Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, with personal information being used by hackers to access credit and banking information from hundreds of thousands of victims. This is a crime which can cause devastating financial problems for the victims. As more people do their banking, socializing, and shopping online, it has become vitally important to keep personal information as private as possible. We have created a list of ways you can improve the security of your information online.
- If you are entering any personal information online for banking or shopping purposes, remember that hackers can easily access your information. Make sure you are entering passwords, answers to security questions, or payment information only on secure sites.
- Although it can be tempting to share intimate details of your life on social networking sites, remember that criminals look for victims in all sorts of situations, so be very selective about the things you choose to post.
- On social networks like Facebook or Twitter, make sure you know your “friends.” Do not accept requests from people you do not personally know, as this could make you a target for online predators.
- Separate email accounts for banking and password resetting can increase your protection against cyber criminals if your personal or main email is hacked into. You should also use different servers, such as Yahoo and Gmail, and different usernames and passwords.
- For every account you have, use a different username and password. Although it can get confusing, you are greatly increasing your online security by doing so. Also, avoid using passwords that are easily guessed, like your children’s names or birthdays.
- Change your passwords frequently. Using the same one for years increases the chances of it being discovered.
- Many sites, especially financial ones, require the use of your mother’s maiden name as a security measure. It is a good idea to use a false name for these types of sites, as the maiden name of your mother can be easily discovered.
- There are many different types of software that can manage passwords or act as an online safe for your data. Consider using one of these, as well as an up-to-date anti-virus/anti-spyware program. Schedule scans regularly even if you do not think you visit unsecure sites; you will be surprised to find out how much information can get through.
- Secure sites will be denoted by a padlock symbol, or a web address that begins with https://. Make sure any site asking for personal information has either of those in order to be sure your information is secure.
- Although most email servers have excellent spam filters, many emails can come through that look like they are from a legitimate company. Remember that legitimate sites will never request your password or account information, and if you receive an email asking for it, you should report it. Also, never click on or open an email that comes from an unknown source. These can be phishing scams and should be reported.
Although there are many different ways for cyber criminals to access personal information, taking proper steps to keep your personal information private can reduce the risk of you becoming a victim.
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Do you have any tips or advice for identity protection? Why not tell us about them, by leaving a comment below.
