Preventing Online Identity Theft

The internet is a large part of many people’s lives today.  The average computer user may know how to navigate online but do they know how to protect their identity?  Did you know that each year 15 million United States residents have their identities fraudulently used?  The financial losses total nearly $50 billion per year.  It’s scary to think that this could happen to anyone.
Not only is the internet the greatest form of communication, but it is possible to find out just about anything about anyone.  This is why identity thieves prefer to prey online because it seems to be the quickest and easiest way to steal personal information    Many unsuspecting internet users are vulnerable every day to potentially have their identity stolen, and are unaware of the dangers that may come with being online.
One of the more well-known ways that identities are stolen is with credit card information.  A good majority of people have purchased something online and by doing so, your credit card or bank information is on the web.  It’s good practice to only purchase from sites that you know and trust.  More than likely these sites have secure checkouts and your information is safe.
There are numerous ways to help prevent becoming a victim of online identity theft.  Some of them may seem obvious, but not everyone takes the time to practice them.
General Online Security Suggestion

• Never leave your computer unattended if you are using a public computer
• Make sure your computer has updated malware software
• Only do business with sites you know and trust
• Don’t reply to suspicious emails or pop-ups asking for personal information

Tips for Protecting Your Password:

• Never share passwords with anyone
• Use passwords with both numbers and letters
• Don’t write down passwords where they can be easily seen

Protecting Your Email:

• Never email any confidential information such as  bank account numbers or your Social Security number
• Never open email attachments from an unknown sender
• Don’t click any links within a suspicious e-mail asking you to validate your account information or provide personal information

While you are using the internet, it is always smart to pay attention to what sites you go to.  Being aware of anything suspicious will help protect you and your identity from being stolen.  More and more people are being scammed into giving away their personal and bank information; if this information gets into the wrong hands, it can be detrimental.  The more cautious you are with your online activity, the safer you will be.  Don’t become a victim of identity theft.
Protecting your identity is extremely important, as well as your health and  assests.  Contact the professioals at Ion Insurance for a persoanlized  insurance quote today.