company network.” It said cybercriminals can use phishing emails or unsecured networks to control a tax professionals computer and file tax returns but change bank account information for refunds.
It also worked against using “pop-ups” on websites for VPN or any kind of security software.
In addition, the IRS noted most tax software providers are offering multi-factor authentication. This means a returning user to the software product must enter their username password, along with a security code, generally sent as a text to a mobile phone.
Te IRS and the Security Summit partners urge tax practitioners to review the security measures outlined in Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data (PDF).
Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards. Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that. A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind