Don’t Let Identity Theft Take Over

Online identity theft is a growing concern. A Global Alliance advisory signalled a collaborative effort between Canada, and six other countries, united cybersecurity agencies.

Online identity theft is a growing concern. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated and finding new ways to steal personal information, leading to financial loss, damaged credit scores, and even identity fraud. However, you can take steps to decrease the chance of online identity theft. In this blog, we’ll go over some tips to help you protect your personal information online. 

Unique passwords to protect against identity theft

Strong and unique passwords are critical to protecting yourself against online identity theft. Hackers often use automated tools to guess passwords, and if they succeed, they can access your accounts, steal your personal information, and even engage in fraudulent activities. In order to create strong passwords, use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should avoid using easily guessable information, such as your name, birth date, or address, as part of your password. Instead, consider using a phrase that is easy to remember but difficult for others.  

Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires you to provide two forms of identification to access your accounts. This could be a password, a fingerprint, or a code sent to your phone. Enabling 2FA makes it much harder for hackers to access your funds, less risks for you, even with your password. Once 2FA is enabled, your protection increases.

Phishing scams and identity theft

Phishing scams are attempts to obtain sensitive information by posing as trustworthy entities. They often come in emails or messages that ask you to click on a link or provide personal information. Please do not click on links or download any attachments from them. Therefore, it is essential to keep your software up to date. Updates typically include security patches and bug fixes that can shield you from potential online threats. Therefore, regularly updating your operating system, web browsers, and other software is critical. Updating your software is crucial in maintaining online security and preventing identity theft. Cybercriminals are always looking for vulnerabilities in software that they can exploit to gain unauthorized access to devices and networks. Updating your software ensures you have the latest security patches and bug fixes to protect you from threats.

Use a virtual private network (VPN)

Using a virtual private network (VPN) service encrypts your Internet connection and conceals your IP address, making it challenging for hackers to intercept your data and steal your personal information. It is advisable to use a VPN when accessing public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured. 

By regularly monitoring your accounts, you can detect any suspicious activity early on, reducing the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. You must check your bank statements and credit reports regularly to ensure no unauthorized transactions or accounts have been opened in your name. If you notice anything suspicious, it’s critical to report it immediately to prevent further harm.

By following these tips, you can significantly decrease the chances of becoming a victim of cybercrime. It’s vital to take online security seriously and proactively protect your personal information and online identity.

Want to stay informed about consumer concerns? Download our new mobile app, FRAUDSTER, on both Apple and Android. It’s super easy to use and will keep you up-to-date on everything you need to know. Also, you’ll learn how to protect yourself from fraudsters! Want to know more? Check out www.FraudsterApp.com If you’ve already downloaded FraudsterApp, click on the icon on the home screen to access the training feature.

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Terry Cutler

I’m Terry Cutler, the creator of Internet Safety University, an educational system helping to defend corporations and individuals against growing cyber threats. I’m a federal government-cleared cybersecurity expert (a Certified Ethical Hacker), and the founder of Cyology Labs, a first-line security defence firm headquartered in Montréal, Canada. In 2020, I wrote a bestselling book about the secrets of internet safety from the viewpoint of an ethical hacker. I’m a frequent contributor to National & Global media coverage about cyber-crime, spying, security failures, internet scams, and social network dangers families and individuals face daily.