Many people have concerns about the security of their information when using wireless technology. Whether you are shopping, conducting business transactions, paying your bills, or just browsing the web, there is always a possibility of someone stealing your data. There are legitimate and not so legitimate ways to prevent this from happening.
This article will address some of these ways to protect your information by providing recommendations on how to use encryption software and what you can do when you may be at risk for a cyber-attack or identity theft.
Know what you are doing.
Always use encryption software, especially when using public Wi-Fi access points such as those found in hotels, coffee shops, and airports. Always check to make sure the network is encrypted with a password or WEP key before providing any sensitive information. Also, know that many programs such as Skype and Google Chat also provide encryption software that can be used to prevent someone from being able to read your data over the Internet. Do not rely on the public networks to keep your information secure unless you have a specific reason for it, i.e.
chatting or making a Skype call. It is also recommended that you update your encryption software on a regular basis to protect against the latest threats against it.
Be careful of phishing.
Phishing is a scam where someone will send you an email saying they need your personal information to assist you in preventing identity theft. The email usually explains how to visit the website where you are supposed to enter the information. However, the website itself is not secure and they can steal your log-in information, passwords, credit card numbers, and PINs which are used with debit cards.
Use strong passwords.
Make sure your passwords are strong by not using personal information such as your birthdate, telephone number, address, etc. Use at least 8 characters and use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, make sure you change your passwords on a regular basis. While it is tedious having to remember them all if you have several different accounts, this is the best way to keep them secure.
Avoid suspicious sites.
Be careful when visiting sites that seem untrustworthy or even just look suspicious. Always look at the information at the top of your browser window to make sure you are visiting a legitimate site. If it doesn't say 'HTTPS' then you may be in trouble. Also, be careful of any link that asks you to download software or update a program. If in doubt, type the URL directly into your address bar so you know where it is sending you, and make sure there is no spelling or grammatical errors.
Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
Always make sure to use good quality anti-virus and anti-spyware software to keep your computer safe from the latest threats on the internet. This will eliminate any viruses that could spread through email attachments, infected websites, or other sources on the internet. You can also use this software to scan flash drives, CDs, or DVDs before you open them to avoid infection from the drive which could spread to your computer.
Be cautious of online banking and shopping sites.
If you do not use email or the Internet for banking there are still several websites you should be aware of. One of these is eBay. To use eBay you must create an account with them, which requires providing personal information such as name, address, credit card number, and expiration date. They also require that you provide a valid email address just in case they would have to communicate with you.
Payment services such as PayPal and Checkfree require you to provide your personal information; however, they use it to process your bill payments, not necessarily for identity theft purposes. Although PayPal will notify you whenever there is a suspicious transaction, this may not be enough because they do give up some rights to fight fraud against their customers.
Conclusion
While cybercrime and identity theft are serious issues, it is also important to be aware of the precautions you can take to protect yourself. Just remember that 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take appropriate measures to protect your information just like you do with any other valuable possession.
0 Comments