10 Helpful Tips To Prevent Identity Theft Online

Thieves Getting Hold of Your Printed Documents

Installation of Malicious Software to Steal Personal Information

Cyber-Attacks Through Insecure Wireless Networks and Websites

Taking Advantage of Recycled and Shared Passwords

Specialized Software to Track Passwords

Discarded Computers That Haven’t Been Wiped

Replacing your devices every couple of years is the most normal thing in the world. But having a smartphone, computer, or tablet with your PII can be an open temptation for thieves and fraudsters. Before you toss any device to the bin, make sure to wipe it clean of your documents, contacts, and any other type of sensitive personal information. If you’re replacing your phone, make sure to check internal memory and delete files that can associate the phone to you. Uninstall all apps that contain your personal information and also consider restoring your phone to its original factory settings afterwards.

Big Data Theft

Big data theft refers to the large-scale theft of customer information from a large business or enterprise. The term is often associated with and is a subscale of identity theft. Big data theft is often a very serious issue that involves a large number of victims. A glaring example would be the big data incident concerning TJX Companies back in 2006. The company reported a massive computer breach leaked the credit and debit card numbers of more than 40 million hapless customers. The network of banks and credit unions were able to remedy the breach, but the company incurred over $12.3 billion in costs. Big data theft is a familiar narrative within the world of cybercrime, and sometimes thieves sell their stolen data over the Dark Web for buyers who intend to commit fraud.

10 Tips for Preventing Identity Theft Online

Identity theft is a very dark, mischievous, and potentially life-ruining crime that can often leave victims feeling betrayed and entirely insecure about their financial future. So in order to prevent becoming a part of the statistics, it helps to know the basic signs of identity fraud online:

1. Learn to Spot Online Scams

Scammers often use email or text messages to trick you into filling out forms and web pages with your personal information. While phishing malware is relatively easy to identify on fake websites, scammers usually make other attempts through instant messaging, social networking, and other means. The best and surefire way to prevent phishing malware from invading your computer is to never click on a link that’s sent to you by an unknown sender. If you receive an email that looks like it’s from your bank, resist the urge to click on the link to direct you elsewhere. You should opt to access the official website of the bank or through the bank’s legitimate mobile application. Check for a secure HTTPS URL and lock icon and make sure that the URL in the address bar is legitimate. If your antivirus flags a site as fraudulent, heed its advice and keep off the site. And we can’t overemphasize this enough: don’t click on suspicious links sent to you through text, email, or social media websites. Phishing emails can look very legitimate, and they usually offer up a story to get you to click on a link or fill up a form with your information. Be careful of emails that note suspicious activity or log-in attempts on your account, claim a problem with your account or payment information, or say you need to confirm some personal information. Some offer you a fake invoice; others want you to click on a link to pay for something; others still say you’re eligible for a government refund of sorts.

2. Look Out for Malware

Hostile, intrusive, and stealthy, most malware seeks to invade, damage, or disable your device. Hackers can use malware to steal, encrypt, or delete your data. Some can even hijack some computer functions to monitor your activities online without your knowledge and permission. One form of malware commonly used for identity theft and fraud is spyware. Spyware is a type of malware that can monitor your activities or control your computer use to force you to provide information or to put your computer in harm’s way. Spyware and other forms of malware are not always easy to detect, and an effective malware removal tool will be needed to root them out. Check out this list of the best malware removal tools in case your computer gets infected. Malware removal tools can scan your software for different types of malware then proceed to remove the issues from your computer. Some also offer protection against malware for your email and Wi-Fi networks. But how will you know if you have an infected computer? Here are a few tell-tale signs when your computer gets infected.

Your computer slows down. You receive a constant barrage of annoying ads that you’ve never signed up for. Your computer repeatedly crashes, freezes, or displays the blue screen of death. You notice a sudden loss of disk space. There’s a strange increase in your internet activity. Abnormal usage of your system resources. Your browser’s home page changes for no reason. You receive an email telling you it has your data. Your antivirus software stops updating and seems ineffective.

3. Use Updated Security Software for Your Devices

Spyware and other forms of malware are highly dangerous programs that are also easy to contract. Poor browsing and security habits often lead to infection, and even those who are careful about their browsing habits remain vulnerable to malware. It’s because of this fact that you need to protect your mobile and desktop devices with antispyware, antivirus, anti-phishing, and firewall programs. Start off with your pick of a reliable antivirus program that will keep watch over your devices and help to identify then eliminate existing threats. Check out this list of the best premium antivirus programs available in the market right now. We also recommend for you to install a VPN to keep your online data, passwords, and personal information anonymous over the network. Check out this comprehensive guide on how to set up a VPN. For smartphones and handheld devices, there are standalone utilities and software that could lock down your files in case of theft. These are commonly available for smartphones, but there are also versions laptop and desktop computer users can use.

Money remains the root cause for most identity thefts, and most thefts lead to fraudulent bank transactions. Cybercriminals will use the information they’ve collected on you to open a credit card account, borrow money, make purchases, or transfer funds without your knowledge or consent. And while scammers and crooks are happy to live off your bank account, their illegal activities can cause major damage to your credit rating. If you suddenly notice unpaid charges on your monthly financial statement or suddenly get a declined card or a bounced check, these could be signs of identity theft. Take note that federal laws only allow a 60-day period for disputing unauthorized charges. If you can successfully prove fraudulent activity, the state will only require you to pay $50 regardless of the total amount of the unauthorized charge. A significant drop in your credit rating can prevent you from getting a credit card or loans with favorable terms. Repairing the damage that fraudulent activity does to your credit ratings will also take time. In order to prevent a full-blown theft using your account, sign up for an identity and credit monitoring service that will alert you to any suspicious activity associated with your account. These services will alert if a new account has been created using your details and notify you regarding the request for documents related to loan applications. A few specialized credit monitoring services even comb through the Dark Web for signs that your personal data or passwords have appeared there. Automated credit monitoring is an effortless way to keep track of your accounts, and they can help you catch fraudulent activity right off the bat.

5. Use a Password Manager for Your Accounts

Passwords are literally the keys to the kingdom, and hackers would do anything to get their hands on those things. While a strong password can help protect your account, nothing can save you if you forget what it was. We also have to take into account the countless other accounts that you probably have, and each must have its own unique password that you need to remember. To help ease the burden of remembering passwords while keeping them safe, make sure to use a reliable password manager. Password managers keep running lists of your passwords and auto-fills them on the site. The same software also gauge the strength of your passwords, and even help you generate a strong password. Password managers with advanced security features are even able to detect keylogging software and phishing malware.

Social media has profoundly changed the way we live and how we interact with one another. For many people, social media has become the primary outlet for people to share aspects of their lives with others. Most social networks have millions of users that share their photos, news updates, thoughts, and many more on the sites. Unfortunately, this culture of oversharing is a magnet for hackers and cybercriminals. People who use social media more often are at a much higher risk of falling victim to identity theft and takeover fraud. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself on these sites.

Change your privacy settings that only your friends and family can access your posts. Refrain from choosing Public as your audience since anyone with malicious intent can quickly get hold of your photos and other data. Create a strong password for your account. Your account passwords need to be unique, strong, and not contain any personal information that can tip hackers into accessing your account. Never share personally identifiable information (PII) and confidential information. We’re talking about your social security number (SSN), bank account details, credit card numbers, phone number, passport number, driver’s license number, etc. We’re also talking about physical documents like your tax, refund, birth certificate, doctor’s prescription, etc. Your personal information and sensitive details that define your life have no business being on social media and should never be given out to anyone online. For safety purposes, assume that even private messages are unsafe and never give out private information through instant messaging platforms. Beware of fake accounts and suspicious links. Never accept a friend request from a person you don’t know, and never click on a link sent by a stranger. Delete your social media account and keep off social media. This option may appear too extreme for some, but it’s the most practical and effortless way to protect yourself.

7. Purchase Items Only From Reputable Websites

Many people are slowly making the shift to online shopping, and this shift is particularly enticing for con artists and cybercriminals to make money off of someone else’s bank account. Hackers are pretty good at what they do, so it can be quite difficult to spot a fake website compared to a real one. Nevertheless, here are some precautions to take to avoid getting scammed online:

Limit your shopping to the official pages of the brands that you want to shop from. Websites with a domain name that references well-known brands (i.e. www.ipadoffers.net) are usually scams. Confirm security standards. If the site starts with https://, the site comes with added security in mind. Another indicator would be the lock icon that’s usually placed next to the URL or in the bottom corner of the browser. To check if a website is fake or not, you can copy-paste the URL onto this website scam checker. Don’t buy into suspiciously low prices and large discounts. Scam websites often target impulsive buyers with bargain prices and large discounts. Unrealistically discounted prices are can be an indication that the product is either counterfeit or non-existent. Stick to on-sale items on legitimate shopping websites instead.

Check website policies for sales, shipping, and returns. All companies selling merchandise online are required to have a shipping and returns policy listed on the site. Legitimate shopping channels also have terms and conditions which usually appear the moment you click on the website. If the website doesn’t have any of these policies, it’s likely a sham. Read online reviews. Look at aggregated reviews from third-party review sites, and check the company’s social media pages to get a whiff of how other people reacted to their services.

8. Backup Your Most Important Documents Onto a Secured Server

Many people use their computers as a de facto storage for most of their files, and most feel extremely trusting that their files are going to be anytime they need it. In reality, you never know when your computer is going to freeze out on you. You probably don’t want to see the day when all your files are lost or destroyed because of a particularly devious malware. There’s also the threat of ransomware when a hacker puts a virus on your computer to encrypt your most important files. You have to pay the ransom in order to get your files back, and nobody wants to experience that. As a precautionary measure against disappearing files and malfunctioning computers, having an effective backup strategy is absolutely necessary. A backup software or device can help you store a duplicate copy of your most important files for quick retrieval when your device crashes or breaks. The most common backup solutions include hard drives, USB drives, cloud storage, and a specialized backup server. Hardware-based backups are reliable and cheap, but they usually have a shelf life of approximately five years. Cloud backups and specialized backup software have more advanced features that make them ideal for long-term storage. These features include automated backups, file versioning, and two-way encryption for your data. Both cloud-based storage and backup storage use remote serves to store data, which makes it much harder for hackers to infect it with malware. You can store copies of your most important documents on the server to keep them from getting stolen on your computer. Regardless of the method you choose, having a backup solution is always a prudent move to rescue your files in case the unthinkable happens.

9. Beware of Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers use scare tactics to get into people’s computers. In most cases, hackers use error notifications and emails to alert you of a non-existent issue with your software or device. They also sometimes initiate calls with caller IDs that mimic your internet service provider or OS provider. They will then entice you to pay for technical support services that supposedly fix the issues they found on your device, platform, or software. In reality, these hackers will install malware on your computer. Trojans and rootkits are some of the most dangerous types of malware they will place as they collect sensitive information from your system. Keep in mind that most software companies do not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to provide technical support. You must initiate all requests for tech support, and most of the legitimate companies do not charge anything for tech support. Make sure to download legitimate software from the official websites of the software you use. Be wary of downloading from third-party sites as well, since some of them could have gotten modified to insert malware. Also, make sure to turn on your antivirus protection as first-level protection. Check out this list of the best free antivirus programs available. Lastly, be suspicious of any solicitations for tech support that you didn’t initiate, especially if it’s asking you to pay for support.

10. Watch Out for Other Signs of Identity Theft

Identity theft is a complicated process, and sometimes victims are not aware of their situation until the damage has become irreparable. Some identity thieves are able to carry on using your private information for nefarious means for years, decades, or even an entire lifetime. Sometimes your financial records don’t even reflect anomalous transactions. The faster you can recognize the possibility of identity theft, the faster you can react to minimize the damage to your reputation and credit score. As a general rule, any unexplained changes to your credit report or charges and withdrawals for any of your accounts warrant further investigation. Here are additional signs of identity theft to watch out for:

Receiving new credit cards you didn’t sign up for Having a credit approval denied for no reason Surprise medical bills for services that you haven’t used Insurance providers turning you away for conditions you didn’t give The IRS informing you that more than one tax return was filed in your name Debt collectors soliciting payment for debts you didn’t make Receiving notices about past due bills for products and services you didn’t buy

Final Thoughts on Helpful Tips to Prevent Identity Theft

Identity theft is a pervasive issue that deserves attention and immediate action. The number of victims and losses just keeps growing, and there doesn’t appear to be any way to eliminate the risk online. Thankfully, there is increasing consumer awareness about data protection tools and best practices to combat the spread of identity thefts. But even with the employment of all of these methods combined, there will always be a small crevice that hackers can use to compromise your data. There is no perfect protection or security against determined criminals. At the end of the day, we just have to remember that protecting ourselves against identity theft isn’t a one-time endeavor. It’s an ongoing battle that requires perpetual vigilance and effort to combat, and it’s a duty that everyone must take up before it’s too late.

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