4 Effective Ways to Help Protect Your Identity Online

You would never willingly hand over your Social Security number, Visa card, bank account numbers or your date of birth to just anybody who asked for them. Unfortunately, there are a number of ways that criminals can get a hold of this private data online and use it to their advantage. To help ensure that you are protecting your good name when you are online, consider giving the following four tips a try.

Identity Theft Protection Plan

One of the best ways to help protect your identity is by investing in a plan that will monitor your
accounts 24/7. For example, Norton with LifeLock features real-time threat protection with
multi-layered advanced security that will help defend you from malware threats. It also includes
a no-log secure VPN, which is designed to help guard your privacy online, as well as the LifeLock
Identity Alert System which will let you know if your name, address, Social Security number or
birthdate are used in any type of application.

Use One Credit Card for Online Shopping

When life gets busy, it can be challenging to open up and read every single credit card and bank
statement. To help make the process of monitoring your online shopping activity easier, use only one card for all of your purchases from websites. In addition, as United Way notes, when a hacker successfully accesses a person’s credit cards online, he or she will start using all of them.

While you certainly don’t want your designated credit card information stolen, using only one
card online does reduce the risk of having all of your account data stolen and used.

Make Usernames and Passwords Random and Strong

Yes, it can be tempting to use the same, easy-to-remember username and password on all of
your online accounts. But cybercriminals love this kind of simple combination because they are
easier for them to guess and then gain access to your data.

Use a password manager that will randomly generate strong passwords for each of your online
accounts, and vary the username. Also, when you sign into an account on your phone, avoid
clicking the “remember me and my password” option; this way, if your phone is stolen, the thief
will not basically have an unlocked door into your bank and credit card accounts.

Keep Your Virus and Spyware Software Updated

On those extra hectic days, it can be easy to skip the reminders that it is time to update your
spyware and virus software on your laptop and other devices. In order to get the most
up-to-date coverage, it is important that you make these updates whenever they take place. At
the same time, be wary of any pop-up ads that mysteriously show up when you are shopping
online, claiming to be a security update, as they may be links to a virus or malware. To be sure
you have the most current software, visit your account on your anti-virus company’s website;
there, you should find any updates that still need to be completed.

Enjoy the Convenience of Online Shopping in a Safe Way

There are cybercriminals out there who are working hard to access everyone’s personal data
online, but this does not mean you have to go back to the days of shopping in person and
writing checks for your bills. By investing in an identity theft protection plan, dedicating one
credit card for your online shopping and being vigilant about your usernames, passwords and
anti-virus software, you can rest assured you are doing everything you can to protect your
identity online.