One big risk of identity theft is that a crook might take out loans or open credit cards in your name and then never pay them. Your credit might be damaged before you even know what happened. You can take some proactive measures to reduce your risks:
- Set up a fraud alert with your credit card company to alert you each time a charge is made on your card.
- A credit freeze can prohibit someone else from getting a loan or credit card in your name.
- Put passwords on all of your devices to hinder instant access to your data. Make your passwords long and strong and use different passwords for different devices and accounts.
- Set up 2FA wherever possible. Update and patch your hardware and software regularly.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails with links or attachments.
- Never give personal information to anyone either on the phone or through email.
- Encrypt your data.
- Don’t overshare on social media sites.
- Read privacy policies and be conscious of your privacy settings on web sites.
- Turn off Bluetooth, location services and WiFi when not in use.
- Use a VPN when accessing public wifi.
Protecting your security and data should not be overwhelming. Take a few simple steps to help control your privacy in a manner in which you are comfortable.
Resources:
A Beginners Guide to Encryption
New Protections Available for Minors Under 16
The Ultimate Guide on How to Manage Social Media Privacy Settings