Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Identity theft has been common for a long time. Traditionally, identity theft required something like a credit card or driver’s license to be physically stolen. More recently, identity theft became even more damaging because hackers steal personal information from the internet or your computer without your awareness. In the last five years, 1 in 8 Americans has been the victim of internet identity theft. Here are some tips on how you can prevent it.
1) Don’t provide more information than necessary. Only fill out boxes that are required information, and consider giving fake information when transactions aren’t business related.
2) Make sure you’re using a secure connection by looking for a lock in your browser’s status bar and https in the address bar.
3) Clean out your browser’s cache, and don’t use cookies. Even if you’re logging into a trustworthy site, the cache on your computer stores information, which hackers can access.
4) Use programs to increase your computer’s safety. Programs like IdentityFinder, MyTruston, ZoneAlarm, Symantec Norton Personal Firewall, Intego NetBarrier, Sustainable Softworks IPNetSentry, and Open Door Networks Who's There can help protect you. Once you have virus protection, make sure to keep it updated.
5) Be careful with your email. Don’t download files from strangers or open suspicious emails. Be wary of emails from banks requesting personal email. Take care of bank issues by going to the bank’s website, not through links in the email.
Comments
Identity theft is become a big problem for everyone, as you mentioned 1 in 8 Americans!!!! You are absolutely right, everybody must protect themselves from Identit... theft. So here I am adding one more tip
1. Pick up bank checks from the bank rather than through mail.