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As businesses take a more digital approach, it's more important than ever to be aware of your online presence and the risks associated with doing business on the Internet. Every time you access an online portal, whether it's for work, social media, or online shopping, you could be putting your personal information at risk if you're not aware of the potential risks. If you want to protect yourself wherever you are online, check out our list of ways to protect your identity.
1. Be careful where you surf
This doesn't mean you should avoid questionable sites, but where you access the Internet can be as bad as where you access it. Public Wi-Fi is not a place to perform sensitive activities such as accessing websites that contain personal information or making online purchases. Hackers can easily use shared login to steal the credentials you use to access websites and steal your personal information in the process. When you're doing something you don't want to see online, it's best to access the internet from a secure online connection. A VPN or Virtual Private Network allows you to access the internet securely from anywhere by encrypting your sensitive information, which is essential for identity security. If you need to do business in public, it's best to invest in a VPN so you can view with confidence.
2. Use strong passwords
Password security is essential when you want to stay away from prying eyes. Do not use passwords that contain personal information such as your birth number, Social Security number, or address. Not only does this make it easier for hackers to decrypt them, but it also gives them personal information about you that you don't want them to keep. Make your password as random as possible by including lots of capital letters, symbols, and numbers. On some systems, you can use a computer-generated password, usually a random combination of these. It's almost impossible for hackers to guess a random set of characters, so if you can use this feature, it's probably your best bet. Also, make sure you keep your password in a very safe place; Sending is not allowed !
3. Avoid strange transitions
Hackers are great at making their communications look legitimate, but there's no way they're perfect. Lottery prizes, shipping confirmations, and online account problems are some of the most common methods hackers or scammers use to get your attention. If you receive an unexpected email containing a link, do some research before clicking on it. First, check for obvious grammatical or spelling errors; A legitimate company would not make such a mistake. Next, click on the sender's email. If the email in question is from a real company, the address will usually be: customerservice@company.com If you're seeing long email addresses with random letters and numbers, that's a big red flag. Normally, the company the hacker is trying to impersonate won't show up in the email! Delete such email immediately before clicking on any link. Once an unsuspecting victim clicks on a specific link and enters information, the hacker gains immediate access.
Staying safe and protecting your identity online is relatively easy if you follow a few rules. Use strong passwords, avoid unexpected links and be careful what you enter online, especially in public places. With the right knowledge, you can avoid the traps set by hackers and protect your personal information.
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Last updated on December 4, 2022.
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