Staying Safe From Identity Theft on the Internet

By Curtis Adams

The world wide web has made life so easy for most people nowadays. You can access unlimited information, communicate with people anywhere in the world, and send and receive important documents. But there's a downside to all this convenience. Thieves are also taking advantage of the easy availability of information by accessing your private data.

Many people these days keep a lot of sensitive information stored on their PDAs, laptops and desktop computers. This often includes data such as banking and credit card information along with the relevant passwords. The amount of damage that can be done to your credit can be devastating if a criminal is able to get his hands on your electronic data. Another way to grab the information he wants is to hack into your computer from a distance and dig out any useful information.

Here are some tips for identity theft protection that might help you to avoid this disastrous situation.

1) Block unauthorized access to your computer by requiring a password in order to log in. This includes your laptop and PDA as well.

2) Change your computer settings so it doesn't automatically remember your passwords. It might be convenient to have your computer instantly enter passwords for all your accounts. However, identity thieves will find it just as convenient to access your financial accounts.

3) On a regular basis, change your passwords.

4) Use antivirus software, and make sure it's always running. These programs can keep hackers from infiltrating your system and stealing your information.

5) Another area in which you should use caution is with regard to file sharing. If your computer is set up to allow the transfer of information between two computers, you're more vulnerable to hacking.

6) Phishing is among the fastest growing methods of illegally collecting confidential information. Typically, you will receive an email that appears to be sent by a legitimate organization. When you follow the link, you'll be requested to enter your password. This information is then captured and used to take over your identity.

In response to the increased problem of identity theft, many institutions now offer identity theft insurance. If your personal information is stolen or compromised, this type of insurance will pay for your costs in rectifying the situation. This can include legal fees, phone bills, and postage. You can also be reimbursed for lost wages if you missed work while trying to resolve the situation. If you don't think you could deal with these kinds of costs on your own, your best bet is to take out some coverage.

About the Author:

These days, nobody is safe from identity theft. It is one of the fastest growing crimes internationally. And it can happen to you. Visit Identity Theft Protection to learn how to protect yourself.