Login credentials

It further said that "if a password is hacked or stolen, it can result in information security breach, leading to undesirable consequences, including privacy violations". It asked taxpayers to exercise caution in use of log-in credentials at TRACES, which should not be disclosed to any unintended or unauthorized individual. "If shared, the person using login credentials shall also be liable to consequences," it added.

Traces

TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System (TRACES) helps easy filing of tax deducted at source (TDS) or tax collected at source (TCS) correction statements by deductors/collectors and related functionalities.

Set the strong password

The taxman asked users to secure their password with at least eight characters in length and a combination of lower case, upper case, numeric and special characters. "Do not write your password on notepads or the whiteboard at your desk," it cautioned. Read Also: Smart Tips To Set Your Internet Banking Passwords

Don't store data in computers

IT department warned about keeping information on computers. "Keeping sensitive information such as passwords in e-mails, folders, and files in the computer can be risky. If the e-mail or computer account is hacked, then the perpetrator could misuse the passwords, steal money from your bank accounts, misuse your e-mail account or credit/debit card to access sensitive information from your machine," reports PTI.

Don't use the same password for all accounts

IT department also asked users not to use the same password for different accounts. "Using the same password for more than one account is similar to carrying one key that unlocks your house, car, office and safety deposit box. One lost key could let a mischievous unauthorized user unlock all doors," the department warned. It went on to advise against sharing log-in credentials as also using the login credentials of any person other than the authorized one appointed by the deductor for carrying out any activity on TRACES.