What do you do to protect yourself from online fraud or identity theft?

Question

In order for computer users to transact with confidence online, it has become increasingly important for them to protect personal and confidential data like their passwords, credit card numbers and account information. What are people doing to protect this valuable data?

Answer 1

This is a very broad question so I am going to give you what I think are a couple of the easiest most effective things you can do to protect yourself.

The #1 Rule is that you are the best anti-fraud and identity theft system you can buy. An educated user is far more effective than any software.

+THINK! Think twice before entering or submitting any information for any type of offer on-line. If it sounds to good to be true, especially if it is unsolicited it is likely to be a scam. Research any company before you submit information. A website alone is NOT proof a company is real. One example is the recent surge in scam sights targeting job seekers. Prospective employees who are more than willing to enter all of their personal information for an opportunity to get what sounds like a dream job.

+Absolutely do not use the same password for all your accounts. Almost everyone I know does this. This means that one compromised account compromises all of your accounts. Remembering all of those passwords could be a nightmare but there are solutions. Check out KeePass, it is an open source (translate to free and trustworthy) secure password storage solution that you can carry around with on an $8 memory stick from the little bin at the register in Staples.

+Secure your wireless home network. I say again, secure your wireless home network.

+Do not conduct ANY transactions with sensitive information open wireless networks unless you have implemented some sort of secondary security measure such as a secure tunnel through a trusted provider.

+Finally, keep your anti-virus software up to date.

There are many other more complicated things you can do but online security is like security in any other context. There are so many people that are completely unprotected that all you have to do is be a little more protected than the next guy. If your car has an alarm and his doesn't the thief will steal his first.

And DON'T be afraid of the internet. Your bills in the trash can were just as much of a security risk as your cache in your browser. Enjoy the convenience of the digital world but always be wary of predators looking to take advantage of naive newcomers.

Answer 2

Thank you for this question. Since I am somewhat new to the internet, I have learned quite a bit just reading some of your responses.
I will share what I have learned on my own so far, and as someone else said - online is not the only form of identity theft.
The primary piece of information I protect the most, is my Social Security number. I don't even list it on my driver's license.
As far as the internet, I have used a couple of free services that scan for threats; I don't open emails that I've never heard of (especially if there is a free offer I didn't request); I use case sensitive passwords that are strong; I change my passwords frequently and protect my usernames by not giving them out except to family & friends, and I do not duplicate them. Also, when I've ordered things online, I didn't use a credit card or check, but a money order instead.

Answer 3

To realise what confidence in the Internet you should have overall, take some time to read up on the encryption techniques used by the industry. If you don't get a headache after the first couple paragraphs or equations, you're not mortal, you're a super-geek-alien like those employed to do that math--and should call them to apply for a job.
If you are mortal like the rest of use and are still worried about security, there are things you can do....
Yes, it is a pain to drive and get one, and then have to add money to the account for each use, but those pre-paid anonymous credit cards are a wonderful thing for any online transactions. Most places you will use it online can be called beforehand, given your information, and then all you have to do online is click a "information on file" type link. [I built the last two computers I have owned with parts purchased from an online supplier this way.] Plus, if the pre-paid card ever does get stolen, you're only out any money which may be on it--which is none if you only put money on it in the first place when you are about to make a transaction. Use your real credit cards only out in the real world where you can be at the place that runs it.
Another step, if your banking institution offers it, is to not do any online banking over the Internet. Phone modems still exist [or am I the only geek who remembers this :P], and some banks still have an 800 number [or maybe a local one] to call in with your MS Money or Quickbooks or whatever software you use. That way, no personal account information goes over the Internet. Internet information packets are very complexly encrypted, so there is only like a one in a billion chance of anyone other than the intended recipient intercepting the packet AND then decrypting it, but I just don't want to be that billionth try.
And, lastly, the hard part... excercise some mental effort and try to keep as little personal information on your computer as you can. Use your brainpower to remember things and then take the time to type them in manually as opposed to having some bit of software pull it from your harddrive where you have stored it for quick convenience.

Answer 4

I change my passwords often. I use a phrase for my password and after I've chosen the phrase I reverse it. Such as "my dog rover" becomes "revorgodym". We only store a credit card in Amazon and PayPal and we have one certain card that we use and we keep only a $500 limit on it. That way if anyone ever does get access to it they can't charge over $500. Usually it would be less than $500 because we already have used part of the balance anyway. I have one email account that is used only for PayPal. One that is used only for eBay and any other site that I purchase from. I have another one for anything I might sign up for online that doesn't involve purchasing and one that is just for my personal correspondence. It helps me recognize a phishing email disguised as something from eBay or PayPal when it comes into an account that isn't used for that purpose. I know right away it's a phony. I trash anything that I think is a phishing attempt and dump the trash right away. If I'm at a website that I'm not familiar with and I at all feel uneasy about sharing information then I don't. There's really nothing on the internet that I need so badly that it's worth risking identity theft.

Answer 5

I have used the Internet from the day when it was a Phone number dial-in to a Host computer. They were not interconnect like today. Never had a Virus, in the sence of troublesome. I got a Tracking Cookie! :-p
This is simple, but, requires some disiciplined thought.
Everythime I go to a web page I glance at the Address Bar. In time your Regular Sites you just know. May not be able to quote it, but, if it not show correct in the Bar you will know. Example: www.yahoo.com becomes www1.yahoo.com
www.google.com becomes www.goggle.com etc.
I use well known sites and after I visit a new site check to see what it did to my computer when I was there. If, it loaded a suspicious Java Script or file. I block that site and never return.
I NEVER open e-mail from people I not know. The people and business I know are in my Address Book, everything else go to Bulk and Trashed no matter how interesting the subject line. Also, if I recieve an e-mail from someone with an Attachment and they have not mentioned sending me a file I verify they did send the file. Example; guess about a year ago many people got a virus. E-mail and it send to everyone in the address book. Looked very legitimate. Said; I changed my e-mail and the new address is below. It was an e-mail in an .exe file???? No way! I ask my friend if she sent me a file and she said "NO". I told her to scan for viruses and she got the problem fixed.
Good Firewall is the first and best virus prevention. It keeps the computer from being an extended server or keylogger when we not know. Example; not long ago and it may still be happening. Someone get the ISP of providers then goes around trying to come in the back door of people connected to that server. With a good Firewall, everyone I knew just seen it was being blocked. I looked it up on the Inet and that how I knew what it was. Told them to tell the ISP provider and maybe they take care of it. But, the Firewall prevented any problems.
That about it. Do the above and a person almost not need a Virus Software. But, it provide a second opinion.
Then your identity is as safe as possible and you only have to worry about the people working for the places you do business. Example; my brother got a new credit card. Not long after he recieved a very large bill. Turned out an employee had used it before he got it. ;-)

Answer 6

Hi,
Well nowadays the payment websites are getting more secured due to various strong encryption process while sending confidential information over the net. And banks like HSBC have come up with a small hardware key chain which generates a security code when transacting, which is a double security to customers whose passwords have been hacked. Coz the security code is a random value and keeps on changing every time. And if u feel ur keys may be logged while transacting then u can use the on screen keyboard which will prevent trapping of keys pressed during transacting. Also one should avoid copying the credit card numbers and passwords in clipboard (ctrl+c and all) coz some viruses stores the clipboard contents which may be harmfull.

Answer 7

One must have an genuine Operating System and update it frequently, say atleast once a week. Daily if update is more better, but I think people are lazy to do that. Also the spped of the internet and the computer's processing speed also does matter.

Then one must have a antivirus system, firewall windows based is already enough, then a adware spyware remover tool which like Microsoft offers Windows Defender, so these things are more enough for the security of the online world.

One must frequently update antivirus, firewall settings should be monitored, then the windows defender program too frequently updated and scanned once a week or for better results on a daily basis.

And when it comes to online shopping, we must be extra careful before making a purchase, we must email and check with them, how safe is our purchase orders gonna be transacted. Checking, double checking what safety standards and features, and certification technologies they have got before making a purchase or an online transaction is better. We must also not share important banking informations via instant messaging.

So then disabling the remember password should be done, so when we use especially on a public computer then none will be able to know our secret data.

I think these are the things which will help people to protect their valuable data. If they do this, I can guarantee and I think so, based on my own personal experiences until now, that they can experience 100% safe and secure cyberspace surfing.

Answer 8

Good & very helpful question! Now a days the fraud & identity theft are increasing a lot. I feel when you are doing any transactions or providing Credit Information to any of the web sites, kindly check whether it has a Secured Socket Layer, when ever you access sites you will see a SSL symbol with a closed lock meaning that site is secured. Also before you go further contact the site & clarify as most of these kinds of sites have online help & Support.
Now about your password, it is always suggest having a password of at least 8 digits with alpha numeric, never give your password to anyone or disclose it in chat or E-mails. Try to keep changing your passwords at least ones a month. If you are accessing the Internet from a Cyber Cafe, then see that you will delete all the Cookies & Temporary Files before you logout from the cafe. Most important never believe an E-mail related to financial matters very easily. Cross check with the web site if it is a real email.

Answer 9

That way if anyone ever does get access to it they can't charge over $500. Usually it would be less than $500 because we already have used part of the balance anyway. I have one email account that is used only for PayPal. One that is used only for eBay and any other site that I purchase from. I have another one for anything I might sign up for online that doesn't involve purchasing and one that is just for my personal correspondence. It helps me recognize a phishing email disguised as something from eBay or PayPal when it comes into an account that isn't used for that purpose. I know right away it's a phony. I trash anything that I think is a phishing attempt and dump the trash right away. If I'm at a website that I'm not familiar with and I at all feel uneasy about sharing information then I don't. There's really nothing on the internet that I need so badly that it's worth risking identity theft.

Answer 10

I am not telling you any of my secrets, but, I will say this: anyone who uses a password that is a word is stupid, always use letter, number, and other combinations for passwords. Never let a credit card out of your sight at a restaurant, with the little cell phone cameras, it is to easy for someone to get the numbers. Change your passwords often. Do not use the same passwords for multiple accounts at on-line stores. Set up an on-line credit account like Pay-Pal who is responsible after you make an on-line purchase and who always notifies you if your credit card is used. Purchase and use a credit monitoring service. Never ever put your social security number on line unless you initiate the information. Such as filing your income taxes on line. Even this is scary because of all the information you give out when you do that. Do not put your passwords and social numbers in a computer file. If the computer is stolen your out of luck. If you have ever seen the Discovery show It Takes a Thief, you will see they always take the lap-tops or other computers if they can. There is more of course, but I cannot let you have all my secrets.