Tips On How To Avoid Identity Theft Online

If you are concerned about identity theft, and wants to know how to avoid identity theft, then please follow the followins steps:

Step 1. Be Wise

Remember online world has same amount of threats (if not more) as in real world. Be cautious of internet, and take all the safe precautions that you take offline. Take extra cautionary steps while doing shopping or banking online. Here is a guide on how to shop online safely.

Step 2. Do not give personal or security Information unless necessary

If you come across with an email or site asking to fill your personal information be cautious. Ask yourself why it’s asking your personal information? Also keep in mind that it would be highly unusual for a bank, brokerage firm or other financial institution to request your Social Security number, or for any organization to ask for your password. Only provide your personal information if it’s necessary, but make sure that site is secure. If you do not find there is no ‘https://’ at the beginning of the web address or no padlock in the browser window then it means its not secure and its not what it says.

Step 3. Use Strong password

While creating a password online make sure that its strong. Which means your password should be a combination of letters, numbers and special characters, such as question mark when possible. Also, make separate password for every secure site you are registered with. One more thing to remember is to change your password regularly. This is important step and can help you

Step 4. Secure your Computer.

Take all the steps indicated in Computer Safety Guide. In short, install Anti-Virus, Anti Spyware, Firewall and keep update your computer operating system regularly.

Step 5. Beware of Phishing emails And Never click on links in emails

Identity theft can easily take place through a phishing email. Phishing emails looks like it comes from your bank, credit card company, online auction company or other legitimate business, and in many cases the email message will state that the victim must update his or her information to avoid a disruption in service, a closure of the account, or some other threat by clicking the giving link.

Always type the web site address for banks, financial institutions and shopping sites into the browser address line or store them using the browser’s favorite functions.

Here are some tips on how to detect whether the site is what it says, this will help you to learn more on how to avoid identity theft:

• Carefully verify the web site address that you received in your email. It must be same as you used to. Compare the address with the one that you have stored in your browser’s favorite. Verify it character by character may be the address is completely different or some characters are changed thus indicating the probability of fraudulent website.
• Right-clicking on a hyperlink and selecting “Properties” should tell you the link’s true destination – again if this is different from what is displayed in the email then the chances are that this email is a phishing scam.
• If you are on their website, look for their real world presence. Look for their address; email address, a phone number etc… Still in doubt, send them an email or make a phone call.

Step 6. Keep internet connection secure

If you use a wireless modem make sure it is set it to use at least 128-bit encryption. Also if you have a broadband connection its better to switched it off if you are not using it.

I hope "how to avoid identity theft" artcle increased your knowledge on identity theft prevention.

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