Identity Theft: How to Make Sure your Personal Online Information is Protected

Cyber Security  

As our world becomes more connected, the threat of identity theft grows. Here are a few simple steps you can do to protect your identity.

Daily your personal information remains in jeopardy online. As our world becomes more connected, the threat of identity theft grows. If you’re already cross-shredding documents with identifying information and using strong passwords, you’ve made a start. You can further protect your identity with simple steps.

General Safety

Use a combination of firewalls, a VPN, anti-spam/virus software, and an identity theft protection service to protect your online data and communications. Set your protection software to automatically update security patches. Change your passwords for Internet accounts every few months and use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.

Related articles

• ID on the Run: Identity Theft & Fraud Scorches On
• Peter W. Singer On The Robot Revolution
• Rodney Brooks on Why We Will Rely on Robots 

Instruct children to not share their full name, your name, home address, or school name or address online. Choose an ISP that provides children’s controls, so you can lock them out of social media and adult-oriented sites.

Financial Safety

A common scam imitates the IRS in a phone call, e-mail, or social media, claiming either an audit or refund. The IRS states it initiates contact with taxpayers by postal mail. It doesn’t request information via e-mail or social media. If you receive such an e-mail, do not reply or open any attachments. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov.

Other common scams include offers of payment for accepting foreign payments or claims you’ve won a monetary prize. Don’t share banking information or your Social Security number unless you know the party, for instance, a new employer. Leave your Social Security number and your address off of your resume.

Place a freeze on your credit report with each of the three credit reporting agencies. A thief can’t obtain a credit card or loan without having a report run. The credit reporting agency immediately contacts you if it receives a request. You can have the freeze temporarily lifted, then restored, using a security code or password you created at set up, if you need to have a report run, for instance, for a car loan.

Account & Device Restoration

Identity theft protection services, like Bask, can help you by handling technical items such as anti-virus software installation, maintenance, and monitoring your online accounts for inappropriate activity. Protection services also handle spyware removal remotely and device restoration post-attack.

Taking a few steps beyond the basics can improve your online safety. Work as a family to protect your identity, and consult experts who can improve your safety with professional tools.

By Lizzie Weakley

Embed