What do you do to protect yourself from online fraud or identity theft?
Size:
Large, Medium,
Small
Fri Oct 24, 08 08:44 AM
| Category:
All
In order for computer users to transact with
confidence online, it has become increasingly important for them to protect
personal and confidential data like their passwords, credit card numbers and
account information. What are people doing to protect this valuable data?
This is a very broad question
so I am going to give you what I think are a couple of the easiest most
effective things you can do to protect yourself.
The #1 Rule is that you are the best anti-fraud and identity theft system you
can buy. An educated user is far more effective than any software.
+THINK! Think twice before entering or submitting any information for any type
of offer on-line. If it sounds to good to be true, especially if it is
unsolicited it is likely to be a scam. Research any company before you submit
information. A website alone is NOT proof a company is real. One example is the
recent surge in scam sights targeting job seekers. Prospective employees who
are more than willing to enter all of their personal information for an
opportunity to get what sounds like a dream job.
+Absolutely do not use the same password for all your accounts. Almost everyone
I know does this. This means that one compromised account compromises all of
your accounts. Remembering all of those passwords could be a nightmare but
there are solutions. Check out KeePass, it is an open source (translate to free
and trustworthy) secure password storage solution that you can carry around
with on an $8 memory stick from the little bin at the register in Staples.
+Secure your wireless home network. I say again, secure your wireless home
network.
+Do not conduct ANY transactions with sensitive information open wireless
networks unless you have implemented some sort of secondary security measure
such as a secure tunnel through a trusted provider.
+Finally, keep your anti-virus software up to date.
There are many other more complicated things you can do but online security is
like security in any other context. There are so many people that are
completely unprotected that all you have to do is be a little more protected
than the next guy. If your car has an alarm and his doesn't the thief will
steal his first.
And DON'T be afraid of the internet. Your bills in the trash can were just as
much of a security risk as your cache in your browser. Enjoy the convenience of
the digital world but always be wary of predators looking to take advantage of
naive newcomers.
Link:
http://blog.bitcomet.com/batusai/post_71215/
©
Add to favorites |
Quote
Reads (403) | Comments (1)
