4 Best Practices for Protecting Your Identity Online

Between online shopping, gaming and bill paying, many people have committed to putting at least some of their personal information out into the cyberspace. In 2016, Tech Crunch reported that a massive 79 percent of Americans shop online, and that number is likely even higher now.

Performing tasks online has become second nature because it is simply so convenient to set up an online account, make a few clicks and satisfy a need or want. However, this convenience comes with more than its share of risks to your identity. Data breaches and all types of hacking are rampant. Basically, cybercriminals never stop looking for a way to collect your data.

Here are just four of several best practices you can use to protect your identity at all times while staying productive online.

1. Stay Vigilant Against Spam and Scams

Phishing scams are still a frequently used means of tricking unsuspecting internet users. Thankfully, they are easy to identify via email, but you may need to take a closer look when you encounter them on social networking sites, websites and via IMs. Regardless of whether you can identify a phishing scam or not, in any medium, you should never click on a link from an unverified source. For instance, if you receive an email or IM from your bank that contains a link, don’t click on that link. Instead, visit the financial institution’s website to consult with an official customer service representative, letting them know about the message and link you received.

2. Create Unique and Strong Passwords for All Online Accounts

Many people bemoan the need to create and remember so many passwords for online accounts, but they are essential to your ability to safely visit and access your information, whether it is a bank account or a social forum. It is important to vary your login credentials from one account to the next. If one website suffers a data breach, that single account could cause a ripple effect, providing hackers easy access to your other accounts as well. Choose a unique and strong password for each separate online account. No matter how time-consuming it is for you, it can help head hackers off at the pass and prevent them from doing any additional damage. Consider using a password manager to safely keep track of each of your account passwords.

3. Lock Your Devices and Secure Them with Strong Passwords

Unsecured smartphones, laptops and tablets left unattended and unsecured in a public setting are an identity thief’s dream come true. With access to your email, social media, IM, banking and other apps easily accessible, and likely logged into, someone with bad intent will feel like they struck gold. Either create a strong and unique password, a four-digit PIN, or use some type of biometric authentication, such as facial recognition or a fingerprint as device locks.

4. Invest in High-Quality Identity Protection

With the frequency and intensity of data breaches continually on the rise, you really can’t take too many precautions when it comes to your identity when using the internet for work, play and everyday productivity tasks. Invest in a high-quality identity protection plan from a reputable provider like LifeLock, which will include:

1. Detection and alerts to threats related to SSN and credit scans
2. Lost wallet protection
3. USPS address verification
4. Dark web monitoring
5. 24/7 live customer service support
6. Fake identity monitoring
7. Court records scanning
8. 30 percent off your first year with a valid LifeLock coupon

Each of these best practices can help keep you safe while performing tasks that are important to making your life more fun and convenient. Strong passwords, acute awareness of sketchy phishing links, and investing in top-tier identity theft protection are all invaluable in the fight against identity theft.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.