Living a private online life isn’t always easy, but it is necessary. Unfortunately, with data breaches and online tracking, your private financial and personal information are in jeopardy.
But there are ways to protect your online identity. Most methods are not difficult. The number-one way to secure your privacy is to be vigilant. Here are eight ways to protect you and your family.
Passwords Must Be Complicated
Most people know to use strong passwords. For example, not using a birthday or grandchild’s name is common sense. But how strong should a password be? Start with the length. Although eight digits is usually required, passwords should be 12 or more digits long.
They also should not be words but a series of unrelated numbers, letters, and symbols. Letters should be both capitalized and lowercased. It may be hard to remember, but the point is to keep a thief or their computer from breaking into your private information.
Don’t use the same password for everything, and change them often. Two-factor authentication will also go a long way in protecting you. It’s inconvenient, but so are the consequences of identity theft.
Don’t Share Online
Beware of sharing information online. This includes Facebook and other social media.
Posting information about your granddaughter’s birthday party on her big day, and sharing her age, is not a good idea. You’ve opened yourself and your granddaughter up to identity theft.
Avoid sharing information when filling out forms…
