Looking out for ways to protect your identity online? Here is a 7 step guide to online identity theft solutions. Read on!
Online identity theft is rampant, and it’s going to get worse as technology becomes more prevalent in our lives. A victim of identity theft could lose access to their financial accounts or be charged for a crime they didn’t commit. You don’t have to unplug from the Internet to stay safe; there are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself online, including doing the following.
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7 Steps of Online Identity Theft Solutions to Protect Your Identity Online
Here is a 7 step guide to protecting your online identity,
Step 1: Use a Theft Protection and Monitoring Software
One of the best identity theft protection solutions is using software that can encrypt your data and monitor your computer for potential threats. Identity Guard, for example, uses IBM’s Watson, which is the AI software that is capable of building a corpus of knowledge from different sources, like social media, to continuously stay one step ahead of hackers. Its service monitors most of your personal information, like your date of birth, SSN, and credit card files.
Step 2: Purchase a VPN for Streaming and Torrent
Whereas a theft protection software blocks anyone who is at the door from coming in, a VPN acts like a doorman. A VPN can help protect against identity theft by creating an encrypted tunnel for your data to receive and send information, putting it out of reach for cyber thieves. When used with theft protection software, it will be nearly impossible for anyone to hack you.
Step 3: Shred Your Documents
Never throw away any papers or documents that have sensitive information on them, or your personal info could be stolen by dumpster divers. Shred anything with your name on it, as a rule. Even if you think someone can’t extract information off of a document, shred it anyway.
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Step 4: Use Strong Passwords
It’s necessary for you to secure your documents with a password, but they need to be strong to work. In 2021, 23 million account holders in the US still use 123456 as a password, and 57% of people who have been scammed already haven’t changed their passwords. Don’t be like them. Use strong passwords that are over 12 characters long and include symbols and numbers.
Step 5: Don’t Be Fooled – Use online identity theft solutions
Scammers don’t play nice, and neither should you. If you ever receive a phone call from someone asking for your personal information, ask them where you can reach them after you’re done investigating.
If you receive a mysterious email from an unfamiliar source, don’t open any of the attachments or links, or viruses will download to your computer. Keep your personal information close to your chest and only provide details to trusted businesses or banks.
Step 6: Lock Your Phone (Hide From Shoulder Checkers)
The smartphone in your pocket is a thief’s dream because they’ll have access to most of your private information. Passwords protect your phone in case you drop it, someone steals it, or it gets lost. You could also use fingerprint or facial recognition for extra security. In addition, keep your info away from shoulder checkers who are trying to steal your information.
Social media is another commonplace that’s consistently targeted by hackers; that’s why it’s a good idea not to overshare on your trips out of the house. It’s OK to provide updates about your vacations, road trips, or outings on social media, but save it for when you get home.
As a rule, never, ever tell your followers that you’re “on your way to the airport,” at the hotel, or how long you’re staying in the Bahamas. Thieves will see that and know you aren’t home.
While this may go without saying, it’s also ideal not to share information about your identity. Don’t post your phone number, address, or credit card information, even in DMs.
Claire writes on a diverse range of topics from productivity to technology to remote work to the latest trends in the areas of work and collaboration. Her passion lies with content marketing and search optimization.
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