Online identity theft is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to us. It’s an ever-present threat now that we are always online – shopping online, using public Wi-Fi hotspots, checking our bank accounts online, and entering in passwords and usernames. That’s why everyone should know exactly how to protect themselves from this kind of theft. If you don’t, this could mean someone will get a hold of your personal information, steal your identity, and ruin your financial life. Keep reading down below to learn more about the top ways that you can protect yourself from identity theft online.
Only Use The Services Of Real And Reputable Businesses Online
When you are shopping online or using any other kind of service, make sure that you are sure that the businesses you are buying from are reputable. Check reviews online and go through their website to become confident they are not a sketchy business. Some sites try to trick you into buying their products and services, only to steal your credit card information when you enter it in at checkout. You have got to be careful anytime you decide to shop online!
Make Sure To Only Use Unique And Complex Passwords For Every Site You Use
Whenever you make passwords for your accounts, make sure that they are unique from every other password you have. Many people think its ok to just use the same password for all of their accounts, but that’s not a good idea. When someone gets one of your account’s passwords, then they automatically know the password for all of your other accounts. And that can be super dangerous! In addition to that, it’s a good idea to use a random password generator to ensure that your passwords are super complex and impossible for anyone to guess.
If You Weren’t Expecting An Email, Then Don’t Click Any Links
When you get an email that wasn’t expected, but is asking you to enter some kind of information in on an unfamiliar site, go to that site first before clicking anything in the mail. Then, you will be able to tell whether this is a legitimate email or not. If you don’t notice anything about the website and it’s completely unfamiliar, it’s best to leave the email alone. In the meantime, you can educate yourself on how to spot the top identity theft scams with a simple google search.
Take Long, Hard Looks At Your Bank Accounts To Ensure Nothing Is Amiss
You should always keep an eye on your bank accounts to ensure everything is as it should be. There can easily be weird transactions on there that would be a sign someone else is using your card or your account in some way. Most of the times, digital identity thieves use your bank accounts in small ways, rather than taking all of your money at once.
Make Sure Your Wi-Fi At Home Is Protected By A Strong Password
If you have a strong password on your Wi-Fi at home, then there’s no way someone else could log onto it and start stealing your personal information. You would be surprised at how easy it is for an identity thief to steal your information over a Wi-Fi connection. Make sure that no one will be able to guess your Wi-Fi password if you want to stop this from happening to you!
Only Download Things From Reputable Sources That You Are 100% Sure About
If you are downloading anything from the internet, make sure you are 100% sure of its source and that there are not going to be any viruses attached to it. It’s super easy for someone to convince you to download something, only to have malware attached to it that takes your personal information.
Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi Hotspots
This is something new that not everyone knows about. As mentioned before, it’s super easy for hackers to get your personal information from a Wi-Fi connection. That’s why it’s best that youdon’t use your computer while at a public Wi-Fi spot. This is a super popular thing that everyone does whenever there at Starbucks or any other café. However, this is super dangerous whenever it comes to your personal data security.
Each of these points are great ways to protect yourself from identity theft online. Be sure to keep them in mind and you’ll stay protected!
