How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft?

As the world progresses to ensure an easy and smooth flow of day-to-day life, many daily activities are being shifted onto digital platforms. This has opened up a world of opportunities for cybercriminals. Lack of proper security measures makes it easy for a person’s identity to be stolen and misused. Our cybersecurity team in Perth have listed some simple but effective ways to prevent identity theft.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft can be said to happen when a person impersonates someone else for getting financial benefits, for illegal activities or any other intention. The most common purpose of identity theft is to steal money or use another person’s credentials for personal benefits.

Ways to prevent identity theft

Here are some pointers on how to prevent Identity theft when you are online:

1. Keep your digital devices safe

Make sure all your digital devices, especially smartphones and laptops, are safely guarded and password protected. Devices like these contain valuable personal information that can be used for impersonation and stealing financial data.

2. Use passwords and change them regularly

It is vital to make sure that your passwords are strong and not easily identifiable. Make sure to use numbers, characters and, lower- and upper-case alphabets. Avoid using the same password for different sources or multiple times. It is essential to change your passwords on a routine basis.

3. Install antivirus and update it  

It is very much essential that your system has working antivirus software. Always make sure that your virus protection software is up and running and is routinely updated. This will keep your system safe from unexpected threats and viruses.

4. Download apps and software from trusted sources only

Many apps look legitimate when in fact, they are fraudulent clones. Avoid downloading apps from unknown sources. Be careful while granting app permissions and accessibilities – allow only necessary permissions.

5. Use VPN

The safety that VPNs offer is undeniable and must be made use of, especially while on public or unsecured networks. VPNs can be used while browsing the web to prevent shady websites from saving your personal information.

6. Beware of suspicious and unknown links

This is one of the most basic and yet overlooked security measures. Links may contain hidden malware, and clicking on them will lead to infecting your device with one. Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources. If a link looks suspicious, hover your mouse, and look at the full URL at the bottom left of your screen to ensure it is legitimate.

7. Beware of phishing

Phishing is a growing threat. Do not give away your personal details to unknown and suspicious emails. Most organisations like banks or other legal entities will never ask for sensitive data online. Also, avoid clicking on links in emails unless you are absolutely sure of the sender.

8. Be careful of what you share on social media.

Make sure the pictures or information that you upload on social media doesn’t accidentally reveal any personal information like credit card number or other personal details that can be used for impersonating you.

Read our blog on how to stay safe on social media to keep yourself safe on social media networks.

9. Get alerts

Enable notifications and alerts on financial transactions. Most banks and credit card facilities allow you to set up alerts. This way, you can immediately identify a fraudulent transaction and take remedial measures.

10. Enable MFA

Always enable multi-factor authentication when possible. Even when your credentials get compromised, MFA will prevent criminals from accessing your sensitive information.

As technology becomes savvy, so do cybercriminals. It is vital to follow safe internet practices to protect yourself from identity theft. Keep yourself in the know. Contact our team or email us at cybersecurity@computingaustralia.group to learn more about identity theft or other cybersecurity subjects. Our cybersecurity team is 24/7 at your service.

Jargon Buster

Phishing– a fraudulent attempt where the attacker impersonates as a trustworthy entity to obtain sensitive information via digital communication.
VPN – Virtual Private Network is an encrypted connection across a public network that provides online anonymity.
Antivirus – is a program that helps a device prevent, detect, and remove malware.
MFA– Multi-Factor Authenticator- an authentication method that requires the user to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to their data.