How to Protect Your Personal Data in 8 Clever Ways
Everyone is susceptible to identity theft, as the Equifax incident serves as a warning.
Hackers gained access to Social Security numbers, addresses, and credit file information as a result of the Equifax data breach, which affected 143 million Americans. Your credit can be ruined, false tax returns can be filed to get refunds, and even your medical information can be stolen by identity thieves.
Everyone is susceptible to identity theft, as the Equifax incident serves as a warning. You may significantly reduce your risk, though, by making a few changes to your routines and investing some time in enhancing your online security.
Here are eight quick steps you can do to safeguard your privacy and your personally identifiable information:
1. Make it more difficult for others to credit you in their names
One of the greatest dangers of identity theft is that someone can obtain credit cards or loans in your name and never pay them back. Your credit can already be damaged by the time you learn till you’re ready to buy a house or automobile. Three measures are provided by credit bureaus to prevent this:
• If you have a fraud alert, a lender is required to confirm your identity before giving credit. Although they must be renewed every 90 days, fraud alerts are free.
• A credit freeze prevents unauthorized individuals from viewing your credit report. In most cases, a thief cannot obtain a loan or credit card in your name if a lender cannot run your credit report. There can be charges associated with putting up freezes, and if you subsequently wish to apply for credit, you’ll need to ask the credit bureau to lift the freeze.
• A credit lock is comparable to a freeze, but you can remove it online on your own. Fees may also apply to credit locks. Lenders have the option of checking one or more credit bureaus. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion must all have alerts, freezes, or locks in place for your protection.
2. Set up passwords on all of your devices.
Tablets, laptops, and cell phones are all readily misplaced or taken. A thief will have immediate access to all of your data if you don’t need a password to log in.
3. Use Stronger Passwords.
Using the same, simple-to-remember password repeatedly is something that many of us do.
It’s easy for identity thieves to access more of your accounts if they figure out one password, so this is unsafe activity. The best passwords are lengthy and unpredictable. To create and manage your passwords, think about utilizing a password management program.
4. Enable two-factor authentication on your financial and email accounts.
Your bank probably already asks that you enter a code that was sent to your mobile device in order to log in from a new location. Verify the settings for each of your accounts to make sure this is enabled.
5. Avoid using the local cafe to conduct your online banking and shopping.
You are unaware of the network’s true level of security when you utilize a shared computer or a company’s WiFi connection. Instead, make use of your personal device and a secure network.
6. Regularly update your software
Your operating system, antivirus software, and any other tools you use are all included in this.
Cyber dangers continuously vary, and numerous upgrades deal with security vulnerabilities.
7. Don’t Share Personal Information Over the Phone, Email, or Text
Despite how genuine it may seem, there is a considerable chance that the call, email, or text you get is a phishing scam from a retailer, charity, the government, or your long-lost cousin.
Keep your information private. If you believe the request to be valid, find the organization’s phone number independently and call to confirm.
8. Be Wary of Clicking Links or Opening Email Attachments
Any of these steps has the potential to infect your computer with malware.
To protect your personal information, you don’t need to be an IT specialist. Simply use caution while interacting or making purchases online, and set up some basic security steps to safeguard yourself in the event that your personal information is compromised.
