Keeping your personal information safe can reduces your chances of identity theft. It could be achieved through 4 main steps: be aware of who you share your information with, keep your data safe and dispose of securely, particularly your SSN; ask for clarification before sharing your data; and keep your security software updated on your systems and devices. Even though ISPs are working on making their services as secure as possible, hackers could still intercept. Nonetheless, big ISPs are operating 24/7 to help customers with any type of issues they face. For instance, you may reach to spectrum business support whenever you feel like something is wrong with your connection to get it fixed instantly at any hour of the day.
Keeping your info secure Online
Make sure you know who is getting your personal details. Don’t give personal information on phone call, by mail or on the Internet without you knowing who you are dealing with. If a company tells you that they have an account with you, please do not click on the links in the email. Type the name of that business into your web browser, enter their website, and contact them through customer support. Alternatively, dial the contact number stated on the account statement and ask if the company has sent any application or requires details.
Dispose of Personal data safely
Get rid of the sensitive details that you hold before you decide to throw off your old system. Use a tool to erase the entire disk with format features. When disposing of a cell phone, look for guidance about how to delete details at any point and about how to save or transfer details over to a new device on the owner’s manual, service providers’ website or system manufacturer’s website. Remove the mobile device memory or subscriber ID (SIM) card. Delete the phone book, mailboxes, voicemail messages sent and collected, directories for the database, the background of site search and images.
Data Encryption
Keep your web browser safe. Using encryption tools to scramble details you submit over the internet to protect your electronic purchases. Always look for the “lock” icon in your internet browser’s status bar before submitting your information. The ‘lock’ ensures that your info would be protected.
Keep Strong Passwords
Use strong / random passwords for your laptop, credit card, bank accounts and other assets that are hard to be guessed. Be creative: think of a special sentence and use your password with the first letter of each word. Replace a few words or letters with numbers. For instance, “I want to visit Honolulu City” might be 1W2vHC.
Stop oversharing your details on Social Media
When you upload so much details about yourself, an identity hacker is able to locate your life information, using it to answer challenging questions in your accounts and to access your money and personal information. Try restricting exposure to a limited number of people on your networking website. Don’t disclose your full name, social identity, complete address, telephone number or account number in publicly opened sites or social media platforms.
Keep Your Social Security Number protected
Keep strong hold of your social security number and pose questions before agreeing on sharing your social security number. Ask if any other sort of ID would work. When someone requests that you or your child share your SSN, you may ask the following questions:
- Why is it needed?
- How and when is it going to be used?
- How they are going to secure it?
- What if you don’t want to share it?
It’s down to your decision if you want to share it. Some companies may not offer you services or perks unless you agree on sharing your SSN. In those cases, you will have to share your number only if you feel confident about the company. To pay and tax filing purposes the boss and financial entities require the SSN. If you apply for a loan, a company can ask for your SSN to validate your account, similarly for renting a house or a car.
Keep your devices secure
With all these safety measures to stay secure online, you need to keep your devices secure as well. Install anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall applications. Set your options to periodically upgrade such safeguards. Secure your device data or password from intruders and viruses by downloading security updates for your OS and other applications. Don’t open files, links, or download foreigner programs. Opening an unknown file could make your system exposed to a computer virus or spyware capturing your password or other information you type.
About Nick
Nick is a Software Engineer. He has interest in gadgets and technical stuffs. If you are facing any problem with your Windows, feel free to ask him.