5 Easy and Quick Ways to Prevent Online Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious problem more common It’s more common than you think: Criminals who can hide behind computer screens are much more daring than they might be otherwise. A 2021 study by cybersecurity company NordVPN found that nearly 29 percent of Americans’ bank accounts were compromised last year. Another 28 percent were victims in identity theft. These numbers are rising despite the fact that there are many ways to prevent identity theft online.

“Year on year, we see an increase of cybersecurity incidents in the U.S. There was actually a 27% increase for 2021 over 2020. This is a sign that cybersecurity will continue to affect people even though over half of our respondents feel they are adequately prepared.” Daniel MarkusonNordVPN cybersecurity expert, John Sullivan, released a press statement outlining the findings.

But what exactly is identity theft? It is distinct from credit card fraud but they are often confused. Nathaniel Cole, chief information security officer Network Assured’s security advisor, tells Best Life Identity theft is when a bad actor obtains “enough personal data to successfully apply and attain items such as credit cards, state identification or medical care.”

Security expert says that identity theft can be more complex and may include the taking of accounts to pose as you, for nefarious purposes, but is often motivated by financial gain through the acquisition of credit.

Cole states that one way to safeguard yourself in the digital age would be to live a “hermit” lifestyle and completely eliminate your online presence. This is unlikely to be an option for most Americans. However, it’s important to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting your personal data. Experts say there are several key steps to protect yourself.

Here are five easy ways to safeguard your identity online.

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1

Use a password manager.

Are you having trouble remembering all your passwords? Wouldn’t it be convenient to have them stored in one place—as opposed to written on scraps of paper scattered throughout the house? This is where a password manager steps in.

“Password managers make it simple to create strong passwords for your accounts, and keep them safe,” Michael Xavier, cybersecurity expert According to InsiderTechie founder, “The password manager will not require you to remember your passwords.

This will help you differentiate passwords from the ones you are always using. This makes it easy to have different passwords for each account. They are already saved in your password manager so you don’t have any to remember. Cathy PedrayesDigital content creator cyber security and data, says. “They usually have a function to alert you if a password is compromised. They’ll also help you to make strong passwords.”

Although different browsers have this feature, Pedrayes confirmed that third-party managers can be used if you wish. You still have questions? Continue reading study performed Security.com has found that most people believe they are safe. Without Three times as likely were password managers to lose their identities than those who use them correctly.

2

Use two-factor authentication.

Experts recommend that you enable two-factor authentication in your password manager. If anyone tries to gain access to your passwords, it will be a good thing you did.

Pedrayes states that two-factor authentication provides an additional layer of protection in the event your password and username are compromised. When someone attempts to log in, they will be asked to enter a random code. This code is typically texted to you, or generated by an authenticator app. It will be difficult for them to access your account if they don’t have your device.

Two-factor authentication also saves you the hassle of having to constantly keep tabs on your accounts, as you’ll get these texts if you—or someone with bad intentions—is trying to log onto your profile.

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3

Lock your credit.

Pedrayes recommends that you lock your credit in order to stop fraudulent accounts being opened under your name. Credit Karma says that this is a good idea. new creditors won’t be able to access your credit reports when they’re locked—which is to say, locking your credit provides more protection and control than a credit freeze.

Pedrayes states that you don’t need to lock your credit unless you are buying a house, a car or applying for credit cards. Call the credit bureaus to lock your credit.

While your credit score is already locked, you may be required to complete additional verification. However, it should not affect your application. You can also lock your children’s credit while you call the major credit bureaus.

“Identity theft can also happen to children,” she says. TransUnion and Equifax can both lock your children’s credit free of charge, but Experian may be costly, according to Credit Karma.

4

Be mindful before you publish and then download.

Many aspects of our lives now take place online thanks to social media. Even if your account is not on Instagram or Facebook, you would be amazed at the amount of information you get when you Google your name. Identity fraud is more likely to occur if you provide too many details. Even the most innocent of things can be dangerous.

“An excellent first step is not to share anything online, such as your boarding pass or restaurant receipt.” Andreas Grant, network security engineer Networks Hardware founder, tells Best Life.  While it might seem innocent, there are methods to extract personal data from these images. These could include, but are not limited to, your personal details and the amount you paid. These information are not directly printed on the papers, but enough to be used for social engineering and phishing.

Pedrayes suggests that you should trust the internet less. She says that cybercrime often occurs because of human error. “We trusted what we were posting was private, we trusted that incoming call or text or email, we trusted that app we downloaded—trust less.”

These ploys are particularly tricky when they instill a sense of urgency—a common phishing tactic—but Pedrayes urges you to take a moment and think.

She advises that it is best to verify everything before you do anything. If you’re looking to download an app, check out the reviews and use a search engine to see if anyone has reported it as a fraud. You should always call the person to confirm if you get an urgent message. It is important to take a few seconds and verify the message in order to protect yourself against identity theft.

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5

Make use of these free and useful resources. resources.

Pedrayes reminds us all that we are human. We can’t be expected to catch every threat that comes our way—and that’s where security software comes in.

“Most of our apps, software and browsers include security features. Allow them, Pedrayes suggests. “A few minutes of fiddling with your settings, or even just looking up a tutorial online, will get you the job done.”

She points to Microsoft 365 which offers Microsoft Defender as part of a subscription. You only need to download an additional app.

Keep your software updated. Xavier says that this includes your operating system, internet browsers and other applications. He explains that updating will protect you against the latest threats.