There are certainly many large agencies out there that will assist with identification security, but most cannot easily afford these services. So what are some other options? We examine 5 powerful ways to protect your own identity without paying for the services of a large agency.
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1. Get a Good Firewall and Antivirus
It can be tempting to use free
antivirus programs or even risk running none at all. Trust us, neither is a
good idea. Do your homework, and research on reviews of a product you can
afford. This will be well worth it in the end.
2.
Cycle Passwords
Because there are people with unlimited
time and resources aimed at getting your personal info, it is never a good idea
to keep a password for too long. The more often you change them, the better. To
keep up, try keeping a hidden text document on your hard drive, where you
record password info as needed.
3.
Check Site Credibility
Frequenting or transacting with a less
than reputable site can lead to viruses, malware, data and identity theft and
much more. If it is a .com site, what are its credentials?
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4. Look Out for Impersonators
Impersonation is one of the oldest and
most reliable tricks in the books for the bad guys. Impersonators may present themselves
in person, perhaps at your front door, acting as a survey associate or utility
worker. They can also present themselves over the phone or via mail, pretending
to be a social security worker, utility worker, DMV or IRS agent, and countless
others.
5. Responsibly Dispose of Information
Information about you is in the items
all around you. Shred unneeded personal documents. Keep personal notes and
paperwork secure. Empty phones and other digital devices of personal information
when not in use or when being disposed of, recycled, traded, sold, or even lent
out. Simple oversights of things like these can lead to serious consequences.
Post-Intrusion
If
your data or computerized devices do become compromised, there are many things
that still can be done in response. This, however, depends on the situation and
damages done. For example, a virus intrusion may seize your data and computer,
and then lock you out altogether. It doesn’t matter where you live, you should
look up specialists of data recovery to recover your drive contents and make them
available again.
These
are some of the best and most basic tips for personal identity protection.
Author: Vicky Hyde
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