So. You have really tough passwords, you set up a firewall on your computer’s Internet connection and you only do business online at secure sites. You’re feeling pretty good about your safety against identity theft.
Think again.
If you have a smartphone or tablet, you could still be at risk. Millions of people use smartphones and tablets to access the Internet and social media sites every day, and more than half don’t use a password to lock those devices.
Additionally, 50 percent of people fail to log out when they are done using social media sites like Facebook, and 66 percent said they use the same password for at least two accounts. About half of those using social media say they have included birth dates, educational background and e-mail addresses on their profiles.
But you can protect yourself from cyber theft. First of all, never open an unsolicited e-mail or attachment. Even if it is from a friend, it could contain malware.
Make sure you know what software you should use to keep your computer and wireless devices safe. Always keep your anti-virus and spyware protection updated. Use different passwords for each site you visit, change your passwords often, and make them difficult. Use upper and lower case letters, symbols and numbers.
Don’t share personal information online, and don’t give your passwords to anyone. When it comes to sharing information of any kind online, use this as your guide: When in doubt, don’t.
