Losing your digital personal information is a big inconvenience and can cause great distress. That is why it is important to protect your private information online. Identity thieves often steal your information by breaking into unprotected computer files and apps on the phone or through a website. They use personal information to commit fraud and other crimes with ease.
In this article, you’ll learn about four ways to protect yourself from identity theft and make it much harder for them to get any of your data, thus safeguarding your privacy and stopping unnecessary financial damage.
1. Install Anti-Virus Software
Remember to underestimate the power of a great virus and malware protection program. In today’s digital world, most problems come from viruses or malware that can attack your network from without. A good anti-virus solution will scan your devices and check for potential threats before they can access your information. This way, you can spot malicious applications and avoid them before they are installed.
2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication is the best way to protect your online identity. If a hacker can access your username and password, they can’t access your network without this second form of authentication. Most apps offer some form of two-factor authentication. If you use Gmail, for example, you must enter your username and password before logging in. Google will then send a code to your phone through text message so you can log in with both pieces of data. This way, your account becomes much harder to access from a computer that needs to be logged into Gmail.
3. Review Your Credit Report
It’s a noble idea to review your credit report every year or so. This way, you can spot potential identity theft issues before they get too advanced. Hackers will try to use your personal information to open credit cards and bank accounts in your name and withdraw cash from ATMs. Checking your report with the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion will help you spot any suspicious activity. If a new account or credit card has been opened in your name, use the company’s contact page to request that your personal information is removed.
4. Get News Alerts
If you want to avoid potential identity theft, keeping up with the latest security news is a must. We recommend this approach because it helps you get all the privacy tips about online behavior. Follow companies and websites on social media so that you can watch for their security updates.
Also, you can use a news alert service to get updates sent to your email inbox. Google Alerts is an excellent example of this. When you sign up, you can specify a search term (e.g., identity theft) and receive an alert whenever the keyword is mentioned online. This way, you’ll get new information as soon as it’s published, which will help you stay up-to-date on online security news.
While it’s true that identity theft is a big concern, you can take steps to protect yourself from these kinds of issues. More and more people are suffering because their identities have been stolen. Identity theft can be an expensive and humiliating experience, so make sure you avoid these issues by following the tips above going forward!