Internet Safety Tips for Preventing Identity Theft
Internet Safety Rules Can Help Fight Identity Theft
Courtesy of Credit.PrivacyMatters.comSM
Practicing Internet identity theft prevention isn't always easy. But consider the alternative.
While you're busy living your life, going to work and trying to make ends meet, identity thieves, hackers and other online criminals are planning their next moves — moves that count on your disregard for Internet safety and security. If you don't beat identity thieves at their own game now, there's a good chance they'll make you pay later.
What are some of the ways I can prevent identity theft?
Preventing identity theft starts with acknowledging that Internet identity theft is real. Failure to do that will probably make you a prime target to have your personal information swiped. Just look at the statistics: According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it's very possible that the number of identity theft victims could increase by more than 500,000 every year.1 That's frightening, given that there have already been about 27 million victims identified since 2002.
But the good news is that many identity theft prevention experts believe that online thieves are creatures of habit who often resort to a few tried-and-true scams to get ahead. If you know what they're likely to do, the following tips and safeguards can offer you a better chance of preventing identity theft from happening:
- Safeguard your passwords. Wireless technology is the epitome of modern convenience. You can go to an Internet café or a coffee shop, or work right out of your hotel room. Internet identity thieves know this too, and problems can start when you get careless with passwords. Keep an eye out for "shoulder surfers," those that will literally try to "sneak a peek" at your computer screen while you're logging in. And try to avoid sharing passwords with someone else. Even the most loyal of your friends can't safeguard your personal information as well as you can.
- Watch out for phishers. While you're busy working, so are online identity thieves called "phishers" — rigging up online hooks to get your password or baiting you with phony websites designed to get your Social Security number and other personal information. To stay proactive and fight back, be on the lookout for such scams. If someone asks you for your personal information online, please think twice before surrendering it.
- Consider installing anti-spyware software. As incidents of online identity theft have increased over the years, software developers have been hard at work developing filters, firewalls and other anti-theft programs and protocols to combat the problem. Make sure to take advantage of these anti-theft measures at work, and consider installing spyware prevention software to your home computer. The time spent on protecting personal information is worth the peace of mind you'll gain in return.
- Understand online dating safety. Even though some experts say that the online dating industry has shown some decline in recent years, it's still a $1 billion industry in the U.S. alone.2 And with thousands of online dating services and social sites (like My Space and Facebook) to choose from, you can imagine what big fans identity thieves are of the matchmaking game. While people are busy trying to improve their love lives and connect with their friends, online identity thieves are waiting to take their personal information. Most identity theft prevention experts believe that social networking sites, while they're extremely popular, are havens for online criminals.3
- Take precautions with e-mail. Sending and receiving e-mail is a very efficient way to communicate, but online criminals are always waiting for you to get careless. If you receive an e-mail that seems just too good to be true, it probably is. So don't give away your Social Security number, banking codes or any personal information to a source you don't recognize. The best way to avoid becoming an "online identity theft statistic" is to be skeptical.
Internet safety and security starts with you. So don't get careless when it comes to protecting yourself and your identity online. Identity thieves will prey on anyone who gives them an opening. Take the necessary precautions now to protect yourself online, and you'll have a better chance of avoiding identity theft later.
