Identity Theft - 10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Good Name!
Identity Theft is one of the most serious problems facing
Internet users. Identity Theft is exactly as the name states -
someone steals your Identity and commits fraud in your name. It
can result in untold financial and legal problems that may
literally ruin your peace of mind and/or your life. Someone
gaining control of your most personal details can reck havoc and
result in dire consequences for you and your family.
So you must do everything in your power to prevent
Identity Theft. Actually, if you follow some simple 'common
sense' procedures - you can reduce your risk significantly.
Follow these simple steps and you may prevent yourself from
becoming a victim of Identity Theft.
Please keep in mind, any computer connected to the Internet can
be hacked! The only way to be 100% safe from Identity Theft is
to not use a computer or the Internet. Even then, many banking
institutions and government agencies may have your vital
information in their hands and possibly online - so no one is
really safe!
Despite this grime prospect, there are many things you can
personally do to protect yourself from Identity Theft. Simple
safeguards that can stop would-be thieves in their tracks and
make it difficult for anyone to misuse your well earned good
name and reputation.
Try these relatively simple steps:
1. If you do a lot of surfing on the web - set your own
security standards! Most browsers will let you set the
security level of your connections. If you're using Internet
Explorer, click on Tools in the task bar, go to Internet Options
and set your level of security. Try to set this to as high a
standard as you can.
2. Place a firewall on your computer or network. A
firewall is a system or gateway that prevents unauthorized
access to your computer or private network. It is usually the
first line of defense in protecting your private information or
data. A good firewall will help protect you from malicious
attacks of spyware, adware, malware, worms, trojans, and
hackers. There is no reason not to have a firewall in place, you
can download a free firewall from www.zonealarm.com for your
personal use.
3. Get a good anti-virus software program that will help
protect your computer against spyware, adware, malware and so
on. Purchasing such a program that is updated regularly will
save you money in the long run and will add an extra layer of
protection for your PC.
4. Don't store your vital information (credit card
numbers, family information, passwords, etc.) on your personal
computer, instead store it on CDs or floppy disks or on a
computer that is not connected to the Internet.
5. If you use passwords, make sure they are hard-to-guess
passwords. You should have passwords that are at least eight
characters long - consisting of a mixture of numbers, upper case
and lower case letters. Many security experts suggest changing
your passwords regularly.
6. Never open emails from people you don't know.
Especially, don't open any attachments until they are properly
scanned for viruses and spyware.
7. Be aware of phishing - this is where you get an
official looking (though fake) email from companies that you may
be doing business with - never use a link in these emails to
provide personal information. Always open a new browser window
and type in your 'own' links you have for these companies or
sites. Most secure connections will start with "https://"
8. Regularly check your operating system and download any
updates that may contain security patches and fixes for
your PC.
9. Use an encryption service if you can. This will also
help in protecting your vital data from prying eyes.
10. Always shut down your computer when its not in use -
especially if you have a cable Internet connection. And make
sure you know who is using your computer. Keep track of family
members or friends who have access to your computer.
No doubt there are many more ways to protect yourself against
Identity Theft but following and implementing the above steps
will give you added protection and peace of mind. In the same
light, don't let your guard down -- always be aware of your
surfing habits and the information or programs on your computer.
Keep a close eye on your PC; any slow down or unorthodox
operations should be checked out immediately. Scan your machine
regularly, and check out any unauthorized attempts to access
your computer. Keep your machine clean.
Believe it or not, a little common sense will go a long way in
stopping Identity Theft and keeping your good name safe!