6 Ways To Avoid Becoming A Victim Of Online Identity Theft

It seems nearly everyone is online these days

, and for many of us the internet is an endlessly fascinating place where the hours disappear in the blink of an eye. However, as wonderful as the internet is, it is also a place of impending danger. One of these dangers is identity theft, an ever growing problem that affects millions of people each year.

Despite the danger however, one can take action to minimize becoming a victim of internet cyber criminals.

Here are 6 easy tips to help you stay safe online and avoid being the next identity theft victim

1) Never reply to spoof e-mails

Spoof e-mails are messages sent to you by certain e-mail accounts asking for some personal details under the guise of verifying credit card account details, your online banking account account, etc.

Posing as credit card companies, banks, and online retailers like eBay, Amazon and PayPal, these e-mail accounts send you emails asking you to give them your information to verify account details or get something like a prize, discount, or special offer of some sort. Sometimes these spoof sites tell you that your account has been suspended or frozen until you verify the information.

Legitimate banks, credit card companies, and retailers will never ask their customers to send personal details over the Internet for verification purposes, claiming a prize, getting a special offer, or confirming entry into a sweepstakes drawing that you never even heard of.

2) Do not open files from unknown sources

Although it is tempting, never, ever open up a file sent to you from someone you do not know. Often these files are sent via instant messenger or as an e-mail attachment, but whatever the source, do not open it if you are unsure of who it is from.

Opening files from unknown sources may unleash viruses and spyware in your computer that will steal your personal information without you even knowing it. Furthermore, opening such files could cause serious damage or complete destruction to your computer!

3) Log into your sensitive accounts from your browser

Do not log on to accounts from links in emails or instant messages. This could lead to a spoof site where your identity may be stolen. Always log on to your online accounts by first opening a new browser window and typing the URL directly into the address bar. In this way you will go to the real website and avoid the possibility of going to a fraudulent website that can cause you harm.

4) Use secure servers

When you surf online, be sure you are on an encrypted or secure server. Why is this important? Because if you are on a secure server, an ID thief or hacker will have great difficulty trying to find your computer's location, because your URL and ISP are encrypted, and your server codes them as unreadable characters. Also, secure servers can filter fraudulent websites and spam e-mails before you can access them.

5) Disguise your online ID

Even though most of us like our names, do not use identities and domain names that will identify you. For instance, if your name is Ricky Smith, do not use rickysmith@mail.com or even rsmith@mail.com as your email address. Likewise, avoid using rickysmith or rsmith as a username as this can lead to someone finding out your real identity and perhaps stealing your personal information.

6) Use disposable e-mail accounts

When you make online purchases, join a newsgroup, or subscribe to mailing lists, it is always a good idea to use a disposable, free email account. By using disposable e-mail accounts, you can always delete the account if you suspect ID theft or you start getting a lot of spam. Keep your business and personal accounts for business and personal communications.

by: Jesse Whitehead

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