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Ten Ways To Protect Your Identity Online


on Sunday 13 May 2007 email the content item print the content item create pdf file of the content item

Follow these ten easy tips and tricks to protect your identity while online.


1
Invest in software to protect you while you surf the web. I'm partial to our own System Sentinel to protect you from identity theft through hackers, adware, spyware, scams and malicious cookies that sends identifying data back to the source.

2
Use a firewall each time you access the Internet. A firewall adds a security layer between your PC and the Internet, and helps stop hackers from stealing your identity, destroying your files, or using your PC to attack others. Most newer computers come pre-installed with Windows firewall or you may want to try one of the many professional or free firewalls on the market such as ZoneAlarm.

3
Only use a secure PC. Hackers can easily retrieve sensitive data that is sent over an unsecured Internet connection. If you need to send sensitive information or make an online transaction, use a PC that you know is secure.

4
Secure your network. Do you use a wireless network to access the Internet? If so you are at risk. Your Wi-Fi network works using radio waves that travel distances through walls, rooms, etc. and any hacker with a simple antenna (easily purchaseable online or at your local RadioShack) could attack you from miles away. He or she could steal your information and use your wireless network for their own communication and you most likely would never even know.

5
Beware those phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and web sites, masquerading as legitimate businesses, to lure unsuspecting consumers into revealing private account or login information. Even if you have PC security, you still might visit a malicious web site without knowing it. Legitimate businesses will never ask you to update your personal information via email. Always verify web addresses before submitting your personal information.

6
Beware the trap that is P2P software. Many free programs that you download via the Internet, including Kazaa and other peer to peer file sharing software will tell you that they do not use spyware, however, please remember that nothing is free! Never willingly install programs unless you are familiar with the web site and program and have read the end-user license agreement thoroughly.

7
Never open attachments or emails unless it has been scanned. Even with PC security, some email forwarded by your friends might very well be infected with malicious programming and they won't even know it until it's too late. Do not download files from friends and family unless you know the content of the file and know that it is secure.

8
Monitor your credit reports carefully. At least once a year, check your credit history. You can easily do that for free once a year. This is one of the best ways to find out if someone is using your personal finance information without your knowledge.

9
Make regular backups of critical data. Keep a copy of important files on removable media such as Zip disks or recordable CD-ROM disks (CD-R or CD-RW disks). Use software such as our own BackUp Pro to fully automate the process of backing up and restoring your valuable data. This will save you not only time and money but a great deal of stress the moment something goes wrong.

10
Monitor your children online. Limit your children’s time spent online. Install and use parental controls software that allows you to monitor your children’s online activity as well as prevent them from accessing undesirable web sites and sharing personal information via online communications.

Quick Signs of Spyware Infection


  • When you start your computer, or when your computer has been idle for many minutes, your Internet browser opens to display Web site advertisements.
  • When you use your browser to view Web sites, other browsers simultaneously open to display advertisements.
  • Your Web browser's home page unexpectedly changes.
  • Web pages are unexpectedly added to your Favorites folder.
  • New toolbars are unexpectedly added to your Web browser.
  • You cannot start certain programs.
  • When you click a link in a program, the link does not work.
  • Your Web browser suddenly closes or stops responding.
  • It takes a much longer time to start or to resume your computer.
  • Components of Windows or other programs no longer work.



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