Stay Safe from Information and Identity Theft
With the pace which technology world has been advancing with, it has now become a norm that every new day comes with a news flash of another data breach striking the global information security world.
And in the presence of giant hacking activist like LulzSec and Anonymous, nothing you keep online or even in your computers are safe from being technologically invaded. A story of a similar kind has been sprouted lately about LulzSec breaking into SonyPictures.com and obtaining access to good one million user accounts in one go. One attack and one million user’s personal data compromised! Isn’t it too much to lose in one day only?
Well, it most definitely is. So what can be done to avoid such an attack? Or at the very least, what exactly can be done to limit or minimize the potential for damage?
So, if you are a victim of a potential data breach or if you fear such an incident, do read the following guidelines to avoid such happening and stay safe from information theft.
Eye-out for phishing scams and malicious emails.
In case of getting your email address leaked in a data breach incidence, watch-out for scammers, spammers and malware authors that may attempt to populate your email inbox with misleading malicious emails containing fraudulent content masked as the one that comes from an authentic source. Refrain from downloading attachments from the emails that contain money refund offers, or a courier reaching your address asking for you to confirm your details or credits card updates. Always remember to back check the authentic sources by either calling them or visiting their website. Be on a lookout for any suspicious looking link in those emails or even those links that pops up when you visit any unknown website. Avoid any sort of drive by download on your way of surfing the internet. And never, ever click on ANYTHING that gives you a nagging feeling or appears suspicious or anonymous to you.
Always create a strong and hard-to-crack password
The second most important thing to be taken into consideration is the setting of your personal passwords. Whenever it comes to create a password for any account over internet, always create a password that makes a combination of alphanumeric characters. Do not use the same password for multiple accounts over internet. You can expose your online existence to more risks if you practice the use of same passwords for all of your accounts online. And this may be a good time to change your approach to passwords – check out our comprehensive tutorial on how to create a password that can be easy for you to remember but impossible for others to get even near to it.
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Use of a strong and reliable security program
Even if you have taken all the above preventive measures in due time, there is still a chance that hackers and other cyber criminals manage to break into your privacy walls and can attack directly at the sensitive information that you save on your systems. A good way to curb even the remotest chance of such an intrusion is to keep your files and folders locked and encrypted. Check out our security products that aim to serve you for the same purpose.
You may not be able to put a full stop to data breaches, but you can still have a way around them. Do something to protect your online existence and the information you store on your system. Be on your guard, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious at all times. Stay Safe.
Best Method To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
The best method to protect yourself from identity theft is to practice good security habits. This includes using strong passwords for your online accounts, never sharing your personal information with anyone, using two-factor authentication when available, and being aware of phishing scams. Additionally, you should also monitor your credit report regularly, as this is the best way to detect any suspicious activity. Finally, You should also avoid giving out your Social Security number, as well as use a secure connection when accessing sensitive information online.
Why Is It Important To Prevent Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a serious crime that can have long-lasting and damaging effects. It can lead to financial loss, damage to your credit score, and even identity fraud. Preventing identity theft is important because it can help protect your personal information and financial security. By following the steps above, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
Main Causes Of Identity Theft
The main causes of identity theft include data breaches, phishing scams, and stolen or lost wallets and personal documents. Data breaches occur when hackers gain access to a company’s computer systems and steal personal information. Phishing scams involve sending emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source but are actually malicious attempts to gain access to personal information. Stolen or lost wallets and personal documents can also lead to identity theft if they are not properly secured.
How Does Identity Affect Us?
Identity affects us in many ways, from how we interact with others and how we perceive ourselves, to how we are perceived by others. It is an important part of how we define ourselves, and how we are viewed by the world. Identity has an influence on our self-esteem, our relationships, our career choices, and our overall sense of purpose. It also affects how we make decisions and how we interact with our environment.